mLYK
GOOD CITIZENS ARE PROUD OF THEIR CULTURAL BACKGROUND
Kinderen in Amerika (II)
it seems that we are quite concerned with
our future here in the U.S. What then were our
motives when we came here? A better future
for ourselves and especially for the children.
Now that we are here, however, we would like
to reform its people to our own tastes and cul
ture and this is an impossible task.
At this time I may be able to offer some
suggestions. I believe that I am qualified to
do so. I came to the U.S. alone in 1949. Now
I have a family and a comfortable living here in
the U.S. As a citizen I feel that 1 am part of it
completely. I often did have the feeling that I
was a stranger and sometimes people look at
us (all immigrants) like newcomers (totoks) and
that i s understandable. The exploration of the
U.S. and especially the West was won with con
siderable bloodshed and many descendants are
proud of their heroic forefathers. Also, what
presently constitutes our high standard of liv
ing, to include motorcars, automatic washing
machines and dryers, are all products of Amer
ican ingenuity. Any criticism will be met with
natural resentment.
Therefore I would suggest that we should:
1. Aim to be full participants in this
American culture.
2. Preserve our own cultural advantages
and Add to the great American traditions.
(And I believe that TONG-TONG is the only
medium to do this, from a cultural Association.)
Now, what our children is concerned:
Our children should look up to us parents
with respect to our cultural contributions in the
U.S. They should not feel that they are ashamed
of us because of some odd distance we want to
keep from other Americans.
Our children will have to take their place
in this nation as full fledged participants in
full and complete control of its language and
culture.
This should be our first concern.
If, in addition, we can develop in our
children a sense for specialization in line
with Dutch and Indonesian traditions, we
should encourage this.
TONG-TONG is the medium to emphasize
what our traditions are and what our culture is
and how we can contribute to the American
Society and especially publicize it.
For a personal example: Not too many
weeks ago we entertained officials in our home
in the government compound in Leupp. My wife
had fixed a simple "rysttafel" and we used a
batik sarong for a tablecloth. After dinner I
showed some color slides on Indonesia, em
phasizing Silverwork, woodcarving, Batik and
ricegrowing culture. I can say that the even
ing was highly successful.
- E. van Voorthuizen
E.v.V. stortte zijn verdiende $5.— in het
Representatiefonds (ATT No. 12).
