Author Archive for Editor
Listening to the Next Generation >> Amalia
There’s a monstrously large Greek flag above my bed. Pretty much all of my pictures in my room are from Greece. I like to have pictures of my friends in Greece and my family. I don’t see them all the time and I would like to remember them.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Steve
In high school, I really started feeling animosity from other Greek kids about being half Greek. My last name is not Greek, and they would tell me I wasn’t Greek. So that was kind of hard. How can you fit into a group like that if they’re exiling you?
Listening to the Next Generation >> Helen
I think that I associate hospitality with Greek culture, conversation, really taking time to savor things. Like spending a lot of time around the table and time over food.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Anthony
I’m in Astoria probably three to four times a week. That’s the place to be. I grew up there for 14 years of my life. So I always find a way to get there. My grandparents still live there. I like going to the cafes there. It reminds you of Greece in a sense.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Tania
I was in Greece over the summer and I brought my computer with me. It was funny because my cousins all listen to American music, but I listen to Greek music more. We loved each other’s music, so we just sat there one day and took our flash drives and traded music.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Michael
My catchphrase is “GR-AUSTRO-American.” Meaning Greek, Austrian, American. I wouldn’t say they are conflicting identities, but rather three overlapping identities that make me who I am. Because I’ve been educated primarily in the United States, and grew up primarily in this society, I feel more American than I feel anything else.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Georgia
When I came to Georgetown, my dad and I made a deal that I would have to take at least two full years of Greek because they don’t offer it at many universities. So I signed up for Greek and have since taken three years of intensive Greek.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Billy
My relatives in Greece don’t speak a word of English and I speak as good of Greek as a tourist would. So the basic communication we have involves body movements. They ask me if I want to eat, and then point to their mouths and food. Or if I’m thirsty, they gesture to a glass.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Marissa
Being at our house in Greece over the summer actually makes me almost appreciate the things that I have here and also makes me see that I don’t need them. I don’t bring my computer. We don’t really watch TV. It’s really crazy because you think you can’t live without your cell phone.
Listening to the Next Generation >> William
Most of my friends are not familiar with their heritage. If they are, it’s not a driving factor in their life. I and most other Greek Americans I know associate with it very strongly. I think it’s really enhancing to one’s life to be living in America and have a strong ethnic backbone.
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