Author Archive for Editor
Listening to the Next Generation >> Mary Alexa
Just because only one parent is Greek, that doesn’t mean you’re not Greek. People try to tell me that, and I’m like you have no idea what you’re talking about.I go to Greece. I can speak the language now. I know the customs: the food, the music, the dances.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Nick
I keep up mostly with major events concerning Greece like: the Macedonia issue, Turkey possibly joining the European Union, and the United States needing Turkey politically. That’s all important to me because that’s political and relevant for me as an American. It’s a different side than most Americans see.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Katherine
Some people don’t know their cousins or their aunts and uncles. But for us, knowing that your family extends to more than just the people that live in your household, is a given. Our relationships reach farther than maybe more than just the people who you are blood-related to.
Listening to the Next Generation >> William
When I look at my Greek grandfather, who is now in his early 80s, I never forget what he told me about immigrating to Canada with 38 dollars in his pocket. I look at what he’s accomplished and feel that if I turn out to be half the man he is, I’d consider myself lucky.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Cara
I do want to go back to Greece soon. But I don’t know whether that’s going to happen right now with school and everything else. But every day, I wear my evil eye bracelet or something to remind me of Greece. So I’m always connected to the culture if I’m in class or with family.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Michael
My attitude of being Greek is like if I’m walking anywhere in San Francisco and I hear Greek being spoken, I’ll get excited. I’ll ask that person, “Are you Greek?” Then, I try to start a conversation. Not anything excessive but just like friendly small talk. They’re always happy and they smile.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Elise
If there’s an issue, especially if I’ve heard about it in mainstream American news, I’ll go online to read the Kathimerini newspaper and see what the Greek perspective is. Even if it’s not an issue about Greece, I like to get the different perspective on world issues that you can get from Greek news.
Listening to the Next Generation >> John
My pappou [grandfather] has always influenced me in a positive manner. When I am in school, he tells me to do my work, “diabase paidi mou” [study my child]. He knows that his parents came over and persevered in order to make a life for themselves in America.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Adam
I see Greekness as a part of Middle Eastern culture, Mediterranean culture. So although I haven’t made Greek friends, I have made Turkish friends, Egyptian friends, Italian friends, and Spanish friends. I have been to Morocco where I talked with many people. I see real similarities in the way people approach life and values.
Listening to the Next Generation >> Vasiliki
“One of the first things I told my roommate was ‘I’m Greek, and just beware…’ ”
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