Clearly Austin is a city that is experiencing a change in its landscape – its landscape of people, that is.

Wednesday, December 13, 2000

Clearly Austin is a city that is experiencing a change in its landscape – its landscape of people, that is.

In the two weeks that I have been here, I have attended several meetings that have focused on dealing with the changing ethnic climate. Each has been unique, but all have stressed the need to foster understanding. Amen.

I am far from being the most politically correct or forward-minded individual, but I believe that there are two truths that I have learned – spotlighting differences is the road to division and ignoring differences leads to naivete. Yes, they seem to contradict, but I think in truth these two ideas work in conjunction nicely.

Let me give you an example. If all of my ethnic components were extracted and lined up in my apartment, I would have quite a war on my hands. I am Irish, English, German, Scottish, Norwegian, American and American Indian. My ancestors fought against each other for centuries, on many fronts. If I didn’t like myself so much, I’d hate me. (Snort)

I was born from conflict, misunderstanding and traditions of ethnic cleansing, as were many of you, I suspect. But those periods taught the world something and for all their hideousness, they are just as important as the periods of peace in history.

In discovering whom my ancestors were I have had to come to terms with what they did. That realization brings humility. Yet if I can exist in relative harmony with myself, with so much conflict and history coursing through my veins, Austin can too. Can’t it?

I’m all for bringing people together to understand each other. I’m excited by some recent reports I’ve heard of the undertaking of translations of information in order to inform ALL Austin residents about the services this town has to offer.

This means that people in local positions of power recognize that acknowledging diversity enriches Austin. That is a huge step to the success of integration. I mean tossed salad integration, not melting pot integration. In a tossed salad, the cucumber doesn’t become the tomato; it simply coexists with it to make something tasty with ranch dressing.

I hope that people of all backgrounds continue to come to Austin. My greatest wish, however, is that all of us learn to listen to their voices. Too many historical misunderstandings have been caused by mistranslations, stereotypes and ingrained prejudices. History doesn’t have to be repeated if we can each make a concerted effort to try to understand each other.

I can’t promise I won’t mess up on occasion, but I plan to continue to try to stretch my understanding of the people in the world around me. I’m pleased so see that some people in Austin are already leading the way.

Here’s to an eternally evolving Austin!