How Diversity Unites Us in the Lonely Modern-Day
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The central Midwest is often poked fun at for having no real culture beyond the word “ope” and casseroles. But it’s filled with people from all around the world who bring unique traditions and identities. From Germanic to Mexican to Indian heritage, there are thousands of organizations and institutions in the Midwest dedicated to bringing these cultural communities together.
Every group has its own unique language, food, art, and history, which can feel overwhelming at first with how much there is to explore and be a part of. But these organizations are touchstones in the fight for belonging and in bringing society together as a whole.
Tradition and Youth
For many cultural groups, the future of their traditions depends on how effectively they can teach younger generations about them. St. Paul, Minnesota, hosts a Czech and Slovak cultural organization called Sokol Minnesota, which is built around this mindset. The organization has existed since 1882, organizing festivals and youth educational groups that have helped preserve the heritage and traditions of the Czech and Slovak people while also sharing their culture with others.
“I really value the sacrifices that my ancestors made to come here, and I really realize how connected we are to the past,” says Louise Wessinger, a dance instructor and longtime advocate for Sokol Minnesota. “It’s really important to know your history, where you came from, and your family’s culture.”
It’s these historical ties to one’s culture that Sokol uses to create a sense of community and purpose in individuals. Through dance lessons, language groups, and yearly festivals, the organization promotes remembering and honoring the past.
But they never let themselves get stuck in it. They always look to the future to keep the spirit of the Czech Republic and Slovakia alive, especially through the youth. Culture is an ever-evolving thing, and to keep that sense of community alive, these groups must adapt to their surroundings while still maintaining their core expressions.
Wessinger was the first to bring up the idea of a youth dance group. To promote the beauty of traditional Czech and Slovak polka dancing, she brings kids closer to their culture through the power of dance and music.
“The children, especially those who have parents who immigrated just in the more recent years, it’s really important for them because it helps them to relate to grandparents they may have that still live in the Czech Republic or Slovakia,” Wessinger says. “It also helps them to help us keep the culture alive.”
Community Struggles and Adversity
But keeping any culture alive is a struggle. Finances, publicity, and marketing are just a few factors to keep in mind when maintaining any organization based on the expression and preservation of a culture.
These challenges have been amplified recently with the passage of anti-DEI bills such as Iowa Senate File 2435 (and Florida Senate Bill 266 outside of our region). These bills target public education, restrict DEI programs, and limit what can be taught in the classroom. And they might eventually target cultural groups in the future. Despite this, cultural collectives say they will continue fighting to stay alive and strengthen their communities.
Among them is the Latino Center of Iowa, whose mission is to promote Latino culture through education, leadership development, and art. Group leaders say members have voiced feelings of isolation when they don’t have community activities to remind them of home, and that a sense of belonging and unity is much needed right now, given the current political climate.
“The mission really is to bring awareness and visibility to the Latino and Hispanic culture that always has existed here in Des Moines, going back well over 100 years,” says Bret Sikkink, a board member for the Latino Center of Iowa. “To really shine a light on the people in our community, the great work that they’re doing, the cultural diversity that they bring to our area, and the stories that they have to tell about their experiences living as underrepresented, occasionally marginalized members of our community.”
According to Sikkink, the group has dealt with challenge after challenge, including a global pandemic, funding struggles, and low volunteer numbers. Despite the setbacks, they remain committed to hosting social gatherings and staying visible in the community.
The group is planning the yearly, free Latino Film Festival, where Latino and Hispanic filmmakers showcase their work to the public and express their cultural identity through both amateur and professional films. Still, Sikkink says, the group has seen a dip in sponsorships for the event and in cultural funds for the filmmakers.
“We’ve always been a free film festival, and we intend to stay a free film festival … but the money has to come from somewhere,” Sikkink says. “You know, all of those costs are just getting harder and harder to cover in this environment of people cutting back on cultural programming from diverse voices.”
Culture Through the Arts, Arts Through Culture
As the search for belonging through culture is threatened, art is often the tie that keeps these communities bound together. It’s a way for individuals to share their stories, celebrate their heritage, and feel like they’re part of something larger than themselves.
And that art can be anything. What makes that art a part of something larger than the artist is not whether or not it’s specifically cultural; it’s the fact that someone from that culture made it.
“I view art as an expression of culture and culture as an expression of people and communities,” says Kathy Mouacheupao, executive director of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. “Whether you explicitly identify as a Hmong artist [or not], your artwork will show some of your cultural heritage … You can’t have art without culture, and you can’t have culture without art.”
Mouacheupao advocates for the importance of the arts and the community benefits they bring within her Hmong community. Despite facing hardships, Mouacheupao says she knows that art brings people together and can be a powerful force for good.
“The arts are not finite; they’re expansive,” Mouacheupao says. “They touch all parts of our lives. They don’t just address social issues; they also help with economic development and community development. It’s not just a pretty painting.”
A Community Birthright
Every cultural community has so many forms of expression that it can feel daunting to take that first step in finding your identity within the group.
Culture is a beautiful thing. It’s the thread that binds you to time and history. It’s the origin of why you are where you are. It’s a community created around expression and connection. And you are inherently a part of it and its community by birthright. Everything you do represents your cultural community.
“I went to an open-mic event and had really low expectations,” Mouacheupao says while describing first getting involved in the cultural art community through the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent. “But it was all Hmong artists, and I went home in tears. I realized it was the first time I felt proud to be Hmong. I was about 23 years old at that time, and I just thought, it should not take anybody this long to be proud of their cultural identity.”
It’s Not Nationalism, It’s Heritage
People may be hesitant to show pride in their culture because we’ve all read the horror stories in our history books about when pack mentality goes too far. “Nationalism” is a common word used to describe people who believe their culture and traditions are superior to others, defeating the whole purpose of building diverse communities. But pride and passion are at the core of celebrating historical milestones, as well as having fun with people from similar heritage backgrounds.
Individuals can have strong feelings about their culture and who they are without being detrimental to other cultural communities. The beauty of it all is that we can appreciate the cultures we are part of while also appreciating the cultures we are not part of. This diversity in our communities, combined with having a collective to call your own, creates healthy societies that flourish in expression, activities, and connection.
In this era of disconnection, we can find solace in remembering our roots, expressing ourselves fully, and looking forward to how our culture will continue to change and adapt to the times. But regardless, it will still be the same community with the same feeling of belonging and pride.
So find the cultural communities you belong to, get involved, and fight to preserve other cultures as you would your own. Go to that festival, support a local artist, or try some new food, and see what culture can do for you.