Filipino youth in ‘diaspora’

The Great Darke County Fair in Greenville, Ohio usually held in the last full week in August brings back so many fond memories. It is also a reminder that soon after, school begins. This year, it is the start of my last school year at GreenvilleSenior High School. No doubt, the year 2011-2012 will take pretty good space in my journal ending this one chapter of my life as I venture into the next.

There is something I am pretty sure will carry forward through many years to come. I have grown into this person that feels words in her heart and soul and who truly enjoys writing. I am very pleased that my recent article, “A Chapter in My Life” generated feedback from people across the country and on the urging of Mr. Bob Robinson, who gave my first newspaper writing assignment at age 9, and because of some feedback I received from readers, I’m writing a “Part 2”. It is more like a postscript to the original article.

One of the e-mails I received from Arlington, VA in response to “Part 1” reads, “I’ve not read Harry Potter, thinking it was best reserved for my grandchildren and because I had narrowed my reading material to what I thought mattered most at this stage in my life — retirement.  But your article seemed to nudge, no kick me on my side, saying, “Hey, try Harry Potter…you may yet discover new worlds…you may yet be inspired to take up another adventure….”

It is not always that I get a similar response. Sometimes I encounter adults that think, “There’s another kid just gushing with adulation over Harry Potter,” and not consider that it might actually be a great literary piece as well as a good teaching tool for young people about real lives. My friends and I have grown up beside his adventures and I have to believe that it helped shape us.  Even now, re-reading the already well-worn pages, I always find something new that sparks my reflection. Indeed, the series get better and better the more I read it.

I think that the Harry Potter is one of several books that are good tools for grandparents, parents, aunts/uncles to connect with the younger generation.  A couple of years ago, I managed to soften my dad’s stubborn refusal to give it a try and he initially agreed to listen to me read a couple of chapters.  I am glad to tell you that he has read the entire series and today, Dad and I get into a number of thoughtful and lively discussions about current issues and would sometimes make his point by quoting something from Harry Potter.

Reflecting on the above brings up a larger issue. In my mind modern technology can further widen the gap or promote increased communication between generations, depending on how we apply it. These days, too much texting messages instead of talking to one another takes place and it’s not just between two kids but between parents and their kids — and I wonder, if I may quote a new word I learned from the e-mail I received announcing the Global Summit September 27-29 to be held in Manila, are the youth today in “diaspora”?

(Elizabeth Horner is the new chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations Youth.)