By Ben Joravsky
The book is dedicated to the memory of Levin’s old boss, David Roth–an appropriate gesture, for his spirit breathes on almost every page. Roth was one of those remarkably diplomatic types who can find a good word to say about almost anybody, and as a result he had an amazing ability to get people from different backgrounds and conflicting ideologies to sit and search for reconciliation.
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“When Harold Washington ran for mayor things were pretty simple in this town. It was black and white–you know, us and them,” says Levin. “But it’s more complicated now. Where do Asians or Hispanics fit into that formula? Obviously they don’t. Obviously nothing is what it used to be, and we decided we needed a guidebook on Chicago’s changing ethnic communities.”
“Some foundations said, ‘Why bother? No one will read it,’” says Levin. “One funder, who’s pretty well established, said, ‘You’re too middle-class.’ I said, ‘Well, what are you?’ I still don’t know what he was getting at. He was speaking in some kind of code.
“Korean culture is hierarchical. Therefore, respect for elders is essential. When a person greets someone who is older, he or she bows and greets in a language befitting the elder. ‘Hi. How are you?’ in the American casual way would not be acceptable.” In Japan, “women’s names are generally those of flowers, seasons and sentiments, such as Haruko (spring child). Men’s names often refer to their numerical position in the family, like Goro (fifth son).”
“Myth: The Serbs are the only aggressors in the former Yugoslav territories and the only guilty party in the recent Balkan conflicts.
Who’s right in this debate? The book’s editors won’t venture an opinion. “We felt it was important for our writers to tell their stories as long as they weren’t saying something untrue,” says Linton. “I know there can be differences of interpretation. If you had talked to people from the north and south about the Civil War you’d get different viewpoints of what caused it.”
