Culture
A Global Community
As the forces of globalization bring our world closer together, an understanding and appreciation of other cultures is vital. Here in central Illinois, we honor and welcome diverse cultures—it’s part of what makes the area such a great place to live and work.
A MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
In today’s global society, understanding other cultures is not merely important—it is essential. Area companies like Caterpillar Inc.—recently ranked fourth among the top 50 places they’d most like to work by Minority Engineer readers—understand how important diversity is to our future—and to our present.
Caterpillar’s commitment to diversity has played a significant role in its success in the global marketplace. The company’s relationship with China continues to be a driving factor for future growth, with sales expected to triple by 2010. Cat also offers a number of employee affinity groups which facilitate recruiting and provide a network of contacts for employees.
Since 1972, the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC), an educational, non-partisan, nonsectarian organization, has worked to promote a better understanding of world affairs among area residents. Throughout the year, PAWAC organizes world-class programs and forums on various international topics, including its annual two-day Central Illinois World Affairs Conference, held each spring.
Founded in 1965, the Peoria Chinese Association is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Chinese culture and diversity in the Greater Peoria Area. With more than 1,000 members, the group coordinates major Chinese cultural events and offers a host of unique clubs and services.
A new outreach group is currently being formed to better meet the needs of the growing Hispanic community in central Illinois. The group will coordinate the efforts of current organizations that are already providing services to the community. Its main focus is to ensure that Hispanic families in need have access to area services and resources.
Numerous other professional and service organizations focus on international and cultural issues. Our local Rotary clubs address community and international service needs in order to promote peace and understanding throughout the world. Through cultural and youth exchange programs, the community is given opportunities to exchange information and ideas with cultural representatives from around the world.
The Institute of International Studies at Bradley University offers programs of study leading to a degree in international relations, as well as sponsoring lectures and events with an international flavor. Peoria’s Richwoods High School offers the acclaimed International Baccalaureate program, and last August, Peoria Public School District 150 welcomed five instructors from Beijing who will teach the Mandarin Chinese language and culture to students over the next two years. In addition, the Dunlap School District recently added Arabic to its foreign language offerings.
WEALTH OF DIVERSITY
Our many festivals and celebrations showcase the wealth of cultural diversity found in central Illinois. Throughout the year, our German, Italian, Greek and Native American heritages are celebrated with events sponsored by the German-American Central Society, Italian-American Society, All Saints Greek Orthodox Church and Seven Circles. From India Fest and Israel Fair to Erin Feis and Oktoberfest, the Peoria area offers cultural events to appeal to just about everyone!
Latino Fest, held in early August, provides residents an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about Hispanic culture. In September, the Civic Center hosts World Fest, an international exposition that rivals multi-cultural events held around the country. Thousands flock to World Fest each year to enjoy cuisine, music, dance and retail booths representing a wide spectrum of cultures from all over the world.
Peoria is also home to a vibrant Lebanese community—some 10,000 strong, including our own U.S. Congressman Ray LaHood. The Itoo Society, named after a small village in northern Lebanon, was formed in 1914 by a group of Lebanese immigrants. The group continues to celebrate its unique heritage with regular social and charity events, including its annual Itoo Supper.
The Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong, visited Peoria in April as a guest of Caterpillar Inc. The ambassador toured Caterpillar world headquarters, discussed U.S./China trade relations at a Rotary Club meeting and stopped at Lakeview Museum to see a scale replica of a building from Beijing’s Forbidden City, currently on loan from the Smithsonian.
Located at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie, the Peoria Holocaust Memorial contains 11 million buttons, each representing a life lost during the Holocaust. The memorial was the result of two years of work by dedicated volunteers who coordinated the collection of buttons and the funds to build the unique display.
In 2006, Peoria celebrated the 30th anniversary of its sister city relationship with Friedrichshafen, Germany. The city has two other sister cities in Clonmel, Ireland, and Benxi, China, and also adopted Biloxi, Mississippi, as a sister city to aid in its recovery from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Our sister city relationships provide an invaluable opportunity to exchange cultural ideas in a spirit of fellowship and friendship.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE
Peoria is proud of its tremendous African- American heritage, as reflected by The African-American Hall of Fame Museum (AAHFM), the Central Illinois Black Expo, African-American Chamber of Commerce and the Tri-County Urban League’s Black & White Gala. As a partner in Peoria’s new Riverfront Museum, the AAHFM will be able to expand its exhibits and collections.
A number of other projects are in the works to honor this heritage. The site where the Civic Center currently sits was once home to an abolitionist family who provided food and refuge to escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad. To commemorate Peoria’s role in this movement, sculptor Preston Jackson was commissioned to create the Underground Railroad Sculpture, which, when complete, will stand against the arena wall of the Civic Center. Jackson is also working on a seven-foot-tall bronze statue of native son Richard Pryor, to be featured in Peoria’s Museum Square.
The Heritage Ensemble, a community-based choir, exists to celebrate African-American history and culture through music. The group performs two major concerts each year, on the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and on “Juneteenth,” the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
The Ensemble’s “Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. King and reminds us of his dedication to serve and his impact on the world. It is part of Peoria’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Luncheon, an annual event held each January, coordinated by city employees and sponsored by ministers in the African-American community. Past speakers have included Danny Glover, James Earl Jones and Dr. Maya Angelou. Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King III, delivered an inspiring speech at the 2008 luncheon, and comedian Bill Cosby is slated to be the guest speaker for 2009.
Alma Brown, chair of the luncheon, explained, “I coordinate the luncheon because I want people to pause on the King Holiday and think about the mark that Dr. King has made on our country. I want people to think about the sacrifices that Dr. King made, including taking time away from his family and putting himself in harm’s way to promote non-violent social change.” The luncheon is followed by a Freedom March through the streets of Peoria, a commemorative service and awards ceremony. PP
