Steeler's Hines Ward Gives Back Worldwide

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward is known around the world as a highly talented and award-winning football player as well as an humanitarian and advocate for bi-racial children and adults. Ward was born in Korea to a Korean mother and an American father and moved to the United States when he was one.

He has said in numerous interviews that it was hard for him to find his identity while growing up in Georgia where his mother worked in the school cafeteria and struggled to learn English. He said it wasn't easy making friends. "The black kids didn't want to hang out with me because I had a Korean mom," Ward said in a New York Times interview. "The white kids didn't want to hang out with me because I was black. The Korean kids didn't want to hang out with me because I was black."

Ward, named the most valuable player in Super Bowl XL, has formed a foundation and serves on a presidential committee to help stop discrimination and bullying against bi-racial people. He helps sponsor children from South Korea to come to the United States each year to experience acceptance and love in this country, something that has been foreign to them in their homeland.
"It's a great culture," Ward said. "I love everything about it. But there's a dark side to that culture. And me, I'm trying to shed light on that dark side and make Korea a better place than it already is."

Being a leader in his community, in Korea, and on the football field, Ward has made his mother, Hung Ye Ward, proud and he serves as an inspiration to people around the world.

Ousted American Idol Is Child of Immigrants

Karen Rodriguez, the latest contestant to leave the American Idol show, is an American singer from New York City. Her mother is Perruvian and her father is Columbian.

Rodriguez sang songs in English and Spanish on the popular show. "I want to represent for all my Latinos out there," she said to an MTV reporter. "America is a big melting pot. It's not only English. There are many languages infused in this country and I just wanted to support my race. I have it in my blood. It lives inside me and I have to be who I am."

The combination of English and Spanish singing resulted in a much-quoted comment by rock star and judge Steven Tyler: "I love it when you break into your ethnic what-is-ness."

Rodriguez isn't the only one in her family disappointed by the outcome of the competition. Her mother, Elvira Rodriguez, had been featured on the show and during an interview said, "I live now in Karen. This is my best prize. This is my medal in my life. Don't like another prize, only my Karen."

When Rodriguez unsuccessfuly sang a song to try to get the judges to let her stay in the competition, she said she had really hoped to convince them - not only for herself but also for her mom.

Japan's Earthquake Touches Americans

I write this entry as rescue efforts are underway in Japan where the worst earthquake and tsunami have hit that country, killing and injuring thousands of people. Such a tragedy and I can only imagine the frantic and unanswered calls being placed by Americans who have relatives in that country. How can we not all feel connected to the unexpected loss of human life and to the Japanese and our fellow-Americans who love and worry about their relatives and friends there?

America is a Melting Pot that is filled with flavors from many countries and we are all connected to the fabric of this country and the others where many of our residents have descended from.

Much hope and many prayers for those who are so deeply affected by this tragedy!

Chicago's Mayor is a Child of an Immigrant

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel felt his ancerstors' presence when he was elected mayor of the Windy City.

He's the son of an Israeli father and a Chicago-born mother, herself the child of an immigrant.

The former White House Chief of Staff for President Barack Obama, Emanuel is Chicago's first Jewish Mayor. "For me, as Rahm Emanuel, the grandson of Herman Smulivitz, who came to this city in 1917 from the Russian-Romanian border as a 13-year old to leave the pogroms, and son of Benjamin Emanuel, who came here in 1959 from Israel to start a medical practice, there's a personal sense of accomplishment," he was quoted by New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd after his historical victory.

Emanuel told reporters that he was humbled and gratified by his election. His former boss, President O'Bama, said he couldn't be prouder for his friend and fellow-Chicagoan.

There are many children of immigrants serving in elected offices in the United States. Like Emanuel, they know from whence their families came and are commited to giving back to America, a country they don't take for granted.