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MAY 2004 Eccnewsletter@Yahoo.Com VOLUME 1 NO A newsletter of the Eritrean Community of Greater Boston MAY 2004 [email protected] VOLUME 1 NO. 8 inspiring. Prematurely perhaps, I envisioned the EDITORIAL provision of relevant services and activities that could be held at the community center. Luckily “In and through community lies the salvation 1 shortly after my arrival in Boston I was put in of the world”. contact with Boston-based Eritreans that were already well on their way to breathing life into Community. The word used so the community center. Amidst the current frequently that as an Eritrean I’ve begun to turmoil these individuals saw the importance in wonder what it means, locally in Boston, redeveloping the community center as a site of nationally, and diasporically. The migration of empowerment for Eritreans in the greater Boston Eritreans to metropolitan cities throughout the area. In the past year we’ve witnessed the United States started about thirty years ago and emergence of computer classes, this newsletter, continues today. In this period we have a regular tutoring program, and successful transformed into a population comprised of youth-led events. Eritrean immigrants, first generation, and second Yet recently, I’ve come to realize that generation Eritrean Americans. Critically the development of the community center cannot thinking about what the Eritrean community rest in the hands of a few active members. Our means to all of us is essential to our personal and identity as a diasporic group will require the collective growth. efforts of every member of our “community”. The importance of community is Every skill, proactive viewpoint, and level of inescapable. We commune naturally, through participation is welcome and essential to the social and organizational affiliations. Not to growth of our community center. So I encourage oversimplify the subject but we often commune every Eritrean or individual associated with the based on cultural, spiritual, and intellectual Eritrean population to take an active role in the commonalities. When Eritreans refer to “the future of our community and our center. It is community” in Boston, they are often referring imperative that we go beyond recognizing it as a to the geographical meeting place rather than a possession and question how it serves, web of social networks connected based on represents, and empowers us as Eritreans in cultural identity or interests. As a place the Boston. community center is symbolic of our existence What does “the community” (Eritrean as a distinct population in this city and region. Community Center) represent to you? What is As a first generation Eritrean American its significance to your family, your children? and California native my first reaction to the What activities would you like to see take place community center in Boston was amazement. I at the community center? Let your ideas and regarded the facility with childlike enthusiasm. vision propel you towards action. The fact that Eritreans in the Boston area owned a facility, sufficient in size and functionality was By Naomi Bitow 1 M. Scott Peck, The Different Drum: Community ____________________________________ Making and Peace, 1998. FINANCIAL TIMES: Unmasking Dow Jones Celebrating Thirteen Years of Independence May 24th 2004 By Girmai Bokre Kahassai Happy Independence Day! I am sure most of us get confused when we hear the words "DOW JONES". We hear mention of them on a daily basis through television news, radio, and print media. For ERI-VOICE is a monthly publication of the those of you that have ever wondered what it Eritrean Community Center Inc. of Greater means and are still not quite sure, the following Boston. article will provide a brief history and explanation. Executive Committee of ECC What is Dow Jones? Solomon Habte-Michael, Chairman Girmai Bokre, Secretary The Dow Jones Industrial Average Michael Wolde-Hawariat, Treasurer (DJIA) is one of several industrial component stock market indices created to gauge the Editorial Committee performance of the of America's stock markets. Belai Tewolde It takes the average daily performance Naomi Bitow of 30 selected individual companies and gauges Rahwa Asmerom them every business day at the close of the stock market. These are the values that are often Section Editors reported on televisions news programs. Health - Naomi Bitow The following companies are among the 30 Finance - Girmai Bokre Kahassai individual components of the DJIA: • American Express (financial services) • AT&T (telecommunications) • Coca-Cola Co. (beverages) • General Electric (electronics, financial services) • General Motors (automobiles) • Home Depot (retail, specializing in home improvement) • International Business Machines (hardware, software and services) 2 • J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. (financial June 4, 2003, the average closed above 9,000 services) Six months later, on December 11, 2003, the • Johnson & Johnson Corporation average closed above 10,000 (pharmaceuticals) Last month it was in the range of 10,500 • McDonald's Corporation (fast food franchise) Hopefully this article has given you a general understanding of the Dow Jones. If this • Microsoft Corporation (software) article has left you with any questions feel free to contact us at [email protected] • Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (retail) • Walt Disney Company (entertainment) PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Historical Progression of DJIA Meetings, Decorum, and Change On the day DJIA was created in 1884 the value of the DJIA was : 100 November 14, 1972 the Average closed above 1,000: 1,003 By Belai Tewolde During deliberations at the second November 21, 1995 it closed above 5,000: to the last Annual General Meeting of the 5,024 ECC last month, we witnessed an intolerable lack of discipline when some members came March 29, 1999 the average closed at: very close to a fistfight that forced the untimely adjournment of the meeting. Over 10,007 the past year seasoned elders and veteran May 3, 1999, it closed at: members of community as well as relative new comers have been equally guilty of this 11,015 violation. Before I set out to explain the January 14, 2000 the average closed at an the sequence of events, and the appalling all-time peak: circumstances of that evening, it should be 11,723 pointed out and made clear that we should be steadfast not to let the course of the ECC By mid-2002 however, it had returned to its be determined by those intent on creating 1998 level: disorder and destruction. 8,000 It has now become apparent that there are a small number of people who will leave no October 9, 2002, the DJIA bottomed out at its stone unturned to intimidate others and lowest close: stall all progress at the ECC. Equally important is the dedication 7,286 and courage shown by some members who 3 tried bringing order to the house by meetings could start promptly and proceed separating those involved in the brawl. I am efficiently. sure there are many members that would Finally, the leadership of the ECC like to express their gratitude to them. should be commended for the course of Although an account of the action it took. Although the constitution of incident and the method the Executive chose the ECC contains provisions to deal to deal with it was discussed at the meeting decisively with such behavior, they choose a fortnight ago, it is important to revisit the to take a more conciliatory and non- incident so that many on the outside could confrontational approach. In the future, have a clear and accurate picture of what however, they should take immediate transpired. Midway through the meeting measures to strengthen security and protect when some members were leaving the hall a our members from harm at the hands of member who was sited close to the exit door individuals with a history of violent and uttered some words that they found disruptive behavior. Detailed contingency offensive. One of the offended individuals plans should be put in place should similar then pleaded with the Executive that such disorder arise in the future. conduct needed to be restrained. Before the Executive could react, however, a few ____________________________________ members took matters into their hands and started exchanging insults at each other VIEWPOINT: across the hall. Instead of letting the Executive investigate the incident and act Ambassador accordingly, they added fuel to the fire by By Traci M. Spencer shouting and cursing at the top of their lungs. What caused us extreme discomfort A dry, dusty day in August greeted and unease was when a member let out a me on my first day in college. Well, not mouthful of vulgar, hostile, demeaning and really college, but the summer bridge humiliating outburst. program that promised to acquaint me with My intention is not to apportion college life and encourage lifelong blame, but to indicate that even when friendships. I carefully unpacked my stuff, situations become tense we should refrain with Puff Daddy’s “No Way Out” CD from engaging in conduct that offends the blaring in the background. A stranger dignity and decorum of the entire bounded into my room and simply asked me membership. You would be surprised how a what my shoe size was. As she awaited my courteous and respectful approach during reply I examined her face: tan skin, deep-set debates would pay off. Last meeting is a eyes, smooth skin and mounds of curly hair perfect example. Win or lose, people swiftly contained in a tight bun. With equal debated issues cordially without any sign of simplicity I answered my shoe size, much to malice or spite. It should not be hard to her dissatisfaction at the difference, and she stand your ground for what you believe in walked away. That is how I met my best without getting into a shouting match. friend. Another issue that greatly I had no idea that we were any contributes to disorder is the disregard for different, two young African American punctuality during scheduled meetings.
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