In this Earthmate talk show, Randy is talking to Dana about diversity in the Bay area.
- Randy: Hey Dana, so since you've lived in Japan and the bay area, how would you compare the diversity of people in the bay area as opposed to Japan?
- Dana: Well, I would say that this area is definitely one of the most diverse in the US, and so as a result, compared to Japan which is relatively homogeneous, you find a lot of diversity. Specifically, in the bay area, you find a lot of people from Asia, particularly Chinese, Filipinos, Taiwanese, Vietnamese etc., and also a lot of Hispanics from Mexico, and Central America.
- R: So how do you think that adds to the richness of the culture of the area, of the region in total?
- D: Um, I would say that it kind of exposes people to the different cultures, you know, if they're willing to open themselves up to that. And I think that as a result, you know, people are not – it's not weird to them, you know, if they try different types of food, they get exposed to different types of food. They pick up, you know, different kinds of cultural aspects that people bring into the mix.
- R: So personally, what would you say are the things that you value which you've learned from other cultures?
- D: What do I value from other cultures? Um, I would say that, it gives people maybe more perspective that you know, you're not just – that the US is not just the only country, you now that there are obviously other people out there and they may think differently than you. Not that whether it's wrong or right, but a different viewpoint. And so you get exposed to people who may not necessarily agree with you, but then you can say, well ok, I can understand that. Because, you talk to other people and you can kind of understand where they're coming from a little better. Cause I think that's a problem in the US sometimes. You know, Americans, you know kind of have that impression that the US is the best place in the world, so why do I need to know about anything else outside of the US. But, you know, if you live on the West Coast or on the East Coast, you know, you get exposed to people from other parts of the world, and I think as a result you know you kind of have a little better sense, you know, of what, how other people feel, how they view the world.
- R: So given a choice, would you ever move out of the bay area? If so, where would you live, and if not, why not?
- D: If I had a choice to move out of the Bay Area? If I wanted to live anywhere in the US I'd probably wanna stay in the bay area. If I were living somewhere else in the world, I've considered living in Japan in the past. I don't know, offhand, really where else I'd wanna live.
- R: Alright, thanks a lot for your time Dana, it was nice talking to you.
- D: No problem, thanks.