CHEER UP WORLD! NAMASTE!

By Juan Montoya

The smells and sounds of Asia and the Indian subcontinent permeated through the Ringgold community center at Dean Porter Park Saturday as the Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department kicked off the first segment of the World Cheer Multicultural Series.

Women in saris and men in traditional Indian dress milled around with visitors and member of the local Filipino community and international students to kick off the event.

"We're trying to build this up," said Parks and Rec Director Chris Patterson. "We're going to feature a different culture every quarter. This time we're featuring the Indian and Filipino communities. Next quarter we're going to display two different cultures. As of now, we think that the Japanese and Chinese cultures will be next."

Patterson said that many different cultures live side by side with local residents. Brownsville, he said, is more cosmopolitan and culturally diverse than many people think.

"We're going to showcase the cultures that live in Brownsville," he said. "We're thinking of including a Mexican exhibit as well to highlight the culture of the interior of Mexico."

The burgeoning medical, hospitality, and educational industries in Brownsville have attracted many residents from India, the Philippines and Asia. Many doctors from India have settled and set up their practices here. Filipinos are numerous in the medical and educational professions.

These cultures sometimes go unnoticed by local residents.

"That's our aim, to display the different cultures in Brownsville to our residents," Patterson said.

"We're aiming to create a holiday bazaar atmosphere so people can learn about these cultures."

Also participating in the event was the UTB's International Muticultural Student Organization. The presenters said that "international" right now means mostly Mexican, local students, and a smattering of Chinese students.

Shrada Sojistra, from India, had a table displaying traditional Indian clothing and jewelry. She and her parents said they enjoyed the city's efforts to highlight different cultures in the city.

"This can only get bigger and better," she said.