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It's quite hard to believe that another year has already gone by. Actually, it's more difficult to believe that it's been 2 years since the International Interracial Association has been on-line. I'm happy to say that we're still going strong (thanks to all of you!) as we enter our 3rd year of existence. As always, I am very grateful to all of you who have helped IIA to become a true success.
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At the end of this, our second year, we have had a total of 16,180 visitors to our website. This past year, 10,668 people visited our website, as opposed to 5,512 visitors our first year - an increase of nearly 200%! Part of this increase can be attributed to the increasing growth rate of the Internet, but also part is due to the ever increasing number of interracial/cultural individuals, couples, families,
and those simply interested in interracial/cultural issues. We still have quite a long way to eradicate racism, but I think that we're making great strides and accomplishments...
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There is one thing that I'm gravely concerned about though. In reading over the posts in the "Helping Parents to Understand" Discussion Forum, which I have forwarded to my email account everyday, I have noticed that many parents of a particular ethnic group are disapproving of their daughters dating/marrying males of another particular ethnic group. I believe that the two groups which I am referring to will become apparent after reading only a few posts in the discussion forum. It is understood that each case is unique and that we only are exposed to one side of the argument (that of the child whose parents disapprove), but it does appear that one ethnic group is being clearly discriminated against. It is really sad because although the children respect and love both their parents and their partner/fiance/husband, the parents remain unaccepting and alienate their own children. In the 1990's, it is surprising that such attitudes and feelings still exist among these parents. Given this situation, I would just like to make a special request to these parents to give your child and the individual that he/she has chosen a chance. Do not disapprove simply on the basis of color. There are so many factors, race not included, that make up a person's worth, and overlooking these may mean overlooking the person who will most genuinely love and care for your most treasured possession...
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I previously mentioned one of IIA's discussion forums. This is only one of the many resources that are available on the website and which contribute to our overall operations. On our previous anniversary, I mentioned expanding IIA operations/scope by 1) establishing local chapters worldwide, 2) translating the website into different languages, 3) adding a survey, and 4) enhancing the overall look of the website. Although many people have showed interest in establishing a local chapter, we have yet to make this effort a realization, as many people become quite busy with their work and personal lives. I would like to continue to encourage everyone to take the initiative and start an IIA chapter in your community today! As always, I will provide as much support as possible to help you get started. If you're interested in forming an IIA chapter in your community, please email me today! In regards to translating the website into different languages, I am extremely please to say that we have received overwhelming support and the website is currently being translated into 5 different languages (Danish, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Turkish). Although not fully completed, IIA plans to make these international sites available beginning in January 1998. I would like to thank all of the translators for their time and continued efforts in helping IIA reach out to more people around the world. Regarding the survey, it has basically been completed, but the program to process the information still needs to be written. As for enhancing the overall look of the website, I have made major structural changes in how information is organized to 1) help you find what you're looking for faster, 2) allow for easier integration with the international sites, and 3) enable IIA to make more frequent updates to the website. Aside from these internal changes, IIA will adding new discussion forums, possibly adding a chat forum, posting more success stories, possibly automating the posting of events, and much more! Most, if not all of the proposed improvements, will be going up by Feb/Mar 1998, so sit tight!
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I wish I could offer you all lots more with greater frequency, but it's somewhat difficult managing the entire website alone. I'm trying my best with the very little time that I have in the evenings after work and on weekends. I would again like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the translators (Angelique, Ahu, Brigitte, Gabriela, and John) for helping out. If you are interested in helping out with translating or any of IIA's other projects, please email me! Thanks again, IIA Family, for a wonderful year! I'm looking forward to yet another great one with you all...
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