Rasa Ardys-Juđka, Editor
Perspectives
The Lithuanian-American Community’s Annual Board of Directors’ meeting (Tarybos Sesija) took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin between October 8th and the 10th. It held the usual fare of constructive criticism, new ideas and proposals, and discussions punctuated by debate. It was the standard meeting revolving around an emotional subject — keeping an ethnic culture alive and prosperous into the 21st century.
The rhetorical question, that is perennially brought up for all to recognize, wrestle with, then put away for later, centers on the seeming demise of chapters across the United States. I say seeming because those active members who have spent most of their lives working to maintain the Lithuanian-American Community’s focus have witnessed their chapters shrinking with time. People move, pass away, or just decide to take a few years off from the activity planning and participation. Reality is that chapters are seeing smaller and older communities. But is it really reality?
It is interesting to note that more and more current immigrants from Lithuania are showing up on America’s shores. Some families wind up near the older, established Lithuanian communities. They take the time to mingle and eventually take an active role in the countless events and activities.
Then there is that percentage of immigrants that enters the U.S. and “disappears“. There is an old Lithuanian saying, “Where there are five Lithuanians, there will be a community.” That “disappearing” group of newly arrived immigrants want the same thing as a typical American family wants — a safe, healthy lifestyle with good schools to help them give their best to their children. They are not disappearing from view. We just don’t know where to look.
So, the question is not what should we do for our shrinking Lithuanian communities, but how can we reach those Lithuanian suburban communities? They’re out there; we just need the mechanisms to let them know that the Lithuanian-American Community is here whenever they need it.