Lillie Wolff Show: Slang and Cultural Expressions

Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:05 Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) a  non-for-profit organization founded in 2009
1:45 Sterling Heights, Hamtramck, Chadsey-Condon Southeast Michigan communities with Welcoming Michigan programs
2:05 seasonal farm workers workers who come to work a specific growing or harvesting season
2:43 hate crimes crimes committed against someone because of basic characteristics (race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, ability, etc.)
3:00 scarcity mentality the thinking that there isn’t enough for everyone
3:15 demographic shifts population changes (in race, religion, ethnicity, etc.)
3:40 acknowledge  admit, agree that something is true
3:44 ancestors  great-grandparents (and other relatives who came before you)
4:00 re-humanized giving back to someone their human qualities
4:48 Yemenis immigrants from Yemen
4:58 Polish and Ukrainian immigrants from Poland and Ukraine
5:35 descendants children, people who came after the earliest relatives
5:45 synergy the energy and effectiveness created between many people working together
5:53 existing platforms programs or models already in place
5:56 collaborative working together, cooperating
6:23 faith community…stepping up religious groups…coming forward to help
6:33 walking the walk actually doing the work
6:43 ESL students students learning English as a second language
6:53 intuitive connections logical connections, partnerships that make sense
7:15 strategizing planning for maximum effectiveness
7:23 leverage resources use all your tools and connections strategically
7:30 leadership development train leaders in the community
7:31 public engagement get local citizens involved
7:32 strategic communications get out the best message possible to the public
7:53 shifting target a focus that is always changing
8:05 non-immigrants people who always live somewhere (not newcomers)
8:40 South Haven, MI community on the west coast of Michigan
8:45 birthed 15 children had 15 children, gave birth to 15 children
9:45 literally opened up their home actually let people come into their house to sleep/eat
9:55 Hartford, MI farming community in southwest Michigan
10:05 walking the talk actually doing what you said
10:20 Ecuador country in northwestern South America
10:35 grooming preparing for a big presentation
10:36 forces aligning getting all groups coordinated
11:38 be on the fence be uncertain, could go one way or the other
11:45 meet them where they are work with people at whatever stage or mindset they have
11:50 on behalf of (someone) for the benefit of (someone)
11:55 get to know learn about someone, become better acquainted
12:05 heart and soul with deep feeling and commitment
12:15 transformative creating great change
12:24 advocacy working for someone’s benefit
13:25 www.welcomingmichigan.org Welcoming Michigan online
13:40 seen some struggles had some difficulties
13:52 bottom line final analysis, results in the end
14:00 cohesive…vibrant community community that stays united…that is lively, energetic
14:20 STEM fields high-tech fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), also high-paying fields
15:15 thrives lives fully, grows, flourishes, has energy
15:25 What’s in it for them? What is their reason? What will they gain?
16:05 compassion feeling of sympathy, warmth, caring, desire to help

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.