Title: Boston Globe Across The Divide for January 07, 2007

" Thank you for downloading the podcast from the Boston globe. Welcome to cross the divide for the week of January 12. I'm -- a contreras in Boston with a selection of store highlight some people of color around. This week."

" Ladies legitimate excuse me great pleasure to introduce to you but governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. The bow out --"

" This week. Thank you this."

" Massachusetts make history this month's wiring in the state's first African American governor Deval Patrick taking office Patrick becomes only the second black governor in US history. He took his oath of office he's in the Bible African slaves from the -- John Quincy Adams. Washington DC the US congress was also making history by electing Nancy Pelosi speaker of the house she became the first woman and a time American to have a post. Speaker of the house by the -- is guidelines for the presidency according to federal law. What do these ethnic first really mean are they just sign of the times at a daycare more significance. Joining across -- to talk about this said that the court today is sociology professor at quinnipiac university Connecticut to market teaches race and ethnicity."

" I think first -- bought the celebration I think it's. It's a great celebration for community to see somebody particularly if your from your hometown it's a great celebration integrate -- is something that's very inspiring for the community interpret. What's possible if something that happens. Is in the hope that the doors are opening and that more equality and equality of opportunity is going to be available to them. But I think we need to be careful when these first happen. And not sit back on our laurels and think everything's going to be okay or use -- would still tend to be exceptions to the rule of what's happening with minority communities. In in the US so I think other community groups can look to this for inspiration at the same time I'm hoping this sparks a critical to me. In what minority groups need to do to gain more access institutions of power. Now there is a -- of pride amongst various ethnic groups when he had their first that. Is also a dangerous place I think there is I think there's a danger from non minority groups and being complacent when they see this people look at these high profile victories. And and again think everything's going to be okay now everything is equal now but the danger is that it could cause people to think that we're done. And that there's no more critical discussion that needs to take to take place so I a at my fear is when we celebrate this. That we also don't back this up with a critical discussion what more needs to be done."

" Now these first sometimes they come in with it's a lot of pressure to solve a lot of problems I think -- Natalie that our own. And then we create is there some times unfair burdens placed on these people who who break the glass on the first time."

" I think it's it's a bit unfair. They there in an institution that has been in existence for a long time it has its bureaucracies it has its rules as its. Norms and and its own meanings in terms of how things are done and I think. They have to work with in that system we we see that we're only here on Barack Obama talking about. You know is he going to be -- savior now that he comes in he's also talked about this and he's going to do the best and I think. For all these cases we need to let them do the best they can. And remember that there working within an institution. That has been reais five with its own rules and norms. And there's going to be limitations to that but by and large I think they do have a a bigger responsibility and if they want to be a public office they need to embrace that as well. What goes on in the these various ethnic groups and Clinton knew when you have a personal conversations reflect upon nations to have. I think for me and you know being part of the lacking a population. Com and just having my own anecdotal conversations with my friend they think there is a moment of celebration. We are very excited about a first happening achieving a level of leadership in a community or in an institution that. Has barred us for so long but I also think there's a point of reflection I also think there's the flip side of that celebration and the realization that why has it taken so long. And why is this the first and love at first -- to be celebrated I mean there's also a bitter reflection on. The past inequalities the doors have been shot and to think that it's 2007 and they're still we're still breaking the we're still breaking the glass ceiling with so many first in so many areas of institutions that had needed a diverse voice for a long time"

" the that was -- Duarte sociology professor at quinnipiac university. Okay."

" Yes I had."

" This is across the divide. The last Patrick sound -- from his inaugural address but it was from one of his many inaugural celebrations. Let me explain. After the new governor was one and he sought to expand his festivities back holding regional opera parties. That way according to the new governor he could personally think supporters who don't necessarily live in the Boston area. Across the divide went one of his part to see what was going on. This was held in the -- valley in north end over."

" it is Deval Patrick was sworn in as governor took his inaugural party on the road. His first stop was -- back college's north Andover. They're supporters gathered listening to Jack Spanish cost them. Like his grand celebration -- in the night before the problems diverse cross any ethnic and class lines. -- high school teacher has it'll buy you out said he was happy Patrick all the parties and the valley because it is allowed as the -- supporters points to meet the governor face to face."

" change in the way of thinking bottle is to be -- want to boss them. Now the ones divorce rates that we probably of the need changes at it doesn't look -- I think he's showing all of they changed the real and boy did yesterday we'll this and -- racing outside. I think he's alive or and then meeting with the slogans that you -- the race. And spoke -- them according -- so that recently won't talk about government is."

" Among those attending the merrimack valley party was congressman Marty meet him. He came down in the after Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the first woman speaker of the house."

" Disaffected about Patrick is here tonight -- so much. Back he's he believes in inclusion he's reaching out every section not only the merrimack valley store. All of this state and I think it speaks volumes that way -- the company. What about that last it's no answer for people to help. Ideas he's going to look more people to step all -- it in and help the night I think is great message. And I feel good about it because I don't in the back -- believe -- help."

" after walking into the room with supporters swarming him Patrick made its way to the states to think supporters. Yeah."

" Yeah we'll. We'll work out."

" He also reminded them that a lot of work still lies ahead. He still needed their support. It's."

" Because it's gone. You'll for the Boston globe. This is Russell contreras and and over."

" it's just. Off today at a Boston globe podcast please visit Boston -- activities with another episode of across that divide for the Boston globe it just took pictures of Texaco. It"