Those t-shirt ideas sound so fun!

Ok folks, I'm spearheading a multi-disciplinary arts performance project about TCKs that will involve dance, film, theater, spoken word, music, photography, and visual arts. Since I'm based in NYC and NYC is voted #1 TCK-friendly city, I'm going to start here. My goal is to put on the production sometime next Spring and do little previews this fall. The project will involve many TCK collaborations and I'm very excited to be doing this. My goal is to take this show on tour (at least some of it) around the world. I hope you guys are interested in the project. Let me know if you would like to help out in some way or other. (It doesn't matter if you're in other parts of the world, we're TCKs we'll find a way to connect.) My email is alaine83 at gmail.com

Haha - the "Ask me where I'm from...!" t-shirts is a great idea. That might even get people to stop asking, because it might be too easy in a conversation to just ask the question that is already printed on your t-shirt : )
I could imagine a t-shirt with "Ask me where I'm from..." on the front, and something in the order of "Proud TCK" and something else written in all the languages that you identify with on the back.

I agree with Riss. I think that's a GREAT idea. Slightly ironic as well. We should do that! (or I'll just make my own)

That last idea made me laugh a bit because in university I seriously considered having a t-shirt made that said "Please don't ask me where I'm from." ! That gives me an idea though, what about a t-shirt that says "Proud to be from..." and then everyone could put in the countries they are from and perhaps the flags of those countries also. Someone would have to sell iron-on letters and flags though. Maybe a nice way to raise money for this website:)
Ana

How about a shirt that says: "Ask me where I'm from" on the front, and "proud to be a TCK" on the back?

Because I hate that question!!

And I suppose people could make a video of people doing exactly that--asking them where they are from and learning from them!!
....that could be dorky....but that's okay =)

And I like the idea of Feb 29, but why torture ourselves and only celebrate on leap years?? How about the ides of March or sometime around Halloween (when people dress up as something they're not....) I don't think there's a perfect day, though. Someone just needs to pick one!!

I think a big plus for a number of TCKs is this relation to culture... so if we had this big event and then opened it up to non TCKs they can perhaps sorta understand what we're getting at. Booths from things like 'Heritage Day' will take on another meaning , ie

Visitor: So which booth do you represent?
TCK: A, B, C and oh a bit of D, somewhat of E and F had a major influence on me too....

Perhaps then there'll be better understanding through and through/

I like that idea about each of us putting on our own choice of languages! That way no language is "left out" if we choose to use it!

We could agree on some one thing to write on the T-shirts - and everyone could have it printed on in the languages they know or feel affiliated with. That way we wouldn't have the dillemma of what languages to choose... there are so many that represent us!
Everyone would have to make their own T-shirt though...

I like the idea of the t-shirt with something TCK related written in many languages. I think we should have our own day. Not one that is already well known as connected to some other celebration. Maybe people could have TCK parties with our friends and their friends. (I'm not sure exactly what such a party is yet :-) but I'm sure it would be fun! Probably each one would be different and then we could all write in about what was great about the party we had and that would give us wonderful ideas to try for the next TCK day.)

I am interested in a Worldwide Day of the TCK because of the opportunities we have to present our group to the world. Information is very important these days although we often get too much of it. It needs to be carefully planned and the scope of this day determined. As for my own suggestions: a well-designed T-shirt, pamphlet and a broshure with general information in English and other main languages which - I think - must include German. I would love to be a part of this group which does the planning.

I also agree, that using a person's birthday for the celebration date is a bit too cult-ish(curtsey Maija post 112). It should have more to do with us as a group, or even movement. Maybe a significant date for this web-forum tckid.com, isn't that what brings most of us together? I haven't been here too long yet, but would suggest something like the First Live TCK Global Chat date.

It was my first experience of having spontaneous contact with TCKs, and this celebration should also be an opportunity to raise awareness - by having direct contact with TCKs.

It could even be a time-span, to give us more flexibility(say a week or two).

I have no objections to the birthday idea as the date, though I don't know if choosing someone's birthday is the best way to celebrate our diversity. Don't get me wrong, I know she started the awareness of TCKs, but it's a bit strange to me... (kind of cult-ish even?)

I like the Feb.29th idea. That way, it doesn't become just another consumerist holiday where we buy junk and pretend to party whilst forgetting what the point of the day was......

A festival is nice, UNLESS you can't make it there. Also, not every one is a party person... T-shirts are fun. How bout ones that say something like, "Just passing through" or "In transit?"

I don't have anything specific in mind in terms of HOW to celebrate, but here's what I think it should be like:
-GLOBAL
-inexpensive
-easy to join in for TCKs & non-TCKs alike
-including something visible (a badge? a colour?)
-something that works whether it's just at home with the fam, or out with hundreds of ppl

I agree with the idea of her birthday! and the festival is a cool idea but WHERE? The whole idea of TCK's is that were not from *one place* were from EVERYWHERE!!!

Make it Feb 29. Here one year, gone the next, not fitting in. (Also only have to worry about it every 4 years)

In Edmonton, Alberta, Canada they have this celebration every summer called "Heritage Days". For a week, hundreds of booths are set up representing different countries. There are merchandise booths and food booths. Food booths require tickets which you can buy and trade in for different meals. Both food and merchandise were authentically made. And of course, through out the day are different cultural performances.

We wouldn't have to go this far, but I think it would be cool to celebrate the variety of cultures we represent as well. I think it would help spark interest in mono-cultured people, and allow them to open up to learning about TCKs.

MAY 31!!!!!

I am pro one week festival as well!!!

How about the week starting from May 31!?!?!?

The birthday of Ruth Useem who came up with the entire TCK idea?!!? The one who CREATED the TERM!??!?!

BTW:

Do not confuse TCKs with ppl who know more than a language! Please!!! People!
Multilinguals may NOT be TCKs!!!~~ Or vice versa (although it is less the posibility)

I have to warn u guys that it is NOT only language that differ TCKs from non-TCKs, but CULTURE (even though I understand language does play a big role~~ but it MORE than just that)

Also, the psychological effects is a main issue too!!!

Don't forget psychology! Self-identity and all that!!!

I disagree with Albert and the Earth Day idea.........

Sorry..........

I believe in the importance of the "origin"

Where does the "idea" of the TCK community come from?

Is the person who "came up" of it!!!

Something important: a TCK does NOT necessary come from ALL over the world- maybe Some parts, more than ONE, but not ALL either, so, there is still a slight difference there, just to point out

A global citizen can be a non-TCK
They can live in their parent's country before their 20s and have NO IDEA of the culture shock we TCKs encounter!!! But still be a global citizen!

U c!? It is different! And I hope you all smart TCK can c...~
I know Earth Day was a good thing... but not to confuse THAT with TCKs!! TCK is a newer idea not yet accepted or well-known! It's NEW!

Whereas the idea of Earth Day is more well-known by ppl over the world.

If it's on the same day, then we dont we just celebrate Earth Day and forget 'bout TCK? Ppl are ALREADY celebrating Earth Day! You c?!!? WithOUT realizing the existence of US! TCKs!!!~~

ALSO.... many TCKs, same as me, believe that religion is our answer
I mean, we loved the Earth but........ HEAVEN is our final HOME!

I say no to "same day as Earth Day"= =
and say YES to the birthday of the one who invented the term TCK!!!!!!

We needed and still need the term!!!

Otherwise....? Can you imaging us without this term?

People only become curious about us ONLY if we say a becoming-famous term that they still dont know!!!

We tell ppl, I am a TCK (they ask, what IS that?) and now we can find it in things like wikipedia and hopefully in all dictionaries in the future!!!

If not bc of this TERM... ppl would be like... Ok, ok, so u lived in country A, and ur parents from country B.. Ok~ maybe there are ppl same as you out there~~ Ok?~~

We need(ed) the NAME!!!

The study! And the person who invented the term!

Vote for the inventor's birthday!!!~ Whenever it is!!!~~

HEY!

AND 'bout the DAY of the celebration!

No doubt!!! : the birthday of the lady who invented the term TCK!!!

Didnt she help us FROM the very beginning?!!?!?

HEY! Si no fuera por ella! (Spanish: if it wasnt for her)

We wont be here replying this question!

If there wasnt a term for us, we are just ??(Chinese for sorry cant translate it well enough but something like "sand all over places") from all over the world not knowing we have Anything in COMMON!!!

I HATE the idea of "Silence Day" XXXOOO!!

WHAT WE NEED IS TO "SPEAK UP"!!!

DONT WE!?!?!?!?

HEAVEN!!! I JUST HATE THAT IDEA!!!

How 'bout educational things that help Non-TCK's to "GET" US?!!?!?

(They never will ("get" us) but at least we tried= =...)

Also - I can't do this, but why not set up a poll and see when the TCK forum would like to celebrate TCK Day?
I notice there's a lot of suggestions floating around, but the ones that are actually sticking in my head so far at Earth Day and Ruth Useem's birthday!

So I started reading comments from page 6, and ended at page 9, because my eyes are killing me! So much to see and so much to say.
I love Ayako's video idea, as well as the 'THE FUTURE IS UPON US: TCK!!' and the many languages t-shirts, as well as the artist conventions.
But what if we did some kind of festival? So we'd take, say the week that Ruth Useem's birthday was on, and then at the beginning of the week, volunteers would go into schools, universities, workplaces, etc to talk about the TCK issue, and to create an awareness. Then the week would end off with a bang by having some kind of festival, where there could be language lessons [ie, how to say 'Hello! My name is ____________' in 5 different languages'] and art jams, gaames, quizzes, anything that could explain what being a TCK is about, and basicaly to create an awareness. Mono-culturals invited too, because I agree that it's important that we don't segregate ourselves.

Also, just to create the feeling on inclusion, use t-shirts and banners that would ask questions. Something common that even mono-culturals could relate to. Perhaps -
'Can you speak more than one language?'
or
'Do you belong to the world?'

Just my two cents added in. =)

A week-long convention. Lectures, Performances, Speakers, Activities, etc.

On an aside note, I'm gearing up to apply to a bunch of different arts grants, presenters, and pitching to different international minded organizations to produce/curate a performance (hopefully touring as well) based solely on TCKs.

I like Albert's idea about celebrating on Earth Day. I think there should be mass conventions across the land, sort of like anime conventions in the sense that it doesn't have to be a local gathering. It can be (or become) a regional gathering.

I like the cartoon idea too. Why don't we have a TCK cartoonist yet anyway?

I agree with the multicultural party idea :) It should be something other people can join in so they can share it with us. It could include an international meal and either some games or story-sharing times and a time for info. or Q & A maybe...

We should celebrate the International Third Culture Kid Day on April 22nd. I chose this date because it's also Earth Day. As tcks, we see ourselves as people who don't belong anywhere but we belong everywhere - global citizens. Symbolically I think Earth Day will be a great day to celebrate our multi-cultural backgrounds.

This day can be celebrated by organizing a gathering through our local community groups. Meeting other tcks and being able to talk, relate, and have a sense of family will be an excellent way to celebrate. We can take a lot of pictures/videos and post them on our online profiles as a way to raise awareness. This day can also be celebrated in other ways. As someone suggested, "we all have different styles." Raise awareness, make a donation etc... can all be part of the celebration.

I also think a good way to fund this website is through the sale of t-shirts. We should come up with a logo to put on t-shirts. T-shirts made specifically for Third Cultural Kid Day will be a hit and help out Bruce in the expenses of maintaining this site.

Another facebook trick: Find all the (international) schools you've been to on facebook & post a link to TCKID on the school site. And go back every few weeks to post related stuff.

interactive comic - sounds good Siosi.

Here's another one that could help TCKID fund itself. Start an online bookstore dedicated to books written by and about culturally mixed people. This way, people won't have to stumble across these books by accident. A one stop shop for all the different types of culturally mixed stories. Half/halfs, migrants, TCKs, refugees, adoptees, etc. Here's a few titles I know (I don't read much btw, so I don't know much).

"Color of water" - written by a guy who is half African American, half Jewish American. People kept telling him to dance when he was young coz he was black, but he wasn't much of a dancer. One day he asked his Jewish mom - What color is God? And mom said - "the color of water".

"Unpolished Gem" - by Alice Pung. Story of an Asian Australian migrant family.

"Growing up Asian in Australia" - edited by Alice Pung. Collection of short stories written by Asian Australians.

And how could I forget? - "Dreams from my father"!

interactive comic - sounds good Siosi.

Here's another one that could help TCKID fund itself. Start an online bookstore dedicated to books written by and about culturally mixed people. This way, people won't have to stumble across these books by accident. A one stop shop for all the different types of culturally mixed stories. Half/halfs, migrants, TCKs, refugees, adoptees, etc. Here's a few titles I know (I don't read much btw, so I don't know much).

"Color of water" - written by a guy who is half African American, half Jewish American. People kept telling him to dance when he was young coz he was black, but he wasn't much of a dancer. One day he asked his Jewish mom - What color is God? And mom said - "the color of water".

"Unpolished Gem" - by Alice Pung. Story of an Asian Australian migrant family.

"Growing up Asian in Australia" - edited by Alice Pung. Collection of short stories written by Asian Australians.

These are some GREAT ideas! I especially like the comic idea because I'm all for artistic endeavors (as I'm a multimedia artist myself). If you're interested, we could possibly convert the comics into online (Flash-based), interactive ones. If you google "Broken Saints" you can get an idea of what I'm talking about.

ooooh, don't you worry. i already did start posting them on facebook. but i want more. they're hilarious.

That's a good idea Danau! I actually did make some comics last year, because there weren't any.

You can check out a list of the first TCK comics here:

http://www.tckid.com/group/third-culture-kids-c...

Anyone is free to steal those comics and post them on your sites. =)

Yeah. Here's the logic: If we can produce comic strips that are good enough that people (e.g. via newspapers) would pay to read it, then they're good enough to make people listen to us. We're guaranteed an audience.

And comic strips are probably the easiest, compact way to do it (well, this is coming from someone who doesn't know how to draw :p ). Our stories have never been told in that format, so whatever we write, it'll be original. And, whoever the TCK artist is, and wherever the story is from - well they can also use this opportunity to get there name out there to jump start their career. This is in ADDITION to raising awareness. i.e. it's a bonus.

Once we've published enough in the newspapers, then we can compile it into a little booklet. Include some explanation of what a TCK is, the pros and cons of being one, the resources available, TCKID web address, etc. More importantly, we can include the message we want to send - let's together overcome the fear of difference, or world peace, or whatever it is (I'm sure we can come up with something less wishy-washy). Then sell the comic book to international schools and TCKs across the globe. And heck, to non-TCKs too.

How do we get it into newspapers? Well, I'm sure there are plenty of ATCKs working as journalists, editors, etc of major newspapers. We could aim for newspapers read by globe trotters (International Herald Tribune, Wall Street Journal, etc. - that is, assuming they have a comic section).

e.g. Anne-Sophie Bolon at the International Herald Tribune (Global edition of the NY Times) http://www.iht.com/articles/2002/10/26/rkid_ed3...
http://www.iht.com/articles/2002/11/23/rlet11_e...

e.g. Nora FitzGerald - a freelance journalist based in Berlin (also wrote for IHT) http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/06/26/rteen_ed...

And oh, oh, plusss, we could make B. Obama do guest appearances in the comic strips. Our mascot TCK. We could either poke fun at him (but not in a nasty way. In a humorous way). Or we could get him to poke fun at other people (e.g. the press - coz they seriously need to grow up in this area of not boxing people up). Then, it would also serve as a political cartoon. Wouldn't that get more audience? So, the Obama presidency is probably the best time to start a TCK comic project. C'mon now. How many 'birds' are we gonna kill with one stone?

oh.. wow Danau, that's an excellent idea!! That would be a fun and entertaining way to raise awareness. I think artists can really make a difference in this area too - with comics, films, music, etc. Maybe we could ask artists if they have creative ideas?

I just read the post, "First TCK Comic Ever". Are you kidding me? No other TCK comic (except the Japanese Nodame one) exists? I think you should keep writing TCK comics. Heck, everyone else out there with artistic skills (not me) should write TCK comics. Have a TCK comic competition. Advertise the competition on TCKID and other global nomad magazines/sites. Compile a collection of TCK comics. (Then standardize the characters maybe?) And see if we can get it published in newspapers based in metropolitan/cosmopolitans cities on a regular basis (e.g. weekly). And if we make it TCK/CCK (instead of purely TCK), wouldn't a lot of people identify with it and read it? Wouldn't that be the quickest, most entertaining, least intrusive way to raise awareness? Not to mention the royalties you might get which can be used to fund TCKID. Heck, there's plenty of funny stories on this site to fill the comic strips for a few years. And I've got a TCK/CCK friend who is a professional animation creator (is that what they're called?) who might be able to help too (well, i haven't asked him...). And we could post the comics on facebook too. I mean, if McCain and Obama had comics written about them...why not?

Great idea Shaheema - I love that one. haha

T-shirts rule! It's such an ice-breaker. "I dare you to ask me where I'm from." We should also reply to all our emails/facebook wall posts in another language we know. :P Sure to drive people up the wall (literally). Or else reply to questions people ask us in another language, or with another accent.

i didn't get to read all comments but i like the combination effort.
when i saw the poll, i voted for the t-shirt idea because if i were to choose among many including the suggestion i made (silence day x_x) i would totally go for more fun events!
i mean silence day can be more easily done among students than full-time working adults.

we could do combined effort like wearing tck t-shirts at the airport and play "where do you belong" TCK videos for those waiting for flights, etc. We could also wear "Proud to be TCKid" on silence day, etc.

Great ideas and points in this thread!

So far the winning idea is the t-shirt, but a combination and organized effort for all of them would work well.

Very interesting discussion on the importance of raising awareness - we need to follow up on that.

Keep the ideas coming!

Hi - gosh somany ideas already said! I agree with most of the ideas! Great! I'm for the 31st of May of being the TCKid day and to celebrate it ( and present issues that are well defined before) to universities, international schools and I suggest also to multinational companies. Yes , let's get the issues defined first! One issue: I think we could bring in that observation means learning and that we want non-tckids to see how tckids learn to learn via observing a lot! (this could be done in little and many fun and creative workshops showing the multitude of interpretations possible to behavior) Demonstrating the nonverbal and verbal part of communication and what non-violent behavior means to us. what we consider to be peaceful and tolerant communication. We could also refer to showing examples of typical situations when we feel puzzled or insulted due to a lack of others of being sensitive for our tck situation. This could be very funny. The titel: "how to change the culture without feeling like a complete "idiot" ( at times)!" I would offer to organize (with the help of others) something like this in universities and schools in Madrid!

so much for now! bye!

Great point of discussion: "Why do I want this? On what purpose?"

Raise awarness.. "educate" mono-cultural people in our reality.. make them "understand" us?
Is that even possible?

Is it really possible make a person who have ALWAYS lived in one only culture, one only country, even one only CITY, the reality of several continents-trasferts among two decades?

I think is not only really difficult; it's also nearly useless.
The same way that WE can difficulty understand the "mono-cultural" reality (the most of us has been traveling since their childhoods), we can IMAGINE, or even dream about how could that be.. but not REALLY understend it from the "inside".

And on other hand, there's the "identity/belonging" think.
As some slogan in THIS very web-site say: "You don't belong to a place; you belong to a group of people".
I fear that if ANYONE could "feel" and "see" life like us, the sense of belonging to some group would be shortly almost disappear.
You can't belong to a group of people if you DON'T HAVE a small group that you're SHURE that has lived YOUR way, YOUR life.

I dunno.. I think the "raise awarness" think is a wrong perspective to approach the think.

Obviusly.. I think that we actually should make us listened, make people realize that is a group named "Third Culture Kids", that has some specific experiences, and thinks like that.

But I, onestly, would'nt say to all mono-cultural people "Hey, look at me; I'm different, I'm special because I come from everywhere.. c'mon, UNDERSTAND ME, I feel so fu***n' lonely!" (and I'm sorry to put it that way.. but I have this feeling that is really THAT, that we would saying, in our purpose to "raise awarness").

I certainly would give them the POSSIBILITY, if THEY want, to know us, and to know our reality, yes.. but beyond that? No, I'm sorry.

I am what I am, and I'm ok with that. If someone is interested, that's ok. If someone's not, that's ok too.
If I can, I will meet people like me; if I can't, I will otherwise go on with my life without big troubles.

In other words... I think making something beyond a nice and relaxed meet-up, some funny video wearing some cool T-Shirt, between us and ONLY us (for other poeple to see ad share it, shure.. IF THE WANT TO) would be almost.. invasive, to other people.

I hope I make myself clear :(
As always: I have some problem to put in english my thoughts, and it's very probably in most of one part, I have explained myself no as clear as I wanted xD

I had a similar train of thought as danau....no "us" and "them"...!!
We are not better or worse than any other person out there and instead of clustering together, we should express our uniqueness by being open to the world and including them.
So how are we going to raise awareness without always pinpointing "us" and "them"??? I also think we should define what we mean by raising awareness. What IS our goal in raising awareness?? Is our goal to show the world that we exist....or is there maybe a completely different issue that we want to adress?? How can it be done wisely?? We have the wisdom of all cultures amongst us - let´s use it!!

Hmmmmm. I understand what you mean by "THE FUTURE IS UPON US: TCK!!!" But at the same time that's what I'm concerned about. I have spent my life feeling excluded or not quite fitting in most of the time. And because people don't understand this, they don't know how to be inclusive. Learning that there are others like me has been great. I agree with Stefan that feeling like I'm a part of something as I do on this forum is a novelty for me and I love it. But I don't want it to be about 'us' and 'them'. I've had enough of that. That's why I think we need to be very careful about the direction we take. I think Obama mentioned that he is going to serve not just those who voted for him, but also those who didn't vote for him. I think that's the spirit. We need to emphasize that we're not here just for TCKs and CCKs, but also for those who have no idea what it's like to be mixed. Okay, maybe I'm being idealistic...but yeah. There is nothing wrong with that slogan per se because I know what you mean. But we should emphasize:

That in fact we are all of mixed culture. There is no such thing as a 'pure breed'. Cultures have mixed and changed since time immemorial. (e.g. How many Japanese walk around in kimonos now? They don't. They wear jeans. How many Europeans wear corsets now? Zero?) And it's changing ever more rapidly now. So it's okay to be mixed. There is no need to fear people being mixed. There is no need to fear those who are different. And we happen to be very mixed (hence we're the face of the future as you said). So as TCKs, how are we going to convey this message in an inclusive way?

Also, there is no need for any group to feel as though they are better than the next. How are we going to convey this message?

...my thoughts are a bit jumbled but here's hoping it makes some sense...

All the ideas proposed here are good, I like all of them. I've been thinking about making a t-shirt that displays my international background for a long time now, but was never quite sure what to put on it. I recently discovered that I am a TCK though, so now I've got a reference point and a potential logo...

Regarding the questions Brice, Larisa, Michael and Danau pointed out

Why do you want to have an International Third Culture Kid Day?
Why not? Everyone has celebratory international something day these days...ninjas, dogs, mangroves...
Personally though, being part of something is not a feeling that I've had very often in my life - the fact that I'm a TCK definitely having played its part there.
I can't really describe what being a TCK means to me. Sometimes I hate it, sometimes I love it...but it is an aspect of me that is undeniably certain, and I can identify with the notion, if that makes any sense. There is so much positivity in the TCK community and at the end of the day, it is something that deserves, celebration, merry making, commemoration, whatever. So I really like the idea of getting involved in an international day for people like me.

What is the collective need of our community?
Errm...I'll get back to you on that one...

What could be accomplished if TCKs around the world get together to work on a common goal?
Let TCKs around the world know that they are not alone, and give TCKs a chance to communicate this international background aspect of their personality to the world.

Are we trying to identify and reach out to unidentified TCKs?
Would definitely be a good idea IMO.

Are we trying to spread the word about the existence of the Third Culture to members of the general population?"
The general public will probably not care to be honest. If they acknowledge the existence of TCKs, good. If they take an active interest, better.


That's my two cents worth, more later...


S.

Hi Sylvia,

We have a long list here:

http://www.tckid.com/group/famous-tcks/

I really like the video idea,

This suggestion is not really an instead of...rather an add on to...so Barack Obama is a TCK...who knows this about him but us? I ask sincerely. Did you guys know that Brian Adams is a TCK too? Who else is out there....in the shadows as a TCK...I mean...nobody that isn´t somehow connected to our world or an Academic interested in our issues knows about us...

Before we start going out and screaming that we exist...maybe we should introduce ourselves....and who better to do that than people the world already knows and apreciates?

I mean the development world has Bono speaking....these days celebrities are into everything...maybe in addition to those of us who are "ordinary" TCKs introducing ourselves to the world...maybe we could get some of the more famous among us to lend a hand and introduce themselves as well...a kind of "coming out" party if you will...and yes You Tube is a wonderful medium.

What do you guys think?

Sylvia Booth
Was in Montreal and now in Detroit...where to next?

Hi Glenn,

Or even better.....THE FUTURE IS UPON US: TCK!!! <--I think this is the direction to take because it's not like people will have much of a choice. TCKs and CCKs are a by-product of globalization and there will be more and more in the future. The statement also doesn't say we're special. It's saying that we're just what the future holds for mankind for good or bad.

I also fully agree with your concern which I've raised with Brice:

"But be careful...there are still a large number of racists out there of all colors who still do not accept us "mutts". We do not want to antagonize those of a single race or culture."

I've noticed - in an expatriate forum I'm in - that there are a number of individuals who spread dangerous propaganda about how melting pot culture and 'mutts' are inferior to 'pure culture and 'pure race' etc. I've been able to trace some of this rhetoric to Samuel Huntington who is a controversial academic.

Be wary if someone starts to quote Dr. Huntington or anyone who can be linked to supporting his studies.

Also, please be wary of anti-globalization lobbyists in general as this isn't about protecting 3rd world countries from 1st world countries. It's something much more dangerous. It's about nationalism and racial/cultural superiority and we need to be aware of this and play our cards right.

The day - Just a thought: I think it's best to avoid major public holidays where people will either be with their family & friends (or busy recovering from a hangover/late night). Also, it might be good to do it during the academic year when schools & universities are on. That way we have easier access to:
- TCKs who can help organize an event (video showing, screaming, or whatever it is)
- TCKs who don't know they are TCKs (and other CCKs)
- all other youths, who I'm assuming are more open to new concepts/ways of thinking and will be shaping our future society. (and are searching for 'identity' of all sorts)

Now, the age old TCK dilemma: Whose academic calendar are we gonna use? Lol. FYI -south of the equator the summer break starts mid-Nov and goes on til end of Feb.

I agree with Brice (and Larisa, Michael Pollock, and Danau) that it's important we first define the objective of an International Third Culture Day (I vote for Ruth Useem's birthday!)...this would determine which activities would really bring the message we have as TCKs into razor-sharp focus. It's not so much that we're "special" or elite; only that a message of say, peace and unity (at the risk of sounding cliche!) will resonate more when delivered by TCKs.

What is our message to the world then? A message that only TCKs can deliver, and that will maybe cause ripples of change and awareness in a global sense; not just to TCKs who don't know they're TCKs, but to the whole world?

I personally really love the idea of a video ("I belong nowhere, and everywhere: I am a third culture kid" is very very powerful stuff!) ala "Where is Matt"; involving as many as are willing to stand on a corner in their host country with a sign or something, and submit their 5-second clip to be edited into a 3-minute whole.

Having one status message on Facebook is an extremely effective, viral activity; as is a link or a posted item leading to the TCK video on YouTube.

A shirt would be cool (can we do tank tops too??) or even those colored rubber bracelets...different colors of course!

I am loving this whole idea...as Cher said in Clueless..."Oooh! Project!!"

i noticed someone suggested jan 1st. i also think it is a good idea. though i think the jewish new year would be better since the date always changes n this would suggest consistent change in our lives....a new day is lovely since our lives are always changing

also the idea of screaming sort of horrifies me as i am an introvert. but if the signs could be well orgainsed (eg the way they put up the flight schedule) i think this would have more of an effect than pple walking around with placades
a silence day wouldnt work. i really feel we need to speak out. we need to have a method that clearly underlines us as TCKA (Third Culture Kids Adults - My own coinage). The pain/conflict has been buried in us for too many years coz noone knew we existed.Tshirs seem good also...

i wish we could have real meetings/outings, not just over the net/online.... but i wonder how that would be accomplished seeing we are all in different continents....maybe one in each continent? and if its at homes mine is open....actually i think we can have more meetings/outing then that seeing we are such an accomodative bunch...

the line "where do YOU belong" taken from kungfuu72's shirt design idea is actually really awesome. it allows people to think about themselves. it makes them curious because this will have to do with them. people often ask questions such as 'why am i here', 'what is my purpose in life' etc. i'm pretty darn sure this question will lead to people wanting to visit this website to take a look ;)

we could perhaps have that done in several different languages and printed on the shirt...

oh my gosh, i got so much to say, but just a quick one for now abt Ayako's idea. It's cool. And we don't even have to fake it or exaggerate! I've seen a bunch of Korean speaking women in saris at Changi (Singapore) airport once (or maybe they were Nepalese? I'm sure they were speaking Korean...). And I've met a Chinese Canadian who spoke English with a thick Indian accent. And my black British friend stood on the streets of Shanghai once talking to a guy from the French speaking part of Africa (both were black looking) in Mandarin (their only common language). They drew a crowd for sure. The locals were so confused. Yeah, stuff like that could make up a segment of the video clip.

But also - what message do we want to convey? Not everyone is as mixed as TCKs or CCKs are. But we all (TCK or otherwise) need to learn to see past our differences. Not just tolerate difference, but to recognize that it's there, and then look past it to see the person inside. Tolerance just isn't enough.

I am a 54-yr old TCK, born in 1954 [that may seem ancient to all of you but I am a product of the Occupation of Japan by the US military after WWII] ( TCK is not a term I grew up with...it was Eurasian or "half" back in the 50's & 60's ). I am half Norwegian and half Japanese. My wife is half Japanese and part Irish, Scot, German, & Cherokee Indian. I have been saying since the 70's that the future belonged to people like us as more and more people of different races & cultures got married and had children. I have been saying this to my children since they were born in the early 80's, that the future belongs to kids like them. Now it seems to be coming to fruition with the election of Obama. I see more and more multi-racial/multi-cultural couples. Really confounds people of one race or one ethnicity as they can't figure out who or what we are.

How about "the future belongs to us" or "the future belongs to TCKs!!" on a T-shirt....

Or even better.....THE FUTURE IS UPON US: TCK!!!

AS TO CELEBRATIONS: WE NEED A LARGE MEDIA EVENT ACCOMPANIED BY SMALL MEETINGS OR GET-TOGETHERS AT RESTAURANTS OR CLUBS OR EVEN AT PEOPLE'S HOMES TO VIEW THE EVENT.

But be careful...there are still a large number of racists out there of all colors who still do not accept us "mutts". We do not want to antagonize those of a single race or culture. There are still skinheads out there who will never understand where we come from or where we stand........there are still many who don't get TCKs.....like the blacks, whites, asians, and hispanics who still think Obama is all "black". The blacks want Obama to belong to themselves...the whites are wary.....and on and on. Be careful, there are still a lot of people who just don't get it!!! But most of all be proud and have fun!!! (and polite)

I am an occupational therapist. We once had an OT shirt with the name for our profession in many different languages on the front of the T shirt. I still have not identified all the languages, but I felt so "at home" wearing the shirt, as I am in America now but am a TCK. I think words for TCK in different languages and scripts would be lots of fun to wear, particularly if the English is not front and center!

http://www.tckid.com/group/10-lifestyle-habits-...

We could also reflect what everyone has said here and visualize it.

Just re-reading this - a lot of visuals came to mind.

I think there should be many creative ways to cut this into film or still photos that can be printed on T-shirts.

For example for a film idea I love that comment about being able to live anywhere. One person could be shot against different back grounds (use a blue screen and superimpose of course :P) and she or he will keep saying: I could live here - while the scene keeps changing.

Brilliant idea Ayako - I love this, it's very creative. I propose a "culturally wrong" theme which could also be made into a shirt. We cross cultural types break common stereotypes. :)

I have an idea for a TCK video. It will look like a normal multi-cultural video - but if you look closely everyone will be wearing the wrong national costume, eating the wrong national foods or doing something that's culturally wrong for their nationality.

To get the point across we need to exaggerate a lot so that this is visually obvious.

For example:

1. A person of Chinese ethnicity wearing a Sari
2. An person of African ethnicity using chopsticks
3. A northern European wearing Masai garb
4. Someone who clearly doesn't look Japanese speaking fluent Japanese
5. Pan across food products lined up in a pantry with these things side by side: Soy sauce, Marmite, Peanut Butter, Nutella, Lingonberry Sauce, Mango Chutney, Mexican Salsa Sauce, Coconut Milk, etc.... the pan will go on and on....
6. etc.

We can't get the fine points across but we really need to exaggerate because a video can only convey so much.

The tone and manner should be like in those 'Where's Matt" videos where you only see short cuts which are edited one after another.

We can have subtitles sliding across the screen with an explanation of TCKs so that the video doesn't just end up looking like a circus.

Last but not least we need music running in the background that will work well with this theme.

Anyone have any good ideas?

Should we get a TCK musician to do this?

I have an idea for TCK video. It will be a multi-cultural video - but if you look closely everyone will be wearing the wrong national costume, eating the wrong national foods or doing something that's culturally wrong for their nationality.

To get the point across we need to exaggerate a lot so that this is visually obvious.

For example:

1. A person of Chinese ethnicity wearing a Sari
2. An person of African ethnicity using chopsticks
3. A northern European wearing Masai garb
4. Someone who clearly doesn't look Japanese speaking fluent Japanese <---We can do this with any nationality or any language so long as it's pretty obvious the person looks like the wrong ethnicity to most people.
5. etc.

We can't get the fine points across but we really need to exaggerate because a video can only convey so much.

The tone and manner should be like in those 'Where's Matt" videos where you only see short cuts which are edited one after another.

We can have subtitles sliding across the screen with an explanation of TCKs so that the video doesn't just end up looking like a circus.

Last but not least we need music running in the background that will work well with these theme.

Anyone have any good ideas?

Should we get a TCK musician to do this?

Apart from the educational materials, T-shirts and the special day which I totally agreed, I suggest we create a TCK button badge, so that every TCKs can wear on their shirt or a backpack to express themselves. Because when people ask what badge you are wearing, you can start to explain what it is all about and it would also be a good way to identify other TCKs when you're traveling.

I like the idea of sending in video clips of all ticks. We can chat briefly about where we've been and how it feels to be a TCK.

I am so glad someone finally raised this question. I've been thinking about this for a while, and I agree with Larisa, Michael Pollock and Danau.

I'd like to go further and ask: Why do you want to raise awareness?

Why do you want to have an International Third Culture Kid Day?

What is the collective need of our community?

What could be accomplished if TCKs around the world get together to work on a common goal?

I'll repost some of Larisa's questions here, which I think all of us should try to answer and share our thoughts:

"Who is the audience for the awareness raising?

Are we trying to identify and reach out to unidentified TCKs?

Are we trying to spread the word about the existence of the Third Culture to members of the general population?"

... all of the above?

The direction we take is up to you.

I'm for positively promoting a message about TCKid awarness and what it means through You-Tube. What about having people send in a short video clip from wherever they and completing a phrase like " TCK means..." or "I'm a TCK because..." or "You know you are a TCK when....". I think besides schools and universities, we also need to consider how many adult TCKs there are, that have only just come to terms with being one and need a reference too . I also think inviting a TCK t-shirt competition is a great idea (forgot who mentioned that, sorry!) and maybe selecting 3 top versions, with a portion of the funds going back to TCK website.
Just a thought.... :-)

I totally agree with Larissa & Michael. I am all for it. But we need to be clear about the direction we're taking and be as inclusive as possible. There must be plenty of TCKs who don't even speak English, or any European language. And there are plenty of CCKs who haven't had an international lifestyle but also struggle with 'belonging'. And why are we trying to raise awareness about TCKs? Because we want to help other TCKs? Because we want the wider society to know our existence? If so why? Because we're so 'special'? (Are we more special than others?) So life will be easier for us? Or so we can also promote mutual understanding and reach out to those who are different from us (including those who are 'monocultural')? The last thing I want to do is make non-TCKs feel excluded just because they weren't privileged enough to have the international lifestyle that we've had.

Our struggle to be understood is very real. It's very frustrating to be 'on the margins', but our exposure to the world is also an incredible privilege that not many enjoy. How can we share that with others? (That's a question I'm asking myself these days.)

And a practical suggestion - if we're gonna go all out and approach universities and stuff, then might as well run seminars on campus on the day too. Or even show the video on campus.

This is all great stuff! I agree with Larissa that our purpose matters. Brice, will you speak to that? I think celebration and awareness are both great ideas. I saw a t-shrt I liked with the definition of a tck on the front with the slogan "Third Culture Kids- Because Two Cultures are Just Not Enough!" on the back...Ruth Useem's B-day is a Great idea for the day. International Schools are a must! Once we nail a date, I would love to help with that...

Thank goodness: we have our special day. After all, everyone who puts enough energy and will power into it can have a day like that. It is only right that we come up with an idea like an International Day of the TCKID. What we need to do in preparation for such an event would be to publish material for any lay and "disinterested" person focussing on the issue of TCK/ATCK so they know what the whole thing is all about. I myself would welcome any one who approaches me to assist in devising a broshure or some information material. If need be I would also be ready to travel to do some PR.

T-shirts and you tube definitely would work. I think the T shirt has to have a definition, possibly on the back of TCK: but I also think including the term Global Nomad may help to explain to the many people who have never even thought of the idea. I think it is very important to perhaps have Third Culture Kid translated. What about a T shirt that said third culture kid in as many languages as we could get it translated into? Each language in a different color? The appearance of something with so many languages on it, automatically projects a global or world view; something that is relevant to everyone. In the same way, the video could have the "I am a TCK because" in a variety of languages.... perhaps even the same person speaking in all the languages they know....although that might get long!

International Schools generally have a celebration of some sort of everyone's culture, whether it is a food festival etc. Pamphlets, t-shirts there, school contests on "what being a TCK means to me."
Again, if the basic idea is to raise awareness of what TCK/global nomads are and what they bring to the world community, then even a press release to consulates/embassies; UNESCO, International women's associations of every country. The idea of approaching parent organizations at schools to assist in spreading the information is great, too

A letter describing the website; the purpose of the International TCK day could go out to every person who is well known: politicians, actors, singers asking them to support/participate ( possibly by wearing a t shirt that day! )

I liked the idea of the meet-up.

Also, I liked the video's idea, and the T-Shirt thing..

Maybe we could use one day a year to organice reunions all over the world, where TCK of the same country meet each others, know each other "face-to-face" (and not only on the Internet), make a video of the meeting itself, and maybe (in some scene) they all wear the T-Shirt and scream out some slogan like those propose by Selima

Then all videos go to *someone* who edit them, making one longer "TCK-Video" of the all meetings and submit it on Youtube or whatever else.





P.S:
I apologize if my english suck a bit xD

I guess I mostly have a question: Who is the audience for the awareness raising? Are we simply trying to have a coordinated celebration for the members of our own community? Are we trying to identify and reach out to unidentified TCKs? Or are we trying to spread the word about the existence of the Third Culture to members of the general population? I can think of several strategies, but they would be very different, depending on the target audience.

We should consider partnering with colleges and universities that take an interest in the TCK phenomenon. For example, in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark College has a TCK club and enrolls over a hundred TCK students every year. See www.lclark.edu/dept/iso/tck.html.

Some other ideas:

Bloggers for TCK Day! (Send a notice around before the event - maybe a month before?)

And Webmasters for TCK Day - each blogger or webmaster could put a notice up with links to the contest(s), this site, and information sites with posters, pins, buttons, decals, bumper stickers, ties, hats, hoodies, jackets, etc.

Have a PDF version of the brochure available for people who can download it. And I totally agree with making this a date just for TCK's. I think lots of merchandise could only help spread the word, too. TCK's are all ages - - I'm not sure how to change the "K" for kid for this to include us older people, too, since it's already a useful name. Maybe include all ages in the saying about the special day.

Cafepress can be a good place to start. Here is the link:
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/customize/

Hi all,

Would love see this to be an inclusive celebration as possible as a lot of TCKs aren't US citizens, nor have any cultural association with North America.

I really like Brianna's idea for the t-shirt. It sounds fun and interesting which see should people wearing it often.

Suggest the involvement of International Student Associations (colleges, universities).
Imagine that a lot of TCKs are in, or on the periphery of these associations. I certainly was when in Perth, though I wasn't an international student.


For a slogan, could create a variation of a line by Thomas Paine:
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good."

Quite like this one: "The world is my home and humanity my family." Helvi Sipila

Others:
- "The world is my country and all mankind are my brethren."
- "The world is my home, and every man in it my brother." James Michener
- "My country is the world; my countrymen are mankind." William Lloyd Garrison
- "I have no country to fight for: my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world." Euguene Victor Debs

I think the idea of having a t-shirt, and maybe getting International Schools to help video (class project?) and advertise for us or connect would be a better word could grow the amount of people involved. And missionaries, businesses etc that are the people raising TCKers. IF we come up with something very clear to help connect with them and that might appeal to their sense of sharing or helping their TCKers be involved with others like the. Useem birthday makes lots of sense.
I'll look for You are a TCK if .... I am certain I have some somewhere. And more can always be made up.
Keep going, a neat idea. Never knew I was a TCK till long after I had grown up.

How about combining the idea of a screaming day and making an official TCK video. How about a video with clips of TCKs all over the world wearing the same t-shirts or front of their city's signature landmarks. Maybe reciting either a piece of the definition of TCK or something from the "You know you are a TCK when..." list.

The shirt is a must do. The video should also be done.

I also saw something about a tattoo on the forehead. I agree that one of us has to do that. Put a few names in a hat and just pick one at random, and that person MUST do it or we take away their TCK card.

But honestly in general there should be more TCK merchandise, shirts, hoodies...

There should be a contest for the shirt design.

I like the idea of a TCK t-shirt and the idea of having a contest for the design of the t-shirt. In fact there could be several winning designs and we could then buy them to iron onto a t-shirt. Of course someone would have to do all the work of making them and selling them. :-)

There is a nice little booklet called "You Know You're an MK When..." (you can probably find it by Googling that sentence if you're interested.) If everyone sent in an idea for "You Know You're a TCK When..." it would make a nice on-line book and we could all print off the parts we wanted to keep.

t-shirt / badge/ tattoo on forhead??? hehehehe
facebook status is a good one too...

it should be something people could make at home as well...
how are we choosing the day? could we just base it on another internationally celebrated cross-culture related day?

With regards to the t-shirt Idea, we should have some available to purchase regardless if it turns out to be the way we celebrate TCK Day or not. Or something we can use to promote TCK awareness on a semi-regular basis.

Also, I like the 'facebook status' idea.

Hihi!

I think the tshirt idea is great! Perhaps we could come up with more slogans. =)

Brianna, that's a very creative t-shirt idea, I love it.

I have an idea for the date: 8/23/09.
My reasoning is this: "T-C-K" broken down into it's numerical status according to each letter's location in the alphabet is "20" "3" "11." Thus, (K-C)= 8, (T+C)= 23, and (T-K)=9. The Date: 8/23/09.

Since that is in August, I have no idea if this would be a good idea or not, I just thought it was fun. How about some day in March when everyone is getting sick of the weather (depending on where you live)?

T-shirt idea- a picture of a person with different body parts wearing different clothing from different places (maybe also holding chopsticks, wearing a camera and lugging a suitcase, or other random things). Someone might ask why the person looks so weird... maybe even the body parts are from different people. Hope that makes sense!

I like the youtube video idea.

Games- make a game and set it up at a table. Sit there waiting for people to come ask what it is and join.

Wear a nametag that says "ask me where I'm from" or "TCK"

Just a thought but if you're not talking then how are you supposed to answer people's questions ;-)

I like the idea of a T-Shirt... something that's stylish enough that you wouldn't just wear it on TCK Day. Maybe this sounds a little cheesy and overdone, but what about something like the Livestrong bracelets?? Maybe something modeled after a dog tag but with the I'm from everywhere and nowhere tagline? A dog tag says who you are and where you're from, but those questions are hard to answer for a lot of TCKs.

Hello community,

I've been in contact with Brice off & on in the past weeks:
A shirt concept to actually raise awareness of TCKid - from my experience, I personally think that there are many TCK's out there that don't even know what a "TCK" is or even that there are one themselves... unfortunately I was introduced to the whole concept not too long ago by my girlfriend and I turned out to be a TCK too! (Half Filipino Half German). I thought if we sold the shirts for 20USD or less we could all raise some extra funding to support the website (and our fellow advocates) and raise awareness of the TCK concept WHERE EVER we may go!

Wouldn't that be cool if you ran into someone wearing a TCKid shirt at an airport?

http://www.geocities.com/prox0r/images/djlk_tck...

(Just a concept for now) :-)

some emails:

----

Hey Brice!
I love the idea of a Screaming Day. I would definitely buy a t-shirt!
Let me know how it goes and what I can do!

Later,
Colleen
----


Hi, Brice...I dont' know that airports would be too happy with "demonstraters." these days. I do like the idea of a video, some games, the use of internet (which you guys have to do, I don't have the skills),.

What I suggest is

1. a small brochure, perhaps a 3 fold with contact people for TCKs and related people to put in conspicuous places, like educational systems, military, libaries, internet, airports, senior service complexes, other public places. A business card size with where to get info might be helpful and not "obnoxius" to the public.Mission boards, business and industry, educational entities who send and return people cross culturally.

2. A place mat for meal time with trivia questions to (on the internet) as well as samples to provided to seminaries, denominational headquarters, education systems, business and industry, cultural centers, libraries

3. Simple guidelines to start a TCK group. I just told Renee', our daughter, a couple of days ago, maybe we should begin one in Tulsa. We could use the TCK book for a study guide--maybe write a guide to go with it--would Ruth do this, or should someone else do that? Incude some games, the video

4. News release for the media to try to get a short interview with a local rews reporter showing a copy of the book. Use that saying about "I belong nowhere...or whatever it is--that is powerful (I won't pull it up again to save time.
- Marcia

Video on You tube is a great idea. Maybe a page dedicated to videos ONLY from Tckids short stories about their experiences ? We can work on the idea.

BUT I think we MUST select a TCK day and make it official. What day ? But make it a day that will be meaningful for all. I know hard to select but a neutral date to all cultures ... that way making it our own. I think with a little research and with a lot of suggestion we can easily pick a neutral date and make it OURS !

We need to select a date and make it official .. in time the world will celebrate with us.

James
VenezuelaExpats.Net

TCK Awareness week - great idea Maira. I vote for that one! I also love the Facebook status and chatroom ideas. That sounds like fun. :)

I like the video and the games idea.

The video thing could become a "video contest" and we could flood YouTube with TCK-related videos! :D (or just have them posted here, whichever the community prefers).

About the games, we could have online games, like in a veeery long time ago in the chatroom, we tried to see who could come up with more languages in just on sentence! That was really fun!

But I think this also (maybe in a longer term) could become a "promote/raise awareness" day.

For now, how about encouraging people to add something about TCK (or even just "TCK" or "Celebrating TCK Day") in their statuses (like in MSN or facebook).

When should it be? **I just had a great idea**: The day that Useem published her first article on TCKs!!!! (do we know this date?)

Or maybe we could do it on a weekend day, so more people can participate. Hey, why not make the TCK Awareness week?! LOL (ok, this is very long-term and just an idea!)

I'll let you know if I have more ideas.

Does anyone know exactly which day the term 'TCK' or 'Global Nomad' was coined? The day the terminology was made offical? I think that would be the best day to make TCK day.
If you like, instead of having it as a fixed date, it can be a every first Monday of a particular month kind of thing.
The T-shirt idea and the video thing is really cool.

Combination of: video, t shirts, use of you tube, facebook, leaflets, and defintely try to get the support of unesco! How about coffee or tea mornings, inviting friends to raise funds. themed parties each participant could hold a party with food from the different cultures they have lived in....raise awareness in ones own locality. Make use of places like universities to distribute information. Lots more stuff but a brief leaflet would be an easy way of informing people. The video could be used at gatherings. Contact Missionary societies, churches , intenational companies, get them to sponsor an event..that way they become aware of issues faced by the children of adults who are their employees and can educate others too!

I am all for raising awareness about TCKs. But some of us live in places where we don't really know any other self-identifying TCKs. So some of the suggestions aren't gonna work if we go solo on it. Plus, as an Asian looking person living in Perth (Australia), screaming on the streets, keeping silent, going to the airport with a sign is just not gonna work. That will just enforce local negative stereotypes about Asians. The T-shirt idea sounds good though, and it might be even better if it includes an explanation or slogan of what TCKs are. We can even wear it anytime we feel like it after. Good conversation starter. We can also post a link on our Facebook to the Youtube clip everyday for a week so our non-TCK friends will notice it. (I like the video idea.)

I like the idea of a YouTube video. My idea would take some significant planning however, I think it would be great to have someone start off with a question like "Where do I belong?" while they are walking have the scene behind them change to different locations around the world and them saying each time "I belong here" & "here". That or multiple people in multiple locations around the world. Finally at the end, "I belong nowhere, and everywhere, I am a TCK."

Just an idea.

Well, make it official. Get someone famous to endorse it. Like John Kerry.........

I say we pick a day when there's nothing else going on. Jan 1st is already in the holiday season. Like March 3rd or June 25th or just a randomn date off the calendar :)

Hi Brice,
I would try to start a video on Yuotube. You can make a video contest race or a video where everyone attach a piece to it. You peack a music and a basic message. Then I would try to organize something with the help of UNESCO. When I was in Japan I was luky to assist to a UNESCO multicultural dance festival. It was fantastic and there was the exciting and inclusive atmoshpere that only people from around the world can give in an event where you share something that everyone has in common, but is different at the same time.
I think the best talent of 3rd cultural people (not only Kid,but also Adults) is to be inclusive and to have a more open vison of the world, a world without barriers.
We should add a Third Cultural Heritage to the UNESCO list (http://portal.unesco.org).

Marry Christmas to all of you.

I love the YouTube idea but the message is a little negative for my taste. How about just a message that uses the word "everywhere" -- like "American from Everywhere" or "I'm not from here -- I'm from everywhere." Or "Passport from the USA -- Citizen of the World." An airport backdrop is cool, but you could use any landmark or scenery typical of wherever you happen to be at the time.

International schools are natural targets for an international day of anything, but especially for a third-culture kid day. School newsletters and the PTA would be really helpful. Using the chameleon (or whatever logo) and explaining what it means would also help sell the idea and make it more recognizable.

The silence and Screaming thing would be a difficult task for me as at work not talking and not wearing my uniform would probably get me in trouble. Although I think that maybe using badges and ribbons and what not would help to make the event more flexible for those who cant easily run to International schools to help promote awareness.
Especially in a place like Perth where I haven't heard of international schools, only international students.
I like Cattt's idea of a pot luck picnic thing, where people can share food, but I'd like tp expand on it and maybe do a bit of like a funfair thing where people can play games, eat food and listen to stories of how others live in other countries and cltures.

I love the idea of the T-shirt! I'd wear it....A LOT! haha

However, we also have to keep in mind that TCKs can be found in just about any (and every) country! and English might look like some alien-print to some.
But then again, no one can always win...=P and i guess for now, English is the most widely 'used' language...

We could also make pamphlets or something similar and distribute them. written in different languages for non-english 'users' (and we have to keep in mind cultural differences as well). And since we have so many people around who are fluent in more than 1 language, this should not be too huge a problem...!

Own ideas: maybe something like a tree-planting near one's current place of residence, not a new tree every year necessarily -- if one does not move to a new place, but TCKid could provide tablets for the trees (saying who planted the tree, when, why)...

Great ideas, I too vote to have a combination of them. I am not sure how a Silent Day could be implemented where I work - I HAVE to talk, and there aren't any other TCKs/ATCKs that I know of yet.

Also vote for using Ruth Hill Useem's birthday - seems fitting.

Raising an awareness is a great idea. Though, you should take into account of the TCKs who live in a non-western sphere and developing countries where the term TCK is extremely unheard of and only by screaming or playing silence even for weeks just wouldn't make people care enough. Plus, they may instead get a negative impression about us.

I guess you can have all sort of activities going but to start with, don't forget to break the ice through media, by producing educational video, booklets, and a survival guide for TC Kids and have them available online, in schools, universities and especially international schools and ESL classes (English as Second Language).

Could we not just do a mixture of the things? Why limit it to just one. We all have different life styles, obviously, and different 'actions/celebrations' will be applicable to each of us.
I think it would be a great idea to expand on the ideas we already have!
We could do t-shirts, badges
Post the event on facebook/myspace/bebo and put a slogan for TCKID up on our page
We could do a 'tell a friend' marathon possibly where people tried to tell as many people as they could
Or if it was possible we could organise various meetups, around the world where we all brought in a dish from one of the countries we had lived in and do a lunch thing, and since we want to spread the word of TCK, we could bring a friend to the meetup, and have them experience foods from all over the world.

i think not too many people know about what TCK really is ... specially in the German speaking world this is not a common knowlegde. So I would say, let us try to get the message through what we mean with TCKs. And International schools are the best to start with!

I'm not very creative, so don't have a suggestion, but would very much like to participate - but there will need to be a way to do this that doesn't jeopardise people's jobs! I can't be silent at work, or wear a T-shirt, or spend the day at an airport. Maybe there could be a variety of things that people do that raise awareness in different ways on an agreed date?

I like Aro and Krista's idea - T-shirts are great conversational starters and international schools could get involved.

Keep the ideas coming!

Apologies to the first 12 voters: let me recount your votes:

5 votes for:
Create a "Where TCKs belong" video. We can raise awareness by going to airports (or wherever you feel you belong) with a sign that reads: "I belong everywhere and nowhere.". And put it on Youtube

3 votes for A Screaming Day. walk around with a t-shirt that says in large prints "Proud to be a TCKID".

3 votes for: (I think we can do better than that. I want to suggest my own idea.)

1 votes for Play games that are educational in getting people to understand what a TCK is.

Josh - great idea!! That's the perfect date. I vote for May 31st, Dr. Ruth Useem's birthday. :)

I like them all. The Tshirt you can wear around and it'd be a great conversation starter. The video you could share and create awareness and involving Int'l schools is great too since it is filled with TCKs. I also like the games idea because getting people to walk in someone else's shoes and see their point of view, really brings "home" the message and understanding.

An International Third Culture Day. What a fantastic idea!!!

I'd like to suggest May 31st as the date, as that was Dr. Ruth Useem's birthday, and she was the one who first coined the terms Third Culture and Third Culture Kid:

http://www.tckworld.com/useem/home.html

Here are some examples of how the Gay and Lesbian community uses a Silent Day:
http://www.dayofsilence.org/

And this:

Bali promotes World Silent Day
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/10/23/b...

I love the youtube vid idea! That way we could get lots of exposure fairly quickly. That silence day doesn't seem as effective to me. I mean, usually people don't come up to you and ask why you're silent just because. Playing games would be fun but how would non-TCK's join?

I'd suggest an idea but I don't have one at the moment. This is awesome stuff though!xD

How would the silent day work? If people ask you why you are not talking are we met to answer? then we are not really silent.

As an ATCK, now raising her own TCKer's I'd like to see the involvement of International Schools, worldwide. Perhaps, an appointed individual to a school (s)in their particular city can distribute material etc from this particualr website prior to the date/ anniversary. I believe that there is so much more that schools can do to involve themselves in educating the children on this particular topic. Just a thought!

A big multicultural fiesta party! Get TCKIDs to showcase their various cultural backgrounds and have everyone join in! we are all TCKIDs in a way.

I really like the idea of a t-shirt contest. Also a proper video. Super high quality-- maybe we can get some TCK celeb or several, interested in doing some of the narration or an interview. Would perhaps raise awareness about TCK's

Oh and I also love the video idea. We can each do a minute of sketch about us or something...I don't know, but something that's unique to us.

Ok, I got some thoughts bounced around with Brice, here goes:

Instead of a Silence Day, how about a Screaming Day instead? I think as TCKs we've been silent enough, no one usually ask anything about us anyways and when we do talk they shut us down. So instead of remaining silent, how about let's tell the world who we really are?

Maybe we can walk around with a t-shirt that says in large prints "Proud to be a TCK" or carry a sign that says that and list all the countries each of us lived in.

And I nominate Nov 5th as TCK day since it was the day this site has launched (or somewhere's in Nov since Brice cannot remember clearly exactly which date LOL).

Great suggestions.

@Miyon: That's a great idea to raise awareness. A silence day could get viral if every TCK around the world refuses to speak on a specific day. I think a student group did something similar. They decided to stay still and not move one day for 5 minutes to raise awareness of some issue... and it worked!

@Ayako: Games are fun :D I fully support that idea. Maybe someone who has game ideas could help make more suggestions on how it could work.

Maybe play games that are educational in getting people to understand what a TCK is.

It could be a card game or a board game like monopoly but you'd have TCK themes, i.e. acquiring languages, cultures, passports, etc.

Instead of Go to Jail it could be : Repatriation - for example. :p

When you draw stuff from that box you get nice things like additional passports to different countries.

Bad cards would be things like getting stuck with some redneck who rants and raves about how great their country is and how evil everyone else is.

Good and bad will all be based on things TCKs dislike or like the most.

It will be a generalization of course but I think we can work in things from Ruth's book etc in here.

I hope someone who's more into games will think about how to do this more and come up with something.

How about a Silence Day.
You refuse to speak on that day. People will ask you why you are not speaking and ask you questions. A perfect opportunity to discuss the concept and issues of TCK :)

I really love that T-shirt design competition idea! We could have some prize too? We do need some funds, so this could be a great idea along with video.


Keep the ideas coming!

Competition of some kind. T-shirt logo?

Something motivating...

How about a proper TCKid video? Ask for video send-ins. We could get it done, between you and me. We'll see how many we get and play with that. I saw you toyed around with video editing too, and then set a deadline, give us a bit of time to work on it and put it up on YouTube on the day.

As for a day, meh. Don't ask me. ^^

When should we celebrate: I propose we celebrate on January 1st. What do you think?

Post something encouraging about being a TCK. Something inspirational.

Some TCKs have suggested the following:

- Raise awareness by going to the airport or wherever you feel you belong, with a sign that reads: "I belong here" and make a short video. We can compile all the videos from TCKs around the world and put it on Youtube. It could make the news and spread everywhere.

- Send postcards to other TCKs you haven't met around the world. It's the Holiday seasons!

- Buy a Chameleon, Plant a flower.

Share your ideas!