Dual existence

The question for this blog to answer is: Have you observed "dual existence" and how do you create a classroom in which "dual existence" is dissolved? First I must point out that my wife and I are adopting a Mexican girl and have been in the process for 11 years. Our daughter has lived with us here since she was 2 months old, she is now 11. There is a store in Rutherford county that is near our house in which I experienced dual existence most clearly. My daughter and I used to visit that store so often that both my kids called it the "little store". Each time my daughter and I went to the store they would ask if my daughter was of mixed ethnic origin and I would remind them that she was Mexican. One day we were the only ones in the store and we were ready to pay for our ice cream and the clerk asked us if we were in a hurry and we said no. She then walked out the door and slammed the door shut. There was a Mexican man walking into the parking lot and she proceeded to cuss the man out in English and slam the door in his face preventing him from entering. Calmly she then took our money and told me that she didn't want to serve any non-English speaking people. We walked outside and proceeded to pick the man up in my pickup and take him to his house. When we arrived at his house I asked what he wanted at the store and he said, "I only wanted a coke to drink because it's hot outside today." After hearing this my daughter and I went back to the store and she went in and bought the man a coke and we took it to him. The clerk never asked my daughter anything or acted rude to my daughter.

My students also exhibit dual existence in that the school is multi-ethnic but the groups very seldom interact in a positive manner. Most of my Hispanic students want to return to Mexico after finishing school because they see a lack of respect and work ethic in many of my American students, whereas my American students respect the work ethic of many of my Hispanic students. Many of the students from the three major ethnic groups don't want to understand the others' cultures or don't have enough opportunities to appreciate different cultures.

To dissolve this "dual existence" we, as teachers, have a responsibility to create opportunities for cultural appreciation and breaking down of stereotypes formed by all groups in a given class or situation. This can be done by connecting with our students and providing class time to celebrate our differences and find similarities in culture. We must also foster the realization amongst our students that while we are different we share the same dreams and hopes fro the future.