SCHOOL is a place of learning. We know. But a place where parents learn? Yes, I mean, from my own experience.
One of the best things about our son’s school is that his class is so ethnically diverse. Just some other Caucasian kids. There is a mix of different cultures, including some of the Muslim faith. Now, in terms of other religions, I’m kind of protected. I haven’t had much exposure to Islam people before, though I’ve learned a lot more about Islam in the last year or so. I remain curious to get to know my fellow man better.
My son and I got to school early on a recent sunny day and met Abram (not his real name) whose son is in my son’s class. Being in kindergarten they are friends, of course. Four- and five-year-olds have not yet faced divisive divisiveness in schoolyard politicking.
Well, our children run out to the playground leaving that awkwardness that exists between parents who have never been so close. It’s not unusual for me to take the plunge, so I did. And so we chatted for a full five minutes. We learned from each other: what we do at work, family structures, and the philosophies we’ve developed over the years.
Just having found Abram, God showed me some new things about him, and therefore about me. First of all, as we spent face-to-face time, I was able to look into his face and eyes long enough to realize that he wasn’t as old as I had first imagined him to be. (Knowing people changes perception). Second, his Somali accent reminded me of the language barrier that exists between us. that he understood, trusting the general direction of the conversation. This was a reminder to me me disability – my lack of language and hearing ability. Third, it was clear to me that this man before me had insight that I did not. Before we met, he had forced me to make assumptions about what kind of person he was. That is an admission of my humanity. God was reminding me of my propensity to judge everything I perceive, even those made in his image.
I have deduced the following:
Genuine community is always about embracing diversity among the different, starting from the root in ‘the two of us’.
Judgments are challenged and often overturned when reality is met, and that’s always a healthy thing.
Looking at the face of another human being is a reminder of our innate similarity, no matter how cultures separate us.
Community makes us better, because only when we come together can our different gifts coalesce into a stronger force for good.
