Children and Diversity

Jacky Sam

Section A02

Response 1: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Census 2010

Since the first grade, I remember my school was always excited for the new school year, mainly because school started around the same time our community had its Multi-Cultural Festival. I grew up in a diverse community; my class even consisted of Chinese, African American, Vietnamese, Russian, Moldovan, Indian, Native American, Russian, and Mexican. Everyone was accepting of each other's ethnic cultures, and how being part of that culture makes that person unique.

Now it seems that uniqueness is not so much of a good thing. I would have never thought as a first grade student that being Chinese American would be an issue. People take ethnicity into account for jobs, education, health insurance, business, etc. I'm curious to know how schools are teaching children about diversity now. For children of color who dream of becoming doctors one day,  are teachers telling them that only 20% of Asian Americans will receive their doctorates?

Question: How has your community shaped your perspective of diversity?

Children preparing for performance at Elk Grove's Multi-Cultural Festival 2013