We can only know anything by the experiences and opportunities we have. I cannot understand anything of which I have no notion. I was broad-sided with my thoughts on who held what position while working in a doctors' office.
A woman called asking to speak to a doctor in the office. I gave the customary response, "He's with a patient now and cannot take calls unless it is an emergency. If you would like, I can take a message and he'll call you back after rounds." She was quick to reply that she was the doctor he had called and she expected to be put through immediately. (My error: Only males are doctors. I was 34 yrs at the time. I now openly confess that girls can become doctors!)
As I write, I wonder what would have happened if we both had taken time to identify ourselves to one another first and then to make the request known. Perhaps we just overlook too much at times in our harried lives.)
Suskind (Hope, 177) tells of Cedric's experience with a diverse group brought together to begin to build a group mindset. Suskind says it well:
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[code][quote]"...your identiy should come from soemthing you take pride in. It shouldn't be something that just sets you apart form other people, it should be one of those things that, you know, people generally understand is a good thing, soemthing we all share, rather than what separates us.[/quote][/code]
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I made a grand mistake working with middle schoolers. I used a college exercise (Vargas' Hispanic test) to "celebrate" what we had as a class. The students were kind and I felt like all went well, but there was an undercurrent I still feel today from a few. AFter discussing the event with a mentor-type, consultant professor, I have learned that middle schoolers do not like to have their differences pointed out to them--especially by others of different groups. What they want most earnestly is to know what we all share, how we fit together as a whole.
This has changed how I see and work with others--just look for what we share. Look for ways to reach out as a whole to do great things.
It is an interesting life.