"Playing" to the Level of Those Around Us

As I watched the Utah Jazz basketball team the other night lose horribly to one of the worst teams in the NBA I was reminded that all of us more often than not "play" to the level of those around us. Pondering on this brought to remembrance the following:

• If we want to become a better tennis player choose to play with those who are better than we are even though we always lose.
• Take the harder classes from the hardest teachers who push us to be and do more in order to learn more even though we may sacrifice an A and our grade point average.
• Choose peers who have high standards and strive for excellence as we usually attain the same academic level and character level as those around us.
• Seek out those things which are lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy--such as the best books that inspire us.
• Remember that less is more such as being willing to pay a higher price for quality even though it means we can afford less items.
• Seek out the best mentors who drive us to reach our potential.

Potential

Last spring I wrote a paper for a Linguistics class about the importance of cultural/ethnic identity. In the paper I said:

Did you hear about the time when a president went to visit a nursing home?

He walked up to a lady in a wheel chair and tried to be polite, but found that he wasn't being very successful at carrying on a conversation with her. Finally, in desperation he said, "Ma'am, do you know who I am?"
She answered, "No sir, I don't know who you are--but if you go up to that desk they can tell you."
Everyone wants to be recognized for who they are.

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study was to determine if ethnic/cultural identity was important to Utah Hispanics/ Latinos who had achieved academic success. Because the fervor in Utah (and the U.S.) right now is “English Only” and the desire to assimilate our culturally and linguistically diverse students as soon as possible, this study wanted to determine if there might be a more productive alternative. The hypothesis is that Utah Hispanics/Latinos who retain and value their ethnic/cultural identity while also learning the rules, customs, practices, perspectives, etc. of the dominant culture, will experience greater academic success. This hypothesis is based on the rationale that students who retain their primary ethnic/cultural identity will have stronger family ties as families are critical to young people developing a strong sense of identity. This strong sense of identity and identification with ethnic cultural values can serve as protective factors (Alford, 2006) . One’s primary culture can offer support as a young person deals with the stress and anxiety when striving to adapt to new roles and social expectations in a new culture (Decapua & Wintergerst, 2004) Young people who are made to feel that they have to sacrifice one culture for another, may experience a feeling of not truly fitting in anywhere. Plus, having two cultures from which to draw strength can only make students that much richer as a person.

The research for this paper supported the fact that young people who are able to navigate both the dominant culture and their heritage culture do better not only academically, but also in life generally. They have a greater sense of who they are.


Yet, there is an important component to remember as we strive to help young people realize their potential. Their potential lies not in any particular cultural or ethnic identity. Potential lies in the fact that they are literally children of God. When we think deeply about what that means, it can have a profound impact on how we interact with our diverse learners.


Once again I'm reminded of the words of C. S. Lewis and how they relate to our diverse learners:

"It is a serious thing," says Lewis, "to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship...... There are no 'ordinary' people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.

--C. S. Lewis, From The Weight of Glory.