Different Cultures

I read Anna's piece about her experiences in the Asian markets with appreciation and interest. Along with being a wonderful writer, she displays sensitivity and guts. In response to Anna's invitation for us to take the risk of getting outside of our cultural comfort zones, I agree that is a good way to better understand students (and even more, parents) from other cultures who are struggling to understand the dominant culture. I first learned about being an outsider when I was the only white person among all of my black friends in junior high school. I did not have to jump the hurdle of language, and as we have been discussing the last couple of years, I also was a representative of the dominant culture. As a college student, I learned about being truly ignorant when Chinese friends took me into parts of San Francisco's Chinatown not visited by the tourists. Now, with Korean children, I find myself going to Asian markets a lot, and especially use my son to help me gain acceptance when I go to places like his barbershop. I guess that it is a minimal risk being the only Caucasian getting a hair cut. The worst thing that can happen is that I won't like the results, and my hair will grow back. I am frustrated that I know no Vietnamese, and communication is so limited. This is a long-winded way for thanking you, Anna, for encouraging all of us to take more risks and to see the world from different perspectives.
Terry