Long ago a man spoke to staff in the school system where I worked and he implored us to "seek the story in the stranger." Fortunately as an educator in a school system with a fair amount of diversity, I was introduced to people from multiple cultures, religions, and places all over the globe, and those people who were at first strangers to me enriched my life with many stories of their lives past and present. These stories gave me greater sensitivity, compassion, knowledge, and understanding of the world around me. In so many ways, the students, families, and colleagues I worked with educated me about our wonderfully diverse world. I loved this aspect of the job.
Now, as I read reports of hate crimes that harm and hurt lives, I am reminded of that wise man's speech and wonder how many of us jump to judgement and prejudice rather than seeking the story in the stranger. How can we counter dead-end judgement and embrace greater curiosity, interest, and care for one another?
One interaction with a "stranger" came to mind today as I watched the video of a horrible hate crime against an Asian woman in New York. It was the story of a courageous young Chinese-American woman during the Chinese Revolution. Our discussion about her child's academic performance, needs, and interests led to the woman telling me about her history during this time, a history that required great sacrifice, courage, and perseverance. Her story forever broadened my perspective with regard to the many Chinese-American families I worked with in my school. I was happy that I had the time and open mind to hear that story, and I was glad that that woman had the courage and foresight to educate me.
So many stories by people who were once strangers have impacted my perspective of the world around me. I've heard those stories in person, read those stories in books and articles, and viewed those stories via film and television. I have always been curious about the lives of others. As a young child, I always wished I could trade places with people living in different places. My most memorable occassion of this wish was when my family drove into New York City for a day trip. As I looked up at the towering apartment houses and diverse people who lived in and amongst those buildings, I wondered what it was like to live there and thought it would be cool to become one of the persons living there and experience that life as they experienced it. My lively, creative cousin also introduced me to this experience when she read the book, Black like Me, at a young age. I remember her telling me about the book--it was a first experience of "seeking the story in the stranger" for me.
I don't know why there's a pervasive narrow mindedness, ignorance, judgement, and hate throughout the United States right now. I know it has been there all along as we see grave evidence of this throughout United States' history, but why does it still exist? What can we do to change this?
For me, I'll continue to "seek the stories in strangers" to learn more, gain greater empathy, broaden my view, and serve better. I can do this via reading, engagement, and social media interaction. I'll also be on the lookout for good ideas about how we can all work against this hate and violence. What do you think we can do?