Differences and Similarities

I am really enjoying Howard's We Can't Teach What We Don't Know. With each turning of a page comes new insights and thoughts. Though there are many things I could explain that I like about the book so far, I would like to pinpoint some of Howard's statements that stuck out to me.

One of the first stories Howard tells is about a double date that he went on. His friend's girlfriend had a friend who wanted to go, so Howard went on the date-- with a black girl. Before the date, Howard explains that he felt awkward, nervous, and actually fearful. He goes on to say that the date was fun, and he had a great time. His realization after the date was what struck me though: we need to be aware of both our differences and our similarities to people from other cultures. This thought may seem simple and straightforward, but it goes beyond the easy; the meaning behind it is profound. 



Key words from 1 Corinthians 12

Reading this made me think of something else-- 1 Corinthians 12. I am a professing Christian, and believe strongly in God's word, the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explains that the body of Christ is made up of many believers, all with various, beauitful, unique gifts and talents. Each member of the body must do their part in order for the body of Christ to work as God intended it too. These verses go along great with Howard's statement. We are called to recognize the differences between various cultures, and view those variances as benefits, not as misfortunes. We need to see how those dissimilarities can help us learn from each other and be better servants to not just each other, but ultimately God.

I feel challenged by this statement. Sure, it's easy to notice the differences, but to actually view the diversity among us as a benefit? That's a completely different story.

Another story that Howard tells is when he volunteered at "the Hill", an impoverished neighborhood six blocks away from his Harvard education. Initially Howard believed he could be a missionary there, someone who points the African-American teenagers in the right direction. What Howard did not expect was how much he himself would learn from the kids he visited. He began to realize that the Hill youth represented a huge American reality, and he understood that he could "no longer be the self-righteous missionary with the answers for others. [He] could only hope to be one small part of a seemingly overwhelming struggle for healing and social justice" (Howard, 1999, p. 14).

I believe strongly that those who God has called to be teachers have that same responsibility-- to somehow find a way to fix the intense social problems of our world. I am not naive enough to think it will be a simple solution, but I do believe that it is something we as Christians are called to do. There are many verses in the Bible where God commands us to take care of those who cannot fend for themselves. As followers of Christ, we are supposed to show His love to all those we come in contact with in the best ways possible. Letting this social problem continue will not exhibit love to anyone. As Deuteronomy 15:11 states: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward those of your people who are poor and needy in your land."  God has commanded us to care for those who cannot take care of themselves.

Howard goes on to say that his most influential teachers were his young Black students at the Hill; they taught him more about his race and White privilege than his Yale professors ever did. He describes himself as rejecting his racial identity, causing him to believe that the racial problem's core was in the White America. This thought made him choose to go back to home and work this new angle. It is an intriguing thought to me, and I am cusious to see how Howard goes about doing so. Stay tuned to find out! :)