A Forum for Community Issues : Making a Difference : Bringing Cultures Together, Kid-Style

Fifth and sixth graders in Room 34 at Elizabeth Street School’s Los Angeles Learning Center were asked to think of ways they could help to create tolerance in their neighborhood. The students live in the southeast Los Angeles community of Cudahy, where more than 90% of the residents are Latino. But it’s also a community of longtime residents mixed with newcomers who are grappling with a different culture and surroundings. Teacher Deborah Kagan explains that her students wanted the list published “so that Angelenos can reach out and get to know, and not fear, new immigrants in their neighborhood.” Here are their suggestions: *

Ask people questions about themselves and their culture. *

Have a pet show. *

Share things people don’t have, like clothes, toys and shoes. *

Help people learn language, money, how to get around, where to go and live. *

Teach people games, how to read, speak and write English, how to drive. *

Invite them to party or picnic. *

Introduce people to your friends, and show them around. *

Babysit people’s children. *

Share taking care of community / environment. *

Share food and exchange recipes. *

Teach people different ways of dancing. *

Care for and take care of each other.