Cynthia Geisen - You Are You, I Am Me: Understanding Diversity

You Are You, I Am Me

Understanding Diversity

Cynthia Geisen

Illustrations by R. W. Alley

A Message to Parents, Teachers, and Other Caring Adults

Diversity is all around us. The window in my study overlooks a dozen different kinds of trees. My neighborsvaried in size, shape, ethnicity, and agewalk dogs ranging from golden retrievers to dachsunds. (I have yet to see my neighbors take their pet pot-bellied pig for a stroll, however). Diversity is not an exotic reality, but the stuff of our daily lives.

Children are not very old when they begin to notice diversity and wonder about it. Why do birds have feathers rather than fur? Why do we live in an apartment instead of a house? Why is my skin brown and Susies white?

For better or worse, it doesnt take long for children to absorb the values adults assign to racial, ethnic, economic, and religious differences. For instance, when Martin Luther King was in preschool, his best friend was white. The two friends were about to start first grade when Martin learned that his friend would be attending a different school. His friends mother never again allowed her son to play with Martin because he was black. Martins mother tried to comfort her sad, angry, and confused son, assuring him of his value and importance.

Parents and other caring adults are the most important interpreters of diversity for the children we love. Through our words and actions, we teach the children in our lives to regard difference either as something to be celebrated or feared, welcomed or opposed. In addition, we have the opportunity to help children discover the paradox that our differences simply cloak the bone-deep similarities that unite all people.

In her poem Underneath Were All the Same, Amy Maddox wrote, He prayedit wasnt my religion. He ateit wasnt what I ate. He spokeit wasnt my language. He dressedit wasnt the color of mine. But when he laughedit was how I laughed, and when he criedit was how I cried. Pointing to the mystery that we are both different and the same is the aim of this book. I hope you will enjoy sharing it with a child you love.

Cindy Geisen

God Loves to Create Lots of Different Things

O pen the curtains. Look all around you. What do you see? Clouds floating across the sky? Trees swaying in the breeze? Birds flying through the air? Tall buildings?

O pen your ears. What sounds do you hear? Birds chirping? Dogs barking? Horns honking? Music playing? People talking?

T ake a deep breath. What do you smell? Grass thats just been cut? Exhaust fumes? The smell of curry coming from your neighbors kitchen?

S ee, hear, and smell all the awesome things God has made. Remember: YOU are Gods amazing creation, too!

We Are Unique AND Alike

D id you know that over 7,000,000,000 people are living across the world? But none of us is exactly the same.

T hink about your family, your friends, your neighbors. No one has your smile. No one sings just like you. No other person in the world draws or dances or dreams exactly like you. You are ONE-OF-A-KIND.

B UT, people throughout the whole world are also alike. Just like you, people everywhere laugh when they feel happy and cry when they feel sad. Just like you, they love and are loved.

Outside, We Look Different Inside, Were the Same

C lose your eyes. Picture the kids in your school. Is everyones hair the same length? Does everyone have the same color skin? Do all the kids in your class wear glasses?

O f course not! None of us looks, walks, or talks the same. God made us in many different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Y et, deep down, we are very much alike. We want to have friends. We feel hurt when others push us away. When we are sick or scared, we are glad to get a hug from someone who loves us.

We Have Different Talents, But Were All Good at Something

W hat do you do well? Maybe you can spell big words or add large numbers. You might draw amazing dinosaurs or write beautiful poems. It could be that you run like a gazelle or sing like a bird.

B ut, there are also things that you might not do so well. Maybe you have a hard time understanding math or kicking a soccer ball.

W e all are good at something, but none of us is good at everything. The world needs people with different talents. Where would we be if everyone was good at dancing, but no one could play music?

We Like to Do Different Things

M aybe you enjoy splashing through water on a hot day, but your brother prefers to read a book under a tree. Your dad might like classical music while your mom listens to rock and roll. Some people like to be quiet, while others are happiest in a noisy room filled with people.

E ach of us likes to do different things. It might seem easier to only do the things that you already like or only the things you do well. BUT, trying something new can be fun. AND, you might make a new friend along the way!