The neighborhood I grew up in was small. One would not notice it on a map. It was a part of a larger city, where people did not talk to one another. The city would be noticed by name, but the people were hard and calloused. Nobody seemed to like one another. It appeared one of the reasons were the many differences between everybody. I did not notice this until I was older.
This is one of the greatest ways my neighborhood changed me: it made me accepting of others. There were many different types of people who lived in my neighborhood. They came from different backgrounds, some spoke two languages, and many were different races and nationalities. Somehow, however, we all felt a part of the same collective family. The larger community let these differences divide them, not seeing the strengths in this multicultural atmosphere. In my smaller neighborhood, we saw how many different things we could learn from one another based on these differences, and we thrived because of it.
For example, I remember learning to count from zero to ten in two different languages as a child. While I do not remember how to now, I thought it was unique and fun then. My mother learned traditional German cooking from one of our neighbors, and gave her traditional recipes from our family. Once, our neighborhood held a potluck block party with the best, though most varied food I have ever tasted. There was a small raffle, where each family was instructed to bring something indicative of where they were from. I did not understand then how each piece was representative of each family’s background and, while I am sure many items were stereotypical, everybody had fun.
Well into my youth, a Spanish family moved into the neighborhood. They had two children who did not speak English. The parents only spoke Spanish, as well. They looked slightly skittish, being around so many different people of so many different backgrounds. In our community, fortunately, we had two families who spoke Spanish and English. They helped the family move in, translated, and even helped them learn a few English words. We had learned a little Spanish, as well, and the family was able not to feel left out of their new surroundings. I assume this reduced the stress of being in a new place, and allowed them to feel more comfortable and welcome in their new surroundings .
I had never thought of the neighborhood I grew up in as anything special, but when I look back, it was. I learned how to accept everybody, no matter his or her situation or background. More importantly, I learned everybody as a story to tell and something to teach me. So many people in this world assume if a person is different, they are lesser, but I understand if they are different, they are just a new friend waiting to be made.
Works Cited
Yakunina, Elena S. "International Students' Personal and Multicultural Strengths: Reducing Acculturative Stress and Promoting Adjustment." Journal of Counseling and Development (2013): 216-223. Print.
