Growing with diversity

It has been said that the beginning of wisdom for any person is to recognize that he/she does not know everything.

And while each of us can get busy learning more, the awareness that we don’t know it all ought to seep deeply into our spirit and influence how we interact with people. Developing cultural competence is an ongoing process and as we increase our knowledge about people and our skills for working with people, we should also be mindful of how we make our respective journey.

I remember meeting with a parent when I was a high school assistant principal. Her child was being suspended for fighting and she was very upset. She was very loud, angry, and exclaiming that the school was out to get her son and that it was all unfair. I listened and at first felt my professional position of justice welling up inside. I was preparing to defend the action we were taking. But somewhere in the midst of her tirade and after getting a hold of my own feelings and thoughts, I sought to understand where she was coming from. I had to listen differently. I had to park my own view and try to see it from her perspective. In that moment, I sensed something significant under the substance of her presentation. When it was appropriate, I said softly, “You love your son and you are afraid for his safety with the decisions he is making.” She said, “Yes!” and burst into tears. The rest of the meeting was a heartfelt conversation — not about the suspension or consequences, which she understood. The conversation was about how he got to this place in his life, what we could do, what she could do and what her son needed to do to get back on the right track. It was wonderful to see that student graduate a couple years later and to see her face on that day.

In public education, we interact with many diverse people. All persons have some things in common and at the same time aspects of their being that are unique. Who are the people around you? How do you compare in terms of age, gender, race or ethnicity, appearance, life experiences, abilities, education, training, religion, interests, political views, life perspectives, etc.? There are infinite possible combinations of these variables, and each is special and of value.

Our early life experiences influence how we see our self, and how we look at others. Being uncomfortable around people we see as “different” impacts how we interact with them. All of us can learn by being a student of life, paying attention, reading, taking classes and other intentional ways to increase or widen our “lens.” This “lens” is the view we use to see and interact with all people. With the best of intentions and given limited time, we can each make progress to become more competent, grow with diversity and widen our “lens.” It might not be possible to fully understand all people; still, we can be a work in progress. This growth is worthy as it enhances the quality of all relationships.

It helps to understand that some approach interactions with specific expectations; when these expectations are not met they have a negative experience or reaction — regardless of the intent. Can we look at contacts with another person, from the other person’s perspective, or at least if we don’t know it exactly, can we be aware and understand that there is another perspective?

We are all better served in relationships when we appreciate that we don’t know all there is to know about another person. As we seek to learn more, we are wise to be sensitive in interactions and really work to show all people dignity and respect. Can we seek to understand others well enough to treat them the way they want to be treated? That is widening our “lens” and being more inclusive of life views other than our own. It takes time and a willing heart. It is a journey and it is of value for each of us and those we meet on our respective paths in life.

Thank you for being on this course and for your care and thoughtful steps along the way.

Dr. Nick Brossoit is superintendent of the Edmonds School District.