Story Four:

​

Date: October 2019

​

I have been living in a sheltered community of Echo Park for the last 38 years of my life. Echo Park was predominantly Hispanics and Asians in the late 80s and 90s. Just recently, due to gentrification, we are experiencing many diverse cultures in our wonderful Echo Park community. As I mentioned earlier, I was sheltered in a familiar community. Growing up, I was the sociable person in my family and among friends. I now have a “rainbow” of friends: Caucasians, Blacks, Hispanics, Iranian, Filipinos, and of course, “my brothers and sisters” (gays and lesbians).

​

Just 3 years ago, I was offered a teaching job at Los Angeles technology center. I had no idea where the school was because I did not travel to that part of town; I had no reason to. For the last 3 years I stopped at Starbucks on Crenshaw and Coliseum before going to class. Initially, I was in a cultural shock because I was never surrounded by a lot of black people. I did not know what to expect or how to properly communicate with the people of that community. I felt a uncomfortable at first because I felt I was the only Asian person there. I felt uneasy, like I did not belong. Many years have gone by, I got to know the baristas behind the counters. I greeted and communicated with them. I got to know one of the baristas, Sheron. She and I had a friendly relationship. She greeted me by name,and I her. I started to feel more comfortable being in that Starbucks because I made a friend. I realized that the longer I stayed the better I felt about the people and the community. I explored and ventured out to the many restaurants. I began to feel at ease making conversation with everyone I saw. I met Matt at that Starbucks. He was a tall black man with a bushy set of hair. I noticed that he was reading a book about Buddhism. I took a minute to acknowledge what he was reading was interesting and explained to him that I, too, was into the subject. We had some connections there. I felt very comfortable since we had the same interests. He shared his philosophy of Buddhism and his breathing techniques to help me improve my “consciousness”.

​

Again, this experience helped me to trust the community, and it allowed me to feel as safe as I would in my own community. This made a big difference in my cultural competency. Because we do not know what to expect, we presume or assume. After continued exposure, I learned to understand different types of people and places in a more meaningful way, I often use the acronym LEARN. This comes from a “Cultural Competency” course I took from Kari Bower and Shawn Griffin.

​

I feel more confident being in any community because all I must do:

​

L-isten to the people

E-mpathize more

A-ccepting difference isnt agreement. Actions come from long held msgs about right and wrong try to understand these reasons.

R-eact with non-judgement

N-otate by remembering what you hear from members of other cultures. Try to apply them.

​

Overall, this course and my experience spending so much time in another community, has opened my eyes to how I can be more empathetic to a person’s perspectives and style of life.

 

Submitted By: Khar K.

​

Story Three:

​

Date: August 2019

​

When I was in high school, I went to a friends family party for her birthday. I'm a Latina with dark coloring. I think I was the only dark person at the party, which made me kinda self conscious. While standing in the front entry talking to other friends, a woman came in the door and handed me her coat without looking at me. She thought I was a servant. I told her I didnt know where the coats went. I tried to laugh it off to my friends standing with me. It was so uncomfortable! Why do people make assumptions so quickly based on my skin tone? I wish she would have just asked us "Anybody know where the coats go?" Why is that so hard?

​

Submitted By: Arianna

​

Story Two:​

​

Date: May 2019

​

My uncles drive long hall trucks in Texas. They move produce up to Chicago.  Since the election of Donald Trump they say people treat them differently all through the midwest route.  For instance, they never had a problem finding diesel or a shower at a stop. They said everyone used to say hello and smile but now are told "no diesel here"  or "shower is out" very often.  They say most whites don't look their way or give dirty looks. So weird the same people on the same route treat them different since trump is president! 

 

Submitted By: Unlisted

​

Story One:

​

Date: February 2019

​

While searching for a car on Craigslist, I had this text exchange with a woman at a Koreatown dealership selling the car:

 

Me: Hello, is the MDX still available? 

 

Woman selling car: What are you? Where are you?

 

Me: What do you mean?

 

Woman selling car: Are you American? 

 

Me: Why does that matter? 

 

Woman selling car: Well, are you African? Are you Mexican? What are you?  (No answer ....decided to to respond)

 

Me: I am a White American woman, why? 

 

Woman selling car: Oh good, thats best kind.  This is high level car was driven by my boss.  He very high level. When you want see? 

 

WOW!!  I DIDN'T REPLY!

 

Submitted By: Karisue 

​

​