The other students, most of whom were in elementary education, did units on illustrated children's books--light, fluffy, innocuous units--fitting for classes of children, but hardly serious arguments for multiculturalism. He picked a book entitled The Other Side: Notes From the New L.A., Mexico City, and Beyond by Ruben Martinez. He chose it because of its Mexico City content (although this chapter was a small part of the book), and because he wanted to see the Hispanic point of view articulated. He told me that he was very nervous on the night he got up to give his presentation. He said that he felt as though he could be shot down at any moment--"the fate of most liberals." Jacques said that his sister was very pretty and popular. He thought that she could be a model. I asked him if his parents had any objections to that, and he said they were against it. He said that she was doing well in school, also. He thinks that his parents would like to see her finish college before she gets married. She has a white boyfriend, and gets along with his parents, but if the subject of marriage ever came up, she doesn't think that they would go for it. I asked Jacques if he sees people in terms of ethnicity, and he said no. I believe him. I really believe that Jacques is that rare person who is able to see reality--the real person. I wanted to ask him some questions about his own personal life, but I didn't want to get too personal. I decided that I had asked too many questions already. I asked him about his brother and sister in some more detail. He said that his brother had encountered some prejudice from some African American students at his high school. He said that whatever his brother did to get in trouble, he probably deserved it. I could tell that he was joking, and then he seriously added that his little brother doesn't seem to care about much of anything except watching television and hanging out with his friends. I asked him if he would rath |
