"love thy neighbor as thyself [...]"

Our readings for today can be summarized and synthesized by one word: change. In "New Demography of America's Schools", we read about the changing population in the United States and the population that is therefore present in public schools today. In "Who Speaks English Today?" we read about the "new" Englishes that are developing across the world, and the global impact of English in social and political terms. In the third article about culture, we read about the impact that the aforementioned changing population has on the United States, its schools, and its economy. Things - English, language, the world, the United States, American public schools, language instructional methods - are changing!

Rather than just looking ahead, I really appreciated Diaz-Rico and Weed's chapter that discussed the historical perspectives of language and culture in the United States and the potential impact that this has on the future. I think it is very valuable to look back rather to see what has been done in the past, what worked, and what needs to, once again, change.

The authors write: "In many cases, this exploitation continues to this day, as the underclass of the United States, whether white, brown, or black, is inadequately paid and under-educated, forced to live without health benefits or adequate housing. Temporary jobs without benefits are the hallmark of the crueler, harsher world of the 21st century as economic and political forces polarize society. The most difficult piece of the puzzle is the challenge of population growth. Creating jobs for a burgeoning population that will provide the financial means for the purchase of health care, education, housing, and adequate diet is the issue. The population in 2050 is projected to consist largely of developing nation's peoples. The challenge is evident. Wrongs from the past cannot be righted, but present and future citizens can avoid these wrongs by understanding exploitative measures and working for change" (222).

We have so much - but we aren't entitled to what we have! There is a often-forgotten underclass that has so little. We've been blessed with what we have. Mankind must be willing to forgive one another, to admit where we've been wrong and/or wronged others, and to be willing to change. Perhaps this means a lifestyle change, or an attitude change. Perhaps this means a change of heart. Perhaps it means a change of instructional methods so that students who usually remain on the outside can come in and learn.

How much do I love my neighbor? (St. Mark 12:31)