CASE STUDY The Case of . . . the Culture Clash The student population at a New Jersey high school is composed of Latinos, Whites, and Cambodians whose families have 84 recently immigrated. “We share a building, but we might as well be three separate schools,” says Cheryl Lymon, a guidance counselor. “Check out the lunchroom any day of the week. The Cambodian kids sit on the right, the White kids on the left, and the Latino kids are out on the patio.” The school has tried a variety of ideas to break up these segregated communities. “The principal outlawed any club or sport whose membership was not integrated. That shut down the Latina dance troupe, the all-White lacrosse team, and the computer animation club the Cambodian boys started, but the new rule only made things worse. The kids blamed each other,” Lymon says. The Latino girls complained that “the White girls just don’t have the moves” to join their dance troupe, and the lacrosse team members said “the Cambodians and the Latinos just don’t have the hustle to win the game.” Several of the teachers tried to organize a “Festival of Cultures” event where everyone would bring food common to their culture and dress in native costume. But, as one of the kids said to Lymon, “This culture festival thing, what’s that about? I’m White. I’m American. So, I’m supposed to bring hotdogs and wear a John Deere cap?” Lymon shakes her head. “There’s something we need to do to unite these kids, or at least get them talking to each other more,” she says, “but none of us knows quite what that something is.” Lymon pauses. “It’s a shame, really. The sum of what these kids have in common is so much greater than their differences.” 1. What do you think of the principal’s decision to ban all clubs whose membership did not reflect the school’s diverse population? What value might maintaining their subcultures have to students? What might be the negative effects? 2. Do you see examples in this story of ethnocentrism? Explain. Do you think ethnocentrism is ever based on reality? List any instances where you believe it is justified by the facts. 3. Do you think the proposed “Festival of Cultures” will be useful in bringing students from diverse groups together? Why or why not? If you were a guidance counselor at this high school, what kind of event would you suggest to help students interact in a positive way? 4. The student who said he was White and American suggests he believes he has no particular culture. Do you think this is possible? What do you know about dominant cultures that might explain his words? 5. Do you agree with Lymon’s view that what the students have in common is greater than their differences? Why or why not?
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