Lunch & Learn

3/25/2018

All these school shootings are really starting to disturb me. They are making me afraid for humanity. As I’ve thought more about it, I’ve realized that in addition to a gun problem, America has a people problem. We don’t like each other! But then I wonder, why don’t we like each other when 90% of the time, we don’t even know each other.

Then, I thought about a column that my friend, diversity and inclusion expert, Risha Grant wrote just this year. She wrote that when people hear the word diversity, they roll their eyes, think of this word negatively as if it’s a rare disease. I’ve even seen people say it with air-quotes. Teenagers react the same way.

But like Risha noted, people see diversity as a problem. However, diversity is not a problem. It is a strength. The people, are the problem. I agree. And it starts when we’re young.

According to Risha, in our follow the leader culture, people feel emboldened to say things they haven’t said aloud before. It has become acceptable to bully and display hate toward others. She said Dr. King would not be proud of this America.

But despite the ill-feelings that people have toward each other in the world, Risha undoubtedly believes that despite all our issues, there are great people doing great things and love will always win over hate. She challenges you, and generations that follow, to leave this place better than we found it. Stand up and fight for those who are less fortunate or systemically underrepresented.

As a start, we can get off social media and talk to each other when we are amongst people. We can pick up the phone and talk instead of text. We can volunteer together. Anything. The gesture doesn’t have to be big. After all, “little things mean a lot.” Just do something to get to know someone who is different than you.

So, what are you doing to make America better than you found it? As the beginning of a solution, this week, you will be challenged socially more intensely than you ever have before.

Follow the instructions below for this week's Lunch & Learn Challenge, and have fun doing it!

1. Find someone of a different race/ethnicity or religion that you do not know and ask them to lunch.

2. While at lunch, choose one and discuss for about 5 minutes:

Make a connection between Christmas and a lorry
Make a connection between a park and a camera
Make a connection between light and an apple
Make a connection between a sign and a computer
Make a connection between the beach and a car
Make a connection between coffee and chocolate
Make a connection between a pig and a fish
Make a connection between a television and a plan
Make a connection between snoring and a vote
Make a connection between a potato and a shoe

3. For another 5 minutes each (10 minutes total), discuss a challenging moment in your life and exchange experiences on how the other person might have handled it.

4. As your Reflection, by Friday, answer the questions below:

How was this experience?
What did you discover about the student you lunched with?
What ideas did they contribute to your experience and how can you implement some of their ideas in other areas of your life?
How was lunch!

5. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

Due: Fri., March 30, 2018 11:59 p.m. CST

Arial Hodge link

3/26/2018 08:29:53 pm

Every Sunday me and my friends go to downtown and feed the homeless we never missed a Sunday A.H period 6

Savion Stewart

3/27/2018 05:20:47 pm

I really think this is true because we don't need any violence in the school

j.chatman

3/29/2018 07:53:45 am

i disagree with this comment because this was not apart of the question and you were told to share your experience about the new friend you met at lunch and what yall discussed. I honestly learned alot from this assignment and i feel that no matter your ethnicity all lives matter and we are all human. We may not look alike but in some type of way we are alike.

Juan O

3/27/2018 07:14:35 pm

We need to have new rules for school after and before to be secured

S.Tillman

3/28/2018 12:43:16 pm

I agree because having no rules or rules nobody listen to cause conflict

victor ajuobi 4th period

3/28/2018 07:53:45 am

(Make a connection between a sign and a computer)

The experience of seeing a person's perspective that comes from a different place was very new and interesting to me. They gave me a new outlook.

what i discovered from the Hispanic student i lunched with is that his connection to computer and a sign was that computers were a sign of a new way of life for people and opportunity for people to evolve from their old ways and move on with the new world.

They contributed a different idea than mine, which was that the connection to computers and sign were that they both were used to send information to people just in different ways. i will implement his idea to see a new perspective on the topic.

Lunch was ok

S.tillman 6tg

3/28/2018 12:47:05 pm

Having more police officers will improve on the students an our schools

D. Tonche 1st pd

3/29/2018 01:45:04 pm

The person I spoke to was Samuel Williams, I have attended the same class as him for a whole semester but never spoke to him directly. The connections we made between a park and a camera is that they both have a multitude of different parts. Also, I brought up the matter that it would be nice to take pictures in a nature park. Sam retorted by saying he has never done that but he would like too. As for the matter of our assignments, I talked about the glass sculpture I am attempting to build for art. Sam commented how he has a difficult time in physics because the kind of environment his classmates build.

J.Solomon 1st Period

3/30/2018 11:48:08 am

Samuel is like a brother to me and as I read your post I thought to myself, "This sounds just like something he'd say." I like the connection you all made between the camera and park, how both have many parts.

Hope aleman 1st period

3/29/2018 01:50:19 pm

(Make a connection between a potato and a shoe.)
Since I am black and hispanic, I decided I would speak to a white person. :) The experience was nice, it was actually quite funny. It was fun to get a stranger's perspective on one of the most random topics known to mankind- potatoes and shoes. We talked about the scene and emo lifestyle that was popular back in 2012, and how everyone used to say cringey things like, "I'm a potato lol rawr xD." We related this to the way scene and emo people would dress, and how spikey boots and vans were popular shoes for that time. Then, we talked about my art assignment thats due soon. He offered great constructive criticism about improving my value and shading techniques. It turns out he likes art too. :) Lunch was great and I made a new friend.

D.Molo 1st

3/30/2018 10:36:25 am

I ate lunch with a white person. Eating with a strangers was a very interesting thing to do. Although my mom said don’t talk to strangers. We talked about a park and a camera and how people might take pictures at a park with kids around to show that they like kids, like the scenery, or like the environment. I learned that me and this other person have a lot in common. I also learned that Cannon cameras are some the best and if I ever need a camera that’s the brand I shall buy. The lunch food was a 3-10 but with the person it was good.

J.Solomon 1st Period

3/30/2018 11:44:54 am

Your perspective is very intriguing. I like the fact that you kept the topic light as opposed to making the reader fell compelled to find some deeper meaning in all of this. Also I completely agree with your thoughts about the lunch.

i

T.Dawson 4th

3/30/2018 10:26:36 pm

I think it's safe to say that most parents tell their children to not talk to children. Yet, talking to strangers can lead to new experiences and knowledge.

J. Bonilla - 4th

3/30/2018 11:48:22 pm

I agree about the camera. Canon cameras have an amazing resolution and are able to capture a moment perfectly. In addition, I did not think about the conection between a camera and the park at first. We all learn something new everyday.

J.Solomon 1st Period

3/30/2018 11:41:02 am

The experience of sharing ideas with someone in had almost nothing in common was very enjoyable.

The discussion I held with a Hispanic student about coffee and chocolate brought many interesting thoughts to mind. For example, initially i made the connection of how they both make people happy. Some people feel as though they can't function or have a productive day without their daily cup of joe. Others turn to chocolate as a comfort food or treat in trying times. My lunch companion in a way agreed; stating that in their culture chocolate is incorporated into a lot of their foods. This made me think of the way food can bring people together. For instance, as a tradition we typically give people we care about chocolate on Valentine's Day. Going even further my partner stated that people often ask other to coffee as a means of bonding or discussing important things. Overall, this experience was an eye-opening experience. I learned that just because two thing don't fall within the same category doesn't mean they can't have a lot in common; even going as far as comparing me and my new found friend to the coffee and chocolate we discussed.

Lunch was great.

t.Shelton 1st

3/30/2018 10:21:22 pm

I didn't think that many things about the question besides they're both brown . I'm glad that both of yall got further than my brain allowed me to get . I also agree with the points yall made .

T.Tate 1st

3/30/2018 05:35:26 pm

This experience was very enlightening it allow us both to explore each others mine and see the differences of our thought processes.The conversation I held with my Hispanic neighbor Marissa was coffee and chocolate it was very interesting and funny because Marissa thought we were comparing hot chocolate and coffee. So she actually brought the conversation to a whole new level and made some very interesting insights on the two .I told Marissa about my extended essay and how I was stuck on a few things.So she gave me a new and better way to approach the topic ,but over all the lunch was an enjoyable experience and it helped me get to know my neighbor much better.

T.shelton 1st

3/30/2018 09:59:32 pm

I'm glad that you had a good lunch and that she helped you with your extended essay .

A Chicas 7th

3/30/2018 08:08:55 pm

The experience wasn't how I thought it would be.It was kind of fun , even if we talked off topic a little. I discovered that the student I was talking to has a very similar life to the one I have. Also, that he and I have some things that we think the same about.He gave me many good ideas for my fifth period homework ,and I will contribute them by building the object out of the products she said.

J.Bonilla - 4th

3/30/2018 11:53:51 pm

So much can be learned if we get out of our comfort zone. With this small experiment so much knowledge was gathered and we came to a realization that things are far more extensive than we realize.

t.Shelton 1st

3/30/2018 09:46:42 pm

i never go to lunch so go to lunch to interview someone I've never meet was weird . I had lunch with someone of a Hispanic person and asked them to make a connections between a pig and a fish . They made the same face i did when i first thought about it . She responded with " i don't know that's a weird question ". After I told her it was for a class assignment she said that they are both preyed upon on and are both animals. I then proceeded to have lunch with her and her friends . I told her that i agreed with her answer and said that when you cut them open their both pink and that some of their pieces can be dangerous to us . She said that we are more dangerous to them and that we all bleed the same color but just live different lives .

i asked her if had a difficult assignment to work on and she said no because none of her teachers gave her any work . I told her that the only hard thing i have is my dance showcase . She told me to just breath and not think about it to much .

Overall my experience and lunch was really good . I don't usually eat lunch in the café but she said she didn't want to eat and i don't eat either .

I. Chancellor and 1st/5th period

3/30/2018 09:50:38 pm

My experience with the intellect, was mind-blowing and very fruitful. I discovered that the person thinks similar to me, and goals in life, are very similar, too. My assignment was on life and how to do things in the future, that excites me. Their words of wisdom was to, be alone and do a self-check, analyze what makes you happy and go for those things in life and etc. With all honesty, I will do step one, to start my pursuit of happiness. Lastly, lunch was great, I ate a burger, cookie, and sadly chips.

Daijah Jackson 6th period

3/30/2018 10:04:33 pm

I say we should experience something new. Because life is to short to be doing the same boring things. So if we need something new we should give it try. For example i don't never talk to new people but i did last week because i wanted to try something new and it was always good being nice.

T.Dawson 4th

3/30/2018 10:19:48 pm

I have to agree with you. As a person, you need to get uncomfortable from time to time to grow.

K. Brown 1st hour

5/4/2018 11:48:57 pm

Exactly, if we are complacent and confined to our comfort zones we will be forever stuck in one pattern. Throughout life we need to learn and the best way to do that is to try things you know you're not good at instead of constantly avoiding them.

J. Maple 1st

3/30/2018 10:13:01 pm

Lunch with a new person was a very unusual thing for me, as I don’t usually start conversations. I asked a coworker from the Philippines to make a connection between light and an apple, to which she responded that they both are sources of sustainability. It was very intriguing and hearing about her life before she came to America was really cool. She gave me some new insights and information about spirituality in the Philippines, which will be useful in my research. I also discovered that people are not the same at all, but our differences should be celebrated and be combined together to create a culmination of ideas and innovations to improve our way of life. Lunch was fine.

T.Dawson 4th

3/30/2018 10:16:37 pm

This experience was really nice,I enjoyed talking to a new person. During lunch I talked to Brock Wordlow. Talking to this young man, I was able to discover many things about him.I discovered that he enjoys watching anime and that he plans on working for an advertisement agency. During lunch, we discussed the connection between a sign and a computer. Because there was no specificity, we focused on the connection between billboards and computers. In aspects of the challenging assignment, I discussed the process portfolio with Brock. He gave me input on how to design it and I plan on attempting his tips. Lunch was great ! I had fun talking to a new person.

Williams M 7th

3/30/2018 10:23:58 pm

Z. James 1st

3/30/2018 10:33:25 pm

This was a very eye opening experience due to the many similarities that we had.The person I talked to was Edyn Saveedra who is also in my fifth period. I learned that he is in the 11th grade, he's 17, an iPhone user, he's very sarcastic, and his favorite show is Stranger Things. He gave me the idea to think outside the box when we were seeing the connection between the objects. I will implement this whenever I see or hear something I don't understand. Lunch was great!

B. Haynes 1st

3/30/2018 11:34:12 pm

I talked to one of my mom’s clients. She is multiracial and a native of Zimbabwe.

We made a connection between a light and an apple, which is that both have a core and are a source. Considering she was older, she was able to provide me with more insight on what I am finding challenging at the moment, which is physics. She was able resonate with me in terms of her struggles with growing personally and professionally, and the way she wanted to improve was becoming aware of the areas she lacked in and doing daily activities to enhance them. We also discussed her life before she came to America, and it was shocking to find out how globalized American culture is in other countries.

Lunch was great! I was able to experience an intriguing conversation with someone new and different from me, and while it set me out of my comfort zone, I’m glad I did it.

J. Bonilla - 4th

3/30/2018 11:39:49 pm

At the beginning I was slightly scared. I was afraid of the reaction this fellow student was going to have. In reality, I had nothing to worry about. I decided to discuss my topic with a freshman. The experience was very pleasant, we shared different views on the connection between chocolate and coffee, as well as other topics. I talked about how there’s coffee flavored chocolate while he spoke about how there’s beverages that involves both items. He allowed me to see beyond what I originally thought. I saw how different people think, and how much intellect people have. Lunch was interesting.

4/2/2018 04:23:30 pm

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adrian g 7th pd

4/2/2018 04:26:14 pm

my topic was what your favorite type of candy and i asked people around and the results were good

Jameelab 7th

4/23/2018 02:33:20 pm

The experience I had with my new lunch partner wasn't as good as I expected it to be. She was very rude and impatient. But she was also a little funny. She was making alot jokes, which had my dying of laughter. Although she was a little rude and impatient I wouldnt mind having lunch with her again. My lunch was ok.

J.Andrews 6th

4/24/2018 05:44:29 pm

My experience with my new friend was great it was nice to get to know some different and who have s a different lifestyle as me.I discovered that there environment is different then mine's how they speak and act is very interesting and there more active then me.But our differences should be celebrated and be combined together to create a culmination of ideas and innovations to improve our way of life.

K. Brown 1st hour

5/4/2018 11:45:02 pm

I had a similar revelation! Seeing as I was completely enamored when my person gave me a completely new view on environments and pictures. I know feel excited because I want to speak more with this person and see what other mental doors they could open for me. It's nice talking to others when it really opens your mind and gives you a fresh breeze of knowledge and mind set. It's also a bit like an awakening force that opens you eyes in strange new ways.

B. Moreno 6thpd

4/24/2018 11:10:45 pm

This experience wa kinda weird in the beginning. Talking to a person that i completely don’t know😭. In the end though we kinda got comfortable and opened up more. I discovered about the person i had lunch with that they were very open minded to everything. They had an explaination for eveything. He was really smart , & intelligent. I can tell he was very bright and had a good head on his shoulders. They contributed to my assignment that i should go out more & have fun instead of doing one thing all the time (being on my phone & being antisocial) . I will implement them by actually talking to more people, & having a life & having a little more friends. Lunch was great.

j.jackson

4/25/2018 06:50:16 pm

The experience of seeing a person's perspective that comes from a different place was very new and interesting to me. They gave me a new out look I will implement them by actually talking to more people, & having a life & having a little more friends. Lunch was great.

K. Brown 1st hour

5/4/2018 11:41:50 pm

Having to speak to someone new was an entirely uncomfotsble experience. I am not being on talking with someone I don't know well in a more one one environment. Even though it was just a table in the lunch room it was still much more than I could handle. At least that is what I thought at first, after speaking with him and asking him to make a connection between a park and a camera. He said he enjoys photography and even though he believes a picture can capture and seal a moment, the experience of being in the park he was and seeing the nature first hand was more breath taking. A camera in his eyes as momentarily, and the experience of the park was a life time. He says he hopes photography is a driving force for people to want to go explore and not just be contempt with second hand stories and tales.

D. Moseley

5/12/2018 02:47:11 pm

This lunch experience was bit of a norm for me because I enjoy meeting new people and I comfortable with socializing about any subject. I discovered that the young lady i was with was into politics and was very knowledgeable about almost every current event. WE chose to talk about the connection between chocolate and coffee. WE both agreed that both items are natural brown things that people love to try and add sugar and milk to fit their acquired taste like darker skinned people in almost every culture. As lighter skinned people both from different cultures, we agreed to share content based on self love and equality for all colors. Lunch was very intriguing and oozing with conversation, but the food was it's normal mess.

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Mixed Ink

Mixed Ink is our class blog, the window into our souls. It was designed to improve students' writing, critical thinking and communication skills by giving them a platform to provide meaningful content based on their interpretation of what they see.

Although the students receive a grade based on a rubric for completing this assignment, they are not graded on complexity of thought. This is a place where students of all levels can freely, confidently and creatively express themselves and their opinions in a nonjudgmental platform. They are required to respond to and critique each other, but degradation, slander, lewdness, etc., will not be tolerated.

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