Many people, one community

A community has many kinds of people.

Your neighbors may have stories you have never heard before. They form a community, a group that shares a place or something else. Some have lived here a long time. Others came from a new town or country. They may speak other languages and like other foods. American citizens come from many backgrounds, so they do not all look alike. A name, clothes, looks, or language cannot show if someone is a citizen.

Listen to people to learn about them.

At the library, you may find books in more than one language. Along the street, homes may be houses, apartments, or other buildings. People may walk, use a wheelchair, ride a bike or bus, or drive. Even foods made and sold nearby can carry stories of people’s histories and choices. These clues show some ways people live. But they cannot tell each person’s whole story. To learn about real neighbors, we need to listen to them.

We can fix a barrier so more people can join in.

Now picture a game where only one child can read the rules. The others want to play, but the words are a barrier. A barrier is something in the way that may need fixing. So they ask the child to show them how the game works. Then they draw picture rules together so that everyone can join in. They still speak their own languages, with skills and stories to share. With their picture rules ready, the game can begin.