Camp Live in the World

This week, we hosted my nephews from northern Michigan. In a way, it was a sort of cultural exchange program. John and I were the counselors at Camp Live in the World. Some things the boys learned during their trip downstate:

§ White boys pierce their ears, too.

§ Chinese is not the same as Japanese.

§ Not everyone who lives in or visits Detroit is going to be murdered.

§ Just because the chef at the Japanese steakhouse doesn’t speak English doesn’t mean he shouldn’t work there.

§ Black people are not trying to take over the world.

§ Doors are locked for other reasons than to keep dad out.

§ Some people don’t eat meat.

§ Manual labor is not the only way to make a living.

Now, I’d like to be clear that John’s sister is an educated person who does not subscribe to stereotypical rural opinions. She herself is the subject of ridicule and suspicion by her neighbors because her farm produces exotic fare like spinach and bok choy; real Americans farmers grow corn and beans and use lard, not extra virgin olive oil. However, she will have to be constantly vigilant about making sure her boys understand that the world is much larger than their 23 acres. Given the geography and demographics of where she and the boys live, this is going to be an uphill battle.