Remeber how they hammered it into our heads in public school that we are unique. That we are all special in our own ways. Constantly, over and over again. When the immigrant kid in class stunk and kids made fun of him, the teacher would defend him and say he is different, different culture, and etc... They weren't wrong... But isn't the following a far more important lesson? The following concept was never mentioned once throughout my public school years. "You are more the same than you are different by an extraordinary margin." I ain't gonna lecture but think about that. Physically we are nearly 99% the same, but this quote says mentally/socially we are more the same. When thinking, don't try to compare a lower class thug from the slums to a middle class rocker kid, compare the lower class thug to lower class thugs around him, and the middle class rocker kid to other kids around him. Yeah they are unique, but isn't the most important lesson is that they are not at all different from one another, how they live, what they do, etc...? Thoughts?
we didn't have an immigrant kid; our smelly kid was just a white kid who didn't bathe... honestly, i'm not entirely sure what your point is... but i think it probably has to do with our culture. the individual is generally rewarded in america (or at the very least, those who take on the appearance of an individual) while people are generally thought of as less of a person for being more of a follower. plus, school-age children tend to work hard to all be as similar to each other as possible, so it can't hurt to mention the pros of being unique to them every once in a while...
or are you taking this from a "can't we all just get along" standpoint? in that respect, i really don't think it would make that much difference, and the lack of innovation and leadership would probably negate any positive effects...
You expect at 21 to have the same mentality as a 7 year old? They don't get too deep about differences in school, kids are not old enough to understand all that. It's enough to say that the other kids are different and it's ok.
Yes, we are indeed the same species. No, we are not the same mentally and physically. You cannot ignore the obvious differences, so people are taught to appreciate others for their uniqueness. This is a very individualistic culture.