This image, captured by Joseph Crachiola, shows how I grew up. I am a Chicano male from Houston.  My schools and neighborhoods had all kinds of boys and girls, and, as I remember, we got along.  We were friends.  We ate at each others houses and if your family spoke a different language, it did not matter. 

 

Then, as I grew older, divisions emerged.  Interactions changed.  Groups became more homogenous. Now,  I see that these divisions have led to limited academic and socio-economic opportunities for people of color.  As an educator, I am working to understand how communities can restore opportunities that have been lost for those living with poverty.