Examples Of Identity Revealed Out In Playground By Rodriquez

One of the important aspects of this book to me was Luis trying to find his identity. Everyone tells him about what he should not be rather than telling him what he is. The first time Luis attended school the teacher segregated him from the class because he could barely speak English. Luis explained “In those days there was no way to integrate the non-English speaking children. If a Spanish word sneaked out in the playground, kids were often swatted or to get detention” (pg. 27, Rodriquez, 1993). Imagine the negative impact this had on him. Trying to find your identity for anyone at a young age is hard enough. By the teacher telling Luis and the other minority to not speak their native language and separating him from the other students leads him in search of a false identity and he ends up getting into trouble and joining gangs.
He was appointed as a Communicator at his school and used intergroup dialogue to settle disputes. “The Communicators were to stifle any rumors. Stop any fights. Resolve any differences” (pg. 214, Rodriquez, 1993). By becoming a communicator he was able to call off a walkout of the school which in turn empowered him and made him realize that there are other ways of resolving conflicts than fighting. “I sat there, feeling the flux and flow of power within me” (pg.218, Rodriquez, 1993). Peacebuilding is meant to settle disputes so that violence is not involved. Clearly, Luis is starting to realize the positive that comes from solving conflict peacefully. By him stopping the walkout he may have prevented fights from breaking out. This was an effective concept that he displayed and it seemed to have helped prepare him in the future as he is a peacemaker among gangs on a national and international