They sit around a long table,

Parents and Teachers alike,

Finding solutions, they’re unable,

For learning cultures unalike,

“We are resistant to changing,

Our values and way of life,”

But the curriculum needs rearranging,

Our world’s cultures are a rife,

One teacher rises from his chair,

A raised hand for silence,

“Let the children teach and hold a fair,

Asking each other for guidance,

Let them research, study, and explore,

Cultures different from the norm,

A culture that the student adores,

And present them in any form,

Let them eat, speak, and dress the part,

Inviting others to enjoy,

In their knowledge and works of art,

From cultures of distant girls and boys,”

 A parent stands with a question,

A stare and look of distress,

“Allow children to learn without discretion,

Their minds without address,

To the harmful ideologies,

Surrounding them on this globe?”

The teacher shows no sign of apology,

While rubbing his frontal lobe, 

“Then let me implore two questions,

Does it matter my skin color,

Or the God I heed for direction?”

He paused, to pull at his collar,

“You don’t have to accept my thoughts,

Respect is all I can ask,

Be mindful of the war being fought,

A war fighting ideas in a flask,

A war fought over land so narrow,

Ideas and armies in a swirl,

On lands once owned by ancient pharaohs,

Bombs enough to blow up the whole world,

Perhaps we can avoid that adversity,

And the earth will stay remaining,

Along with our schools and universities,

Beginning with some diversity training.”