Students in the Mexican American studies classes recited the poem “In Lak’ech: You Are My Other Me,” by playwright Luis Valdez, the father of Chicano theater. The poem is based on the philosophical teachings of the ancient Mayans concerning empathy and integrity: Si te amo y respeto, If I love and respect you, Me amo y respeto yo. I love and respect myself. This poem is an example of using students’ culture to show them how they matter to themselves, their community, and the world.
