His parents became alienated from their children, especially his father. Now as a grown man, he looked back and saw that his loss was a gain. Richard Rodriguez was able to fit into society when he believed he was part of it.
On the other hand, multiculturalists believe that students should be subject to multicultural education in which they are taught various cultures, customs, etc. in comparison to theirs. The school system should adapt to the growing needs of the increasingly diverse student body by reevaluating the current curriculum and teaching techniques and adjust accordingly. In doing so, they too have failed to encompass the many subsections of a culture that someone can also identify with, particularly those based on gender and sexual preference, thus alienating some students. Such is the case in Angela Ferguson's and Mary Howard-Hamilton's Addressing Issues of Multiple Identities for Women of Color on College Campuses. Adapting to college life is difficult enough without having to worry about jeopardizing their place in their family and community. They often have to keep silent their sexual identity and just associate themselves with their ethnic counterparts. Black lesbian and bisexual women, the group the piece primarily focuses on, have been attempting to culminate three identities, weary of the backlash from racists and homophobes that may follow. In the black community, this type of lifestyle is non-compliant with their norms. They often are rejected due to the incompatibilities in religion, gender roles, and family structure. The writers suggest that the school administration help these women through more curricular reforms and the implementation of programs and services.
The two may seem incompatible with each other, but I think Richard Rodriguez has the solution for that. His idea of having two separate identities would really help with what black lesbian and bisexual women are going through.