Lisa Delpit said that she "wants the same thing for everyone Else's children as I want for mine". It would be nice to say that each and every single person feels the same way that delpit does. but unfortunately it is not. If I was the teacher of this school or even the principal I would encourage parents that the class rooms will be mixed. Living here on the East cost would be easier to establish equality for my students no matter what race or economic background. What if it was in a different location? what if it was in the south? what if it was on the west coast then what? What if my skin color is the color of power?
Delpit claims that black children do not receive the full attention and that is why it had created a negative outcry in the black community. If I was to try and change the way a school or a classroom was organized I feel as though I could be met with Resistance from some parents. I don't want to believe that it is true but unfortunately there are still groups and organizations of power that still do not like the idea of integration. Theses groups have a certain amount of power that can instill fear into society itself. Organizations such as the KKK or the Neo-nazi or Gangs commit violent against certain races and the children of these organizations are subjected to witnessing some of the events.
What people need to realize is that the general population hold the 5th rule of delpits argument in that "Those with power are frequently least aware of -or least willing to acknowledge its existence. Those with less power are most often aware of its existence". What if I teach in a school where a student is brought up in a home affiliated with a gang or the KKK? How would I possibly explain to the parents that the class will have people of other races in it?...I couldn't possibly have them change their beliefs or way of life....But I could allow them to think that each individual child, it does not matter if they are black, white, yellow or red, can contribute to the learning of others to broaden their knowledge. Society has the power to change but the people are not fully aware they can. If people joined together and realized that race and class are divided like in my 1st period and 2nd period class they could clearly see that there is a problem. If I did encounter a problem with a student about the class or the students in it I would try to understand the argument that is being brought to the table as best I can.
My 2nd period class has one girl in it who seems to think she is better than her class as well as others. I over heard her telling another white girl that one of the black girls in class should not sit in same row as them. The girl who was being told this immediately protested the thought. Children are so impressionable, and what they learn at home and from society is a main reason why racism is still an Issue. As I said before it would be nice to have a students treated equally, but that need full co-operation from not only the students, staff, and government, but also where it matters the most....at home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99cw-wdHUwA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf2njPRdxsM&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_uNnf1mojE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5KMqJwTMog&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgq03ZDapLI&feature=related
Delpit claims that black children do not receive the full attention and that is why it had created a negative outcry in the black community. If I was to try and change the way a school or a classroom was organized I feel as though I could be met with Resistance from some parents. I don't want to believe that it is true but unfortunately there are still groups and organizations of power that still do not like the idea of integration. Theses groups have a certain amount of power that can instill fear into society itself. Organizations such as the KKK or the Neo-nazi or Gangs commit violent against certain races and the children of these organizations are subjected to witnessing some of the events.
What people need to realize is that the general population hold the 5th rule of delpits argument in that "Those with power are frequently least aware of -or least willing to acknowledge its existence. Those with less power are most often aware of its existence". What if I teach in a school where a student is brought up in a home affiliated with a gang or the KKK? How would I possibly explain to the parents that the class will have people of other races in it?...I couldn't possibly have them change their beliefs or way of life....But I could allow them to think that each individual child, it does not matter if they are black, white, yellow or red, can contribute to the learning of others to broaden their knowledge. Society has the power to change but the people are not fully aware they can. If people joined together and realized that race and class are divided like in my 1st period and 2nd period class they could clearly see that there is a problem. If I did encounter a problem with a student about the class or the students in it I would try to understand the argument that is being brought to the table as best I can.
My 2nd period class has one girl in it who seems to think she is better than her class as well as others. I over heard her telling another white girl that one of the black girls in class should not sit in same row as them. The girl who was being told this immediately protested the thought. Children are so impressionable, and what they learn at home and from society is a main reason why racism is still an Issue. As I said before it would be nice to have a students treated equally, but that need full co-operation from not only the students, staff, and government, but also where it matters the most....at home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99cw-wdHUwA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf2njPRdxsM&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_uNnf1mojE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5KMqJwTMog&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgq03ZDapLI&feature=related
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I like this post because i had many of the same questions that you did about when it is crossing the line as a teacher in a students family life. You gave the example of a student raised in a racist family and taking that into the classroom. I feel that it would be my duty to try and help the student to see the error in their ways but that would in turn be telling them things that go against what their parents are teaching them. And even if you do your best to positively influence them a young student is still most likely to absorb the opinions of their parents rather than a teacher that they only spend 9 months with. It is a fine line i feel that as teachers we are always dealing with and must continue to push if we are to instill the best views into our students.
ReplyDeleteHi Krystal,
ReplyDeleteI urge you to re-read Delpit's argument. She actually challenges the notion that you quote in the introduction. That is not to say that she doesn't champion fairness, but her argument grows out of a belief that some children need explicit instruction in the rules and codes of power, whereas other children come to school with those rules and codes already internalized.
Keep thinking on these things,
Dr. August