While reading Chapter 31, I could not help myself but constantly say, "Why dont they just talk about it?" It seemed that after each encounter that the teacher (s) had with a race issue, all the teacher had to say was, "well we just ignored it." Letting things go that and not confronting it head only leaves a child with more questions and unsolved issues. I know it is difficult for White teachers to bring race into the classroom, for the fear of maybe saying the wrong thing or not saying the right thing, but that fear needs to end. Bring up race into a classroom allows the students to think criticlly about themselves and their peers. In the chapter, when the teacher said that Bianca was a Latina, and all the students laughed, that would have been a great time to sit and discuss with the class why that was funny? Was Bianca a Latina? Does your culture always have to match your race and ethinicity? By letting these students at Pathway conclude what they want to think about race will only hurt them in the long run. They could beginto develop judgemental stereotypes and forever hold on to those beleifs if no one sets them straight. I think the main message in this chapter was that teachers, students and the community need to begin helping each other out when it comes to race and ethnicity. This chapter is not saying that we are all equal and need to be treated the same; what it is saying is that we are all different, and should be proud of it. We need to treat every race with respect and not be afraid to explore other cultures. I really liked this chapter because i come from a multiculture family and i was always excited to bring that into the classroom when i can.
Questions:
1. What are ways for us future teachers to bring race into the classroom positivily; fitting in the curriculum and such?
2. How can we form a teacher allience with our schools to make sure that all classes are discussing issues of race?
One thing I use extensively is the pictures, paintings, photos in the texts themselves- especially if you fear lack of District support- Images or subliminal lesson teachers and still racially loaded- why do books often include the crazy looking John Brown? Do they show the famous Nat Turner (ultimate freedom fighter) engraving of them killing "innocent" whites, show them caricatures of Irish, Af Americans, Chinese Immigrants, etc. They are more likely to see and discuss the racism in pictures. I have also used the pictures of people posing at lynchings and Native American massacres- to illustrate the pride and numbers in these horrific events- that may be a bit much for pre college education. Just some thoughts.
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