Quote 1: ""What's it like?"... "Over there-where other people are..."" (Kozol, pg. 15-16)
Although Pineapple did not clearly define "other people" to Kozol he assumed that she meant white people. This is one of the main problems within school systems but most importantly our society today. Today's culture promotes very little integration and understanding of cultures around the world. Race has become a very sensitive subject for some people predominately in communities that are seldomly exposed to diversity. I can relate to Pineapple for the reason that I went to a school that practically had no diversity at all. What is the most effective way to teach diversity in the classroom without making it a sensitive subject?
Quote 2: "The state university system of New York was generally beyond their recognition too." (Kozol,p.17)
What is this? Tunnel vision or something? It saddens me to know that students growing up in the Bronx don't know their options in Manhattan and various other burrows. Why is it that the students that Kozol is writing about limit themselves to community colleges and colleges around the country known for their athletic teams alone. Yes, I know there is a lack of funding in schools but we can't blame everything on that. Where are the passionate teachers? Where are the qualified educators? Where are the mentors? I would assume that educators would want their students to know their options after high school. I would assume that educators would provide guidance and information to better one's future. And I would assume that people understand the obligation to not only their job as a teacher but to the kids they're educating. Am I wrong? It is an educator's responsibility to eliminate this "tunnel vision" in order for their students to know their options for success.
Quote 3: "...During the 1990s, the proportion of black students in majority white schools has decreased... to a level lower than in any year since 1968... Almost three fourths of black and Latino students attend schools that are predominately minority..." (Kozol, p. 19)
What was the purpose of the Civil Rights Movement if no one was planning on holding up their end of the bargain? Why did people lose their lives to better society when it just became worse? Aren't we taught to better ourselves and the community? Aren't we taught to embrace differences and accept that everyone is unique? The hypocrisy of this nation is what makes people angry and bitter. Encouraging and embracing diversity is what makes people stronger and reduces ignorance; does it not? Education dabbles into so much more than math, english, science, and social studies and pinpoints the characteristics that make us good people (teaching sharing, turn taking, empathy, encouragement, etc. if you catch my drift). Education is used to discover things not only about yourself but the sense of community. How do you break down a society created to shut certain people out to a society that embraces everyone for who they are? Seems like a big task. Who will be the strongest to start the revolution?
I agree with your comments regarding the quote about students limiting themselves to community colleges and state universities. As a school counseling major I have seen not only teachers but school counselors as well tell students that the universities or colleges they are looking at are too much of a reach for them and that they should consider community colleges or 2 year degree programs. It baffles me that instead of helping the students succeed some teachers and school counselors are ok with telling students that they are not good enough or won't be able to do the work required in order to get into that particular university or college. Instead all they are doing is minimizing the abilities of the students and telling them won't succeed. What happened to teachers and school counselors empowering students to succeed?
ReplyDeleteWritten by Sam Smith
I completely agree with you. Sometimes I feel that anyone has an easier time telling themselves and others what they can't do versus what they can do. Luckily I have been fortunate enough to have been encouraged by my educators and counselors who took the time to explain options available to me down the road in life and helped get me there (part of white privilege right?). Together it is our responsibility to empower not only students, but other educators and school counselors. Is that asking to change too much? Should we only empower students? Where do we stop? Where should we stop?
ReplyDeleteSamantha Smith:
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that too much change is a bad thing. I believe as educators and counselors that we should be empowering not only our students but the faculty as well. I have seen too many times in a school system teachers who love what they do and support students but then there are also those teachers and counselors that have lost that passion they had when they started and no longer support their students. Which is an extremely sad thing to see. I know that everyone in the school profession is susceptible to burnouts and can lose their original drive that lead them to this profession. Therefore, I do not believe
that we should just limit ourselves to motivating and empowering our students but the faculty as well. However, maybe that is too much of a reach but I think it can be done.
I see what you are saying and I worry that I too will be one of those teachers who gets burnt out and discouraged. I aspire to be teachers like Dr. Clarke (a professor in the ed program here at Central), Dr. Love, Professor Verge (an English professor here at Central), and Professor McGuire (another English professor here at Central). I'd like to know how they keep trudging along continuing to make a difference in students lives. I'd like to be that, I just don't know if I'm capable of doing it. I'm nervous to carry the kind of responsibility we talk about in class and on this blog each and every day. Are you?
ReplyDelete