Chapter 7

Creative Connector

“Eventually, each of these young men went on to graduate from prestigious colleges and acquire lucrative positions, which leads me to wonder what would have happened to them without the advantage of parents who could resist the temptations of school personnel.” (119)

This quote which is a part of a longer story about two black students in an all white district who repeatedly were put into remedial classes even though they were fully capable of the work within their class as well as advanced classes. It makes me think about the notions we as teachers gather from students. I know that often for students in the Fairport area teachers associate “The Pines” with low-level thinking and students with diverse needs. It as a negative association put onto the students and places their backs to the wall even if they are very smart children.

“Teaching is a calling, not just a job.”

To teach isn’t to walk in before the first morning bell and leave before the dismissal bell. Teaching is a way of life – you enter the doors with your mind reeling about the day and leave inspired ready for the next. Teachers consistently work to make themselves better, their schools better and most importantly their students better. This takes a special type of person, and that’s why I agree that teaching is a calling.

Essence Extractor:

"We as transformationist teachers, are 'the primary stewards of democracy.... This is our vision; this is our unfinished work."

Scott Martin Chpt 7

Scott Martin - Creative Connector: Chpt. 7

“What is the new idea we have been waiting for that will free us from the entanglements of White dominance and the tragic persistence of educational inequities for children of color in our public schools?”

It is completely obvious that there is no “silver bullet” or we wouldn’t be having grad level classes such as this one or a Social Foundations. It’s hard to think that we will ever find a solution to this inequality issue. It hurts to think that this cultural divide will continue for centuries to come, I just wonder how deep White dominance has its roots dug in. But as the adage goes… the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

“those of us who have benefited from the history of White privilege do not have to perpetuate it into the next generation.”

Perpetuation. This is such an easy idea to wrap your head around, but not so easy to instill. It is pretty undeniable that many, if not all, Whites have in some shape or form benefitted from that privilege. The classroom is an extremely powerful forum for the creation of a culturally diverse society. Mostly white teachers, infinite cultures of students and a lesson. The issue at hand is this: I could become the single most accepting and progressive white teacher… helping all of my students understand each other and their ideas… but it cannot stop there. I tend to believe that the family and that social dynamic need to change as well or all would be for nothing.

“The assumption of rightness, as related to the achievement gap, often leads teachers to assume that the problem of school failure lies in the students and their families and not in the structure or functioning of schooling.”

I actually couldn’t agree more with this statement. There are many times I have to take a step back and think about this concept. I can’t count the times I have assumed I was right, and whomever else was wrong. We all do it, maybe not on racial issues, but we have our opinion and ideals. And to us, they are the right answer. Schools and the politics of schools have to change, not just the ideas.

Scott Martin - Essence Extractor: Chpt 7

This chapter is finally starting to put theory into practice. Giving a critical look at how we as white teachers tackle this history given to us and begin to map out a cohesive path into the future.

Scott Martin – Rigorous Researcher: Chpt 7

Tim Wise clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C55zE_qJd2g&p=4F9F55E38E9C981C&playnext=1&index=4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7h08wL5Z2w&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV3m-2utW10&feature=related

A VERY moving speech from Dr. Martin Luther King:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlvEiBRgp2M&feature=related

Scene from the movie “Crash”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-vqKH56w8

Alicia Arendt Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Ways of Being White: A Practitioner’s Approach to Multicultural Growth

Creative Connector

This chapter seeks to challenging the assumption of acting “white” and its connotation as a singular meaning.

I wanted to reflect on this idea, as it’s present a lot in my schools.  I work at school #34 in the enrichment afterschool program. While it is enrichment, it’s not a gifted and talented program or anything of the sort- it’s an alternative place for students to go from the hours of 2-6.

My school is ranked as the most diverse in terms of race, ethnicity and religion.  The interesting concept I see in my program is that the students that appear to act out the most are often my white students.  In this setting there aren’t a lot of white students, and like all students they struggle with their racial identity.  While black students are generally the minority here the situation is reversed.  I can see them struggling with act too white and not fitting in or acting too black and not fitting in.  It’s an interesting situation to watch and I was strongly surprised as how much I engaged in the chapter because of seeing this assumption of whiteness in my school.

I also looked at the concept of fundamentalist white identity development and the feeling of respond to multiculturalism with fear, hostility or avoidance.

While watching the news this morning I saw a growing controversy over an NPR host making a statement that when he goes into airports and sees a person dressed in Muslim grab he becomes nervous.  This statement got him fired and has been highly published in the news.  I was interested in how this fit into our class discussion and the idea of expressing opinions and having a conversation about race, ethnicity and religion.  The question is, is expression a concern ground for getting fired, or is it the public forum that leads to that outcome.  In my option I see him expressing his concern, and waiting to have it debated and discussed.  While I do not agree or accept his opinion I see it a common concern for many Americans after 911- while this doesn’t make it right, it does make the concern reality.  The idea is when can we start having these conservations and debates without feeling fear, hostility or avoidance.  If we all have bias when can we express it so that we can have it altered and grown from newfound understanding?

Essence Extractor:

Use these four assumptions to guide the dissolving of the “Acting white” concept:

1. 1)   Growth in multicultural awareness is possible
2. 2)   Growth is multicultural awareness is desirable
3. 3)   Multicultural growth can be observed and assessed
4. 4)   Multicultural growth can be stimulated and promoted

Noelle Stappenbeck

Rigorous Researcher Ch. 6

I wanted to learn more about the REACH center/program that Gary Howard speaks of throughout this book.
If one searches there are many different programs titled REACH the one that I thought was the closest to the program that Gary speaks of is actually sponsored by the CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/reach/index.htm
Some of the other programs are programs I thought went along with the ideas of this class was the one for gifted children. http://www.amphi.com/~reach/
After viewing a few of the different web pages that came up in my search I finally found the actual website (or so I believe) it is very interesting check it out. http://www.reachctr.org/

Chapter 6

Ways of Being White: A Practitioner’s Approach to Multicultural Growth

Creative Connector

“My friends and colleagues from other racial groups often tease me about “acting white”, particularly when I become overly concerned with details and time constraints.” p. 101

I never really looked at being “overly concerned with details and time constraints” a thing that only white people do. I think that this right here is an assumption. All though I do tend to act this way myself I know plenty of others who do also. It is more part of being a human being. I think that it is a trait that all people can have. I do not think that race matters what so ever and in all cultures there are people who are overly concerned with details and time constraints. If anything it has to do with becoming older, the older I got the more I was concerned with detail and time.

“ Four assumptions guided our work:

1. Growth in multicultural awareness is possible.

2. Growth in multicultural awareness is desirable.

3. Multicultural growth can be observed and assessed.

4. Multicultural growth can be stimulated and promoted.” p. 102

I like this quote of assumptions because I believe that they are all true. I think that as a society we are truly becoming more multiculturally aware! I know that even since I have been in this class my multicultural awareness has grown. Through these blogs the entire classes growth can be “observed”. These readings and readings from our other classes “stimulate and promote” our multicultural growth.

“Transformationist identity is, in itself, an ongoing process of change and growth.” p. 112

I feel that life itself is “an ongoing process of change and growth”. We are constantly being stimulated through daily life. There are many chances to change and grow in all situations. If one looks at the word transformationist it is saying that it is a person who is “transforming” they are changing. Their values, hobbies, ethics, religious views, etc. can even change. The one thing that we cannot change is our race and culture. We are born into it, but we can view others and except them the same ways that we except people that are part of our own race and culture.

Essence Extractor

I feel that this chapter is Gary Howard’s way of having someone assess where they are in their own identity development.

Scott Martin Chpt 6

From 2009… interesting thinking about what is perceived a racist state and a progressive state

Just a book cover but I found it relevant

Howard - "Our goal is neither deify nor denigrate Whiteness, but to defuse its destructive power.”

This is just a lighthearted look at what it means to be white… FYI it is not edited! - Louis C.K.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY&p=AB876262CE4CB2FD&playnext=1&index=3

Scott Martin Chpt 6

Scott Martin - Essence Extractor: Chpt 6

Howard almost seems to use this chapter as a sort of rubric for where you are in your identity development. I understand that this is stretching the idea of a rubric, but, especially with the use of the chart on pg. 104. Using that you can almost find where you are in his ideal of development then look and see where you can imporove.