I found this video on youtube that relates to the talking points #7 article that focuses on race, class and gender. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E1vpFW8sCs&feature=fvw
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Talking Points #7
Peter McLaren
Race, Class, and Gender
Why Students Fail
Quotes:
1. "It is not hard to imagine the deep distrust between blacks and public schools and blacks and white authorities, which Ogbu claims is communicated to children from a very early age by parents, relatives, and neighbors." It shouldn't surprise us that this distrust between blacks and the school systems actually exist. There have been so many incidents that have occurred because of the stereotypes set about different cultures. For example, in the reading they talk about the black youth simply "making it" through school rather than the students succeeding or striving to do well. This is an unfair stereotype about races that will never disappear because the ideas are passed on from parents to children.
2. "For many economically disadvantaged students, success in school means a type of forced cultural suicide, and in the case of minority youth, racial suicide....A moderate level of depression, an absence of political awareness, the presence of self blame, low assertiveness, and high conformity may tragically have constituted evidence of the 'good' urban student." I think it is awful that we even judge people by their class level, especially as the student youth. When we are students, we are young and living under a parent/guardians roof. Thus meaning that the classification of the students class is really based on the parents. It is extremely unfair to the students to have these preconceived notions about them as students because of the class level in which their parents fall under.
3. "The girls in my class were particularly concerned with popularity and physical attractiveness--areas of interest that for superseded academic aspirations. Girls were constantly experimenting with makeup and improving clothing styles. Subcultural dress codes established by the disaffected denizens were not only symbolic challenges to the conservative sartorial codes of teachers and more affluent peers, but a way of fostering group identity and solidarity." All I can think of after reading this quote is about the project we just spent time on in class. It focused on how the media portrays women which causes women to feel the need to always improve. With all of the medias attention on women celebrities constantly promote sex and beauty and no girl is happy unless she looks like these models.
I chose three different quotes that deal with the three different sections of this article; race, class, and gender. I feel as though these three factors will always play an important role in the school system even though it shouldn't have to be. Like stated in the article, these "ideas" are passed on from generation to generation by parents and relatives to their youth and I don't think these stereotypes are ever going to stop. In America, we say that everyone is equal and treated equally when we know in reality, that because of the stereotypes that have been in place for years, white people are looked at as the dominant color over the black people.
I feel as though this whole article is based on the stereotypes that have been made in society for years. There are good black students and there are bad white students. There are students from underprivileged areas that succeed and there are privileged students that fail. There are some women who are more successful than men and vice verse. This reading ties into several other readings we have had that deal with being underprivileged and that dealt with race, gender and class.
I feel as though this one article can tie in to all of the other readings in one way or another. This article made me irritated while I was reading it because it focuses on the stereotypes and not the fact that there are many people of many races, classes, and genders who succeed. To me, it is sad that so many people really do think like this and there isn't really a thing that can be done to change it other than making people aware of it.
Race, Class, and Gender
Why Students Fail
Quotes:
1. "It is not hard to imagine the deep distrust between blacks and public schools and blacks and white authorities, which Ogbu claims is communicated to children from a very early age by parents, relatives, and neighbors." It shouldn't surprise us that this distrust between blacks and the school systems actually exist. There have been so many incidents that have occurred because of the stereotypes set about different cultures. For example, in the reading they talk about the black youth simply "making it" through school rather than the students succeeding or striving to do well. This is an unfair stereotype about races that will never disappear because the ideas are passed on from parents to children.
2. "For many economically disadvantaged students, success in school means a type of forced cultural suicide, and in the case of minority youth, racial suicide....A moderate level of depression, an absence of political awareness, the presence of self blame, low assertiveness, and high conformity may tragically have constituted evidence of the 'good' urban student." I think it is awful that we even judge people by their class level, especially as the student youth. When we are students, we are young and living under a parent/guardians roof. Thus meaning that the classification of the students class is really based on the parents. It is extremely unfair to the students to have these preconceived notions about them as students because of the class level in which their parents fall under.
3. "The girls in my class were particularly concerned with popularity and physical attractiveness--areas of interest that for superseded academic aspirations. Girls were constantly experimenting with makeup and improving clothing styles. Subcultural dress codes established by the disaffected denizens were not only symbolic challenges to the conservative sartorial codes of teachers and more affluent peers, but a way of fostering group identity and solidarity." All I can think of after reading this quote is about the project we just spent time on in class. It focused on how the media portrays women which causes women to feel the need to always improve. With all of the medias attention on women celebrities constantly promote sex and beauty and no girl is happy unless she looks like these models.
I chose three different quotes that deal with the three different sections of this article; race, class, and gender. I feel as though these three factors will always play an important role in the school system even though it shouldn't have to be. Like stated in the article, these "ideas" are passed on from generation to generation by parents and relatives to their youth and I don't think these stereotypes are ever going to stop. In America, we say that everyone is equal and treated equally when we know in reality, that because of the stereotypes that have been in place for years, white people are looked at as the dominant color over the black people.
I feel as though this whole article is based on the stereotypes that have been made in society for years. There are good black students and there are bad white students. There are students from underprivileged areas that succeed and there are privileged students that fail. There are some women who are more successful than men and vice verse. This reading ties into several other readings we have had that deal with being underprivileged and that dealt with race, gender and class.
I feel as though this one article can tie in to all of the other readings in one way or another. This article made me irritated while I was reading it because it focuses on the stereotypes and not the fact that there are many people of many races, classes, and genders who succeed. To me, it is sad that so many people really do think like this and there isn't really a thing that can be done to change it other than making people aware of it.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Talking Points #4 Christensen
Linda Christensen
Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us
Quotes:
1. "The impact of racism begins early. Even in our preschool years, we are exposed to misinformation about people different from ourselves. Many of us grow up in neighborhoods where we have limited opportunities to interact with people different from our own families... Consequently, most of the early information we receive about "others"-- people racially, religiously, or socioeconomically different fom ourselves--does not come as a result of firsthand experience." I know that people can be racist except I never thought about how much we are impacted by it, especially at an early age. We learn from what we are exposed to because childrens minds are like sponges at such a young age. We learn by observing the many different things around us, but if we are not exposed to it, then as young children, you will not know anything but the "norm" for your society. Cartoons and movies really do portray many racists topics that children will not pick up on as being derogatory but simply a "norm."
2. "Industrially produced fiction has become one of the primary shapers of our emotions and intellect...Although these stories are supposed to merely entertain us, they constantly give us a secret education." I find the idea of "secret education" very interesting. It is amazing how many things we learn without realizing we are learning...it happens everyday. For example, you know when you go to school that you are going to learn and the same thing can apply for going to work. However, when you turn on the cartoons for younger children, you do not realize what they will actually pick up on from watching a show that probably isn't very educational.
3. "They were fueled by the opportunity to convince some parents of the long-lasting effects cartoons impose on their children, or to enlighten their peers about the roots of some of their insecurities. Instead of leaving students full of bile, standing around with their hands on their hips, shaking their heads about how bad the world is, I provided them the opportunity to make a difference." I think that what this teacher is doing is extremely important. Not only is it teaching them right from wrong, it is making them realize what is going on in the world and recognize that it is a real problem. Allowing them to recognize the actions and why they are wrong will help them steer away from those actions and try to influence the people they know to avoid the stereotypical attitude that many people still have. This teacher is very brave to stand up for what she believes is right and I feel as though it can make a difference in their lives and in the lives of people around them.
Linda Christensen covers very important material in the reading, Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us. Racism is a very strong topic that is too common all over the world. As children, we are raised in our own societies and with our own customs and beliefs. However, we are also strongly influenced by cartoons and children shows when we are young. Christensen explains many examples of cartoons that would shape a child's perspective of different topics without thinking about it. I personally enjoyed her concept of a "secret education." She explains that we learn without realizing it on a daily basis starting when we are very young and I couldn't agree more. Her article was really informative and enjoyable to read.
I found this article very interesting and easy to read. While I was reading it, I really realized how true everything she is saying really is. It was weird to think of the cartoons she mentioned and how that would negatively affect children. I, myself, have watched several of the cartoons when I was younger and how everything portrayed seemed to be "normal" to me. It I was raised and watched shows that portrayed other aspects, I would probably feel as if the different ideas were "normal" also. This article reminds me of the Carlson piece about the view of homosexuals. It seems different to most people because many were raised in an area where that wasn't taught or thought of to be accepted. Everything we are taught influences our outlook on different situations.
Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us
Quotes:
1. "The impact of racism begins early. Even in our preschool years, we are exposed to misinformation about people different from ourselves. Many of us grow up in neighborhoods where we have limited opportunities to interact with people different from our own families... Consequently, most of the early information we receive about "others"-- people racially, religiously, or socioeconomically different fom ourselves--does not come as a result of firsthand experience." I know that people can be racist except I never thought about how much we are impacted by it, especially at an early age. We learn from what we are exposed to because childrens minds are like sponges at such a young age. We learn by observing the many different things around us, but if we are not exposed to it, then as young children, you will not know anything but the "norm" for your society. Cartoons and movies really do portray many racists topics that children will not pick up on as being derogatory but simply a "norm."
2. "Industrially produced fiction has become one of the primary shapers of our emotions and intellect...Although these stories are supposed to merely entertain us, they constantly give us a secret education." I find the idea of "secret education" very interesting. It is amazing how many things we learn without realizing we are learning...it happens everyday. For example, you know when you go to school that you are going to learn and the same thing can apply for going to work. However, when you turn on the cartoons for younger children, you do not realize what they will actually pick up on from watching a show that probably isn't very educational.
3. "They were fueled by the opportunity to convince some parents of the long-lasting effects cartoons impose on their children, or to enlighten their peers about the roots of some of their insecurities. Instead of leaving students full of bile, standing around with their hands on their hips, shaking their heads about how bad the world is, I provided them the opportunity to make a difference." I think that what this teacher is doing is extremely important. Not only is it teaching them right from wrong, it is making them realize what is going on in the world and recognize that it is a real problem. Allowing them to recognize the actions and why they are wrong will help them steer away from those actions and try to influence the people they know to avoid the stereotypical attitude that many people still have. This teacher is very brave to stand up for what she believes is right and I feel as though it can make a difference in their lives and in the lives of people around them.
Linda Christensen covers very important material in the reading, Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us. Racism is a very strong topic that is too common all over the world. As children, we are raised in our own societies and with our own customs and beliefs. However, we are also strongly influenced by cartoons and children shows when we are young. Christensen explains many examples of cartoons that would shape a child's perspective of different topics without thinking about it. I personally enjoyed her concept of a "secret education." She explains that we learn without realizing it on a daily basis starting when we are very young and I couldn't agree more. Her article was really informative and enjoyable to read.
I found this article very interesting and easy to read. While I was reading it, I really realized how true everything she is saying really is. It was weird to think of the cartoons she mentioned and how that would negatively affect children. I, myself, have watched several of the cartoons when I was younger and how everything portrayed seemed to be "normal" to me. It I was raised and watched shows that portrayed other aspects, I would probably feel as if the different ideas were "normal" also. This article reminds me of the Carlson piece about the view of homosexuals. It seems different to most people because many were raised in an area where that wasn't taught or thought of to be accepted. Everything we are taught influences our outlook on different situations.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Talking Points #2
Terry Meier
"Why Can't She Remember That?
Quotes:
1. "Marisa's quick-thinking switch to teasing behavior had been successful in getting her out of trouble was confirmed when everyone at the table, including her father laughed." I find this really impressive at almost three years old, this little girl can push her limits enough and know exactly when to call it quits. I find myself doing this as well except I'm a sophomore in college! It is amazing to think that they can know exactly what to do to get them out of trouble or what to say to make people laugh when they don't even know exactly how to say it properly because they are so young. They cannot even form a sentence yet but they can recognize the body language that means "I'm in trouble."
2. "Book knowledge becomes, in essence, part of these children's sense of identity in the world." I have been babysitting for approximately seven years and mostly all of the children I watch have a nightly routine of reading a few books before they go to bed. I always found this important for a child's development. When I compared the kids that had to read every night with the ones that didn't, I noticed that the more well-behaved and better listening children were the kids I read to. It definitely helps them gain a sense of identity because it opens them up to a variety of topics at such a young age.
3. "In addition to the teacher using dolls and puppets to help read books in lively and engaging ways, children can use them to dramatize the story in the book or to create new dialogues and stories of their own. These storybook characters can also be used in more structured ways to help children develop deeper understandings of story elements like character and plot." At such a young age, it may be hard to capture their attention simply by reading to them. If you make if more interesting, they will want to listen and learn. I remember my elementary school librarian would read to us in the most creative, dramatized way that it was almost impossible to ignore. It made us all want to listen and made it more enjoyable to focus. I think this is a really good tip for us "teachers in the making" to keep in mind when we become a part of the career world.
I really found that this article had a lot of helpful hints. It stated many things that would be essential to what I consider would be a well functioning classroom. It stated several ways in which learning and reading can be more interesting to younger students and to make it more engaging and interactive for them. Storybooks can relate to the lives of these young children and it will help mold their identities if you can make them get something out of the story. I feel as though there may be a few students that this does not apply to but I am not sure...just a thought.
As a "teacher in the making," I think all of the points made in this article will play an important role in my classroom in the future. I know that I always enjoyed learning when it was made fun and it was always easier to pay attention when things were exciting and new. I really enjoyed this article and found it extremely helpful and interesting. I'm glad we were assigned this article to read and recommend it to anyone in the teaching profession.
"Why Can't She Remember That?
Quotes:
1. "Marisa's quick-thinking switch to teasing behavior had been successful in getting her out of trouble was confirmed when everyone at the table, including her father laughed." I find this really impressive at almost three years old, this little girl can push her limits enough and know exactly when to call it quits. I find myself doing this as well except I'm a sophomore in college! It is amazing to think that they can know exactly what to do to get them out of trouble or what to say to make people laugh when they don't even know exactly how to say it properly because they are so young. They cannot even form a sentence yet but they can recognize the body language that means "I'm in trouble."
2. "Book knowledge becomes, in essence, part of these children's sense of identity in the world." I have been babysitting for approximately seven years and mostly all of the children I watch have a nightly routine of reading a few books before they go to bed. I always found this important for a child's development. When I compared the kids that had to read every night with the ones that didn't, I noticed that the more well-behaved and better listening children were the kids I read to. It definitely helps them gain a sense of identity because it opens them up to a variety of topics at such a young age.
3. "In addition to the teacher using dolls and puppets to help read books in lively and engaging ways, children can use them to dramatize the story in the book or to create new dialogues and stories of their own. These storybook characters can also be used in more structured ways to help children develop deeper understandings of story elements like character and plot." At such a young age, it may be hard to capture their attention simply by reading to them. If you make if more interesting, they will want to listen and learn. I remember my elementary school librarian would read to us in the most creative, dramatized way that it was almost impossible to ignore. It made us all want to listen and made it more enjoyable to focus. I think this is a really good tip for us "teachers in the making" to keep in mind when we become a part of the career world.
I really found that this article had a lot of helpful hints. It stated many things that would be essential to what I consider would be a well functioning classroom. It stated several ways in which learning and reading can be more interesting to younger students and to make it more engaging and interactive for them. Storybooks can relate to the lives of these young children and it will help mold their identities if you can make them get something out of the story. I feel as though there may be a few students that this does not apply to but I am not sure...just a thought.
As a "teacher in the making," I think all of the points made in this article will play an important role in my classroom in the future. I know that I always enjoyed learning when it was made fun and it was always easier to pay attention when things were exciting and new. I really enjoyed this article and found it extremely helpful and interesting. I'm glad we were assigned this article to read and recommend it to anyone in the teaching profession.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Talking Points #3 Carlson
Dennis Carlson
Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community
Quotes:
1. "Within normalizing communities, some individuals and subject positions (i.e., white, middle class, male, heterosexual, etc.) get privileged and represented as "normal" while other individuals and subject positions (i.e., black, working class, female, homosexual, etc.) are dis-empowered and represented as deviant, sick, neurotic, criminal, lazy, lacking in intelligence, and in other ways "abnormal"." The only thing I can think of for this quote is... what is normal? Who created the norm? What makes white, straight, males normal? It is sickening to think that people actually thought or still do think this way! It definitely shows how people used to think (and some still do) and why a lot of people were not excepted for who they were.
2. "Early in this century, the dismissal of gay teachers was legitimated as a way of keeping young people from being exposed to improper role models, lechery, and child molestation." This blows me away as well... how come people who are gay can't be role models? Just because they have a different sexual preference does not mean that they are bad people. They are still human with morals just like the rest of society and it shouldn't matter whether they are interested in men or women!
3. ""Being yourself" celebrates individualism and the autonomy of individuals to construct their own lives according to their own values and achieve goals they set for themselves--a deep foundational value in American culture." If only everyone in America really felt this way. I completely agree with it...everyone should be accepted simply because they are human. It shouldn't matter what their sexual preference is or if they are black or white.
This essay made me really irritated to read. I agree...it seems a bit different to see two boys or two girls together and happy, but that is just because we are used to the "norm." It was strange to read about how strongly the people felt about having gays as teachers. I had no idea that they didn't even let them teach or get a job because of it. I know a few teachers from my old high school that were either gay or lesbians and it didn't make us think any differently about their teaching methods.
It really amazes me that we care so much as a society about a persons sexual preference. This article actually relates to something that just happened at a college. A couple of roommates wanted to find out if another roommate was gay, so they decided it was a good idea to hide a camera in his dorm room and film and broadcast it live on the internet. The boy ended up having intercourse with another male student and when he found out that the other students posted it online, he committed suicide. It just goes to show you how negative things come from people making judgments about someones sexual preference. This article immediately made me think of this sad, awful story that recently happened. People need to find better things to do instead of making judgments towards people they do not know!
Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community
Quotes:
1. "Within normalizing communities, some individuals and subject positions (i.e., white, middle class, male, heterosexual, etc.) get privileged and represented as "normal" while other individuals and subject positions (i.e., black, working class, female, homosexual, etc.) are dis-empowered and represented as deviant, sick, neurotic, criminal, lazy, lacking in intelligence, and in other ways "abnormal"." The only thing I can think of for this quote is... what is normal? Who created the norm? What makes white, straight, males normal? It is sickening to think that people actually thought or still do think this way! It definitely shows how people used to think (and some still do) and why a lot of people were not excepted for who they were.
2. "Early in this century, the dismissal of gay teachers was legitimated as a way of keeping young people from being exposed to improper role models, lechery, and child molestation." This blows me away as well... how come people who are gay can't be role models? Just because they have a different sexual preference does not mean that they are bad people. They are still human with morals just like the rest of society and it shouldn't matter whether they are interested in men or women!
3. ""Being yourself" celebrates individualism and the autonomy of individuals to construct their own lives according to their own values and achieve goals they set for themselves--a deep foundational value in American culture." If only everyone in America really felt this way. I completely agree with it...everyone should be accepted simply because they are human. It shouldn't matter what their sexual preference is or if they are black or white.
This essay made me really irritated to read. I agree...it seems a bit different to see two boys or two girls together and happy, but that is just because we are used to the "norm." It was strange to read about how strongly the people felt about having gays as teachers. I had no idea that they didn't even let them teach or get a job because of it. I know a few teachers from my old high school that were either gay or lesbians and it didn't make us think any differently about their teaching methods.
It really amazes me that we care so much as a society about a persons sexual preference. This article actually relates to something that just happened at a college. A couple of roommates wanted to find out if another roommate was gay, so they decided it was a good idea to hide a camera in his dorm room and film and broadcast it live on the internet. The boy ended up having intercourse with another male student and when he found out that the other students posted it online, he committed suicide. It just goes to show you how negative things come from people making judgments about someones sexual preference. This article immediately made me think of this sad, awful story that recently happened. People need to find better things to do instead of making judgments towards people they do not know!
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