"Literacy with an Attitude, Educating Working-Class Children in Their Own Self-Interest"
P. J. Finn

Three Talking Points

·       “First, there is empowering education, which leads to powerful literacy, the kind of literacy that leads to positions of power and authority.” (Preface) (rich get empowering education)

·       Second, there is domesticating education, which leads to functional literacy, literacy hat makes a person productive and dependable, but not troublesome.” (Preface) (working class and middle class get domesticating education)

·       “The dominant theme was control on the part of the teachers and resistance on the part of the students.” (pg 174)

Argument Statement

·        “This author Finn, argues that “Hard-bitten school teachers will need to implement solutions.”

This American Life

"This American Life -- The Problem We All Live With" interview with Nikole H. Jones was so interesting, not to mention how very naive I am to this type of research and political power. As I was listening to the interview, I felt glued to my computer and was filing this new information into my schema, while attempting to rationalize what I was hearing. As a teacher in Johnston, who teaches to a diverse population, I had no idea there were schools in the United States that have teachers who are under qualified. As I read here, (Less Qualified Teachers Hinder Schools with Black and Latino Kids). "......students of color and low-income students were more likely to attend schools where teachers were not certified or failed to qualify for their advanced-level certification following the 5-year expiration of their entry-level certification. I'm confused as to why schools are hiring those without a teaching certificate. Is it because of a teacher shortage or because the schools are not desirable to teach in? Perhaps it Is because of poor administration. 

 The article above also points out that "separate can never be equal," and called on the Department of Education to, "prioritize school diversity as a way to address the resource gap at schools." According to the interview with N.H. Jones, this is the way to lessen the learning gap.  The following link provides some claims and evidence regarding the interview with Ira Glass and Nikole Hannah Jones, an investigative reporter at The New York Times.

(This American Life — The Problem We All Live With)

Here is another article that discusses the importance of not treating all students as if they are the same and to individualize instruction to better serve each individual. (The Growing Diversity in Today’s Classroom)  As the article states on page 8, "Personalized learning needs to be aligned with interests and abilities of each learner."  If the majority of a student body is categorized as "living in poverty, have a disability or learning difference, are English language learners, are gifted or talented, are experiencing challenges at home or in their communities that result in trauma, or some combination of the above—each of whom research shows needs personalized approaches to learning." Perhaps the teachers do not have the necessary training or resources to assist students or perhaps school districts want to keep status quo to continue to receive funding.  

In reference to how communities shift from culture to culture, I have witnessed a community's gradual cultural change and although this change has been subtle, the population has grown into one other than what once was. The majority of the ethnic background, in one specific community, has shifted from predominantly Italian to Spanish.  The generations before lived and worked in this specific area, and spoke Italian freely.  Many families and friend's of families moved to this general area because they felt safe and welcomed amongst others who were similar to themselves. (I often wonder who/ what culture was pushed out when the Italians moved in.)  As the years passed, and the older generation passed on, more people, other than Italian backgrounds moved in to this exact area. It is pretty awesome how cultures, other than the ones originally situated, have built their homes and families in the surrounding areas and most likely feel that same sense of security and acceptance.

I know that I already published; however, after reading some awesome blogs from our class, I decided to continue on with my research and when I did I came across this report.(More K-12 Funding for White Students vs. People of Color)  Again, I am shocked that this is even something to report on.  And then this (School Segregation is Getting Worse)  How naive I am. 

“The Silenced Dialogue: Power Pedagogy in Educating Other People’s Children” Delpit, L.

                    “The Silenced Dialogue: Power and Pedagogy in Educating Other People’s Children;”  What is culture/culturally relevant pedagogy?

Three Talking Points

            “The Culture of Power” (lists 5 aspects of power)

·      Curriculum is shared through the eyes of the developer (the powerful ones)

·      Different ways of talking, writing, interacting is okay

·      Culture of the school is based on the culture of those in power

·      Communication breakdown due to not knowing the rules

·      Acknowledgement and admittance of personal power

·       

“How to make culturally relevant pedagogy a reality in your classroom.”

·       Visible/ tangible VS invisible/ intangible

·       Students bring “Funds of Knowledge” – make links to everyday lived experiences to bridge and connect

·       School adapt to student culture VS student adapt to school culture

Argument Statement

            This author argues that in order to create and maintain dialogue, one must be open to accept that our point of view, our “fund of knowledge” affects what and how we share information, as well as receive knowledge

                   In the                    (One ex. of what colorblindness may look like.)
                                                   
                                                      In the article “Colorblindness is the New Racism,” the authors, Armstrong, M.J. and Wildman, S., argue that in this day and age, society may be so afraid to give any attention to race at all that they are “colorblind” to differences. On page 63, the article begins by stating that, “white privilege is a knapsack of benefits of which the holder could remain oblivious.” Also, that “the possessor of the knapsack relies on the advantages they provide, but may be unaware of them.”  Take a look here at an article from The New York Times that describes that white people are starting to notice their own whiteness. (The New York Times).   As a white female who grew up in a white community I was not privy regarding being treated unfair nor do I remember others in my community being treated unfair.  Now as an adult, I see and believe some instances in the media are directed towards the less privileged population which results in being treated unfair.  The authors also go on to discuss that we, our leaders, need to identify and further understand whiteness and all that it encompasses in order to help change the thought processes and “bridge individuals across identity categories.”  With our classrooms becoming more and more diverse in socioeconomic status, culture, language, sexuality, and identification of gender we are responsible to allow each individual to feel safe, secure, and successful.  Super-diversity, as discussed in “Language Magazine,” (April 2013), should not hold individuals back from developing healthy future academic success.  It states, on page 67, “People form first impressions of others to which the perceiver utilizes a target’s particular characteristics.”  These preconceived categories are formed from society, family institutions, and peer circles. ("Superdiverse Classrooms") Although these first impressions may be proven wrong, and most likely, many will be, the person being “evaluated” may already have a leg-up, so to speak, or one foot in the grave.  It basically all depends on how the person perceives those specifics characteristics. This brings us to the article, by Roose, “All Lives Matter.”  The colorblind perception society is overcome by may also pertain to the movement, #blacklivesmatter. Here some of the public may disregard the injustice towards diverse people, more specifically, people of color.  They do this by grouping all people in the movement, as if all people experience the same discrimination.  Although some white people may encounter this type of treatment, can one say that the amount of each is equal?  News media and journalism report on how mostly people of color are targeted, in the community by having the police called on them, store owners keeping a watchful eye on them while shopping, and police brutality.  Although I see this at an alarming rate, I recently heard of how a white man was murdered by a person of color. The news media covered this information briefly and it was not discussed again on the channel we have on in our home. (which is the reason why I am unable to share names) I feel the reason this was not covered more in depth is because the news station would be looked at in a different way and may even receive criticism for following up with this news.Perhaps this too would fit in the category of "colorblindness.  I also have unanswered questions about the recent scandal of the black,gay actor who created a staged attack against himself.  He stated in a one-on-one interview that he was, “confronted by masked men who hurled homophobic and racial slurs at him, and announced it was “MAGA country, J. Smollett Interview” according to The New York Times.                                             Again, the news coverage on this issue has quelled and although this person’s actions were directed towards others, in a severe manner, this behavior is not being looked at under a fine-toothed comb, as it would if was a white person who acted in the same manner.  I am not disputing the poor behavior many put towards colored people; however, I am stating that perhaps the news is afraid to share all of the information in attempt to be “racially correct.” So I ask, does there continue to be injustice in our country? Absolutely.  Do we need to become more aware of our whiteness, our knapsack, and our privileges?  Absolutely.  With this knowledge we grow to be better, more informed individuals who can bridge the differences so all people will FEEL welcomed, appreciated, and embraced.  

                                                                      A great movie to watch is "Remember the Titans." This movie is based on a true story that takes place in 1971and revolves around Virginia state football championships.  Take a look at the trailer here. (Remember the Titans movie)