This author Lisa Delpit argues that within the education system there is thing she calls “the culture of Power” and within this power are biases towards a certain group. Due to this bias, some students have an advantage in the way they learn over others. Specifically those of the upper and middle class have a better chance than those of the non-middle class. Because there are codes and rules that those who have the power instill in the classroom and  the students who are coming from the upper/ middle class society are already familiar with these codes. Based on what I have gathered from the readings her belief is that the liberal white teacher possess the power and in return teaches all the student no matter their, race, ethnicity or background the same material using their codes and rule. While the black and colored teachers thinks that this is unfair because if the students are not familiar with these codes and rule it make it hard for them to understand what is being taught to them and why. Hence, they are proposing a diverse approach to teaching in the classroom where they incorporate strategies appropriate for all the children in a classroom. By doing this students will learn to understand and appreciate the code they already have instead of having all the students submissively adopting another.

Again I can always go back to the Johnson reading where he states “the trouble we’re in privileges some groups at the expense of another.” This seems to be what Delpit is writing about. The upper and middle class is definitely more privileged than the non-middle class group and because of this privilege they have the power to know the code she speaks of. This attributes to the acceleration in their academic performance and the failure of the non-middle class.

Another reading I can relate this article to is the number seven point from white privilege by Peggy McIntosh where she wrote “I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.” This can be linked to the white liberal teachers and how they teach targeting only a certain group.

I had an experience with a supervisor I worked with that i am reminded of when i read this article. I asked him a question and he just kept saying what? What? What? Each time he said what I repeated what I said. Until it finally dawned on me that maybe he didn’t like way I phrased the question. So I switched it around and then he said “now isn't that better.” Then he gave me an answer to my question. I then had to ask him. Did you understand what I was asking before? He replied “yes but I could have said it better.” I don’t know if it was because of my accent or if it was because my code of English differed from his why he thought it wasn’t being said right, but when I pressed him to find out what the issue was he told me not to argue with him. I think he wanted me to speak in the code he was taught not because he wasn't understanding what was being said but because he thought his was the right way.

 

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/107003/chapters/Diverse-Teaching-Strategies-for-Diverse-Learners.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeBscQfjqiw

JONATHON KOZOL

“AMAZING GRACE”

This author Johnathon Kozol argues that with a train ride of only 18 minutes 9 stops there is a drastic change in the concentration of race, ethnicity and way of life for the individuals living on East 59 St. (which is considered to be one of the richest congressional district in the nation). To Brook Avenue (one of the poorest district). This he says is due to racial segregation. In this piece the Author mainly focuses on the hardship and deplorable conditions of those living in Washington Heights and Harlem community.

 “The deadliest block, in the deadliest precinct in the city”. He also said “if there is a deadlier place in the United States, I don’t know it.” I was completely taken back by this because it spoke volumes about the crime rate in this community. Crimes that not only affected adults but children alike. They are killing because of drugs, poverty and because children live what they learn. They grow up seeing this and if some really hard work is not put in this violent cycle is sure continue with them.

“Virtually every child at St. Ann’s knows someone, a relative or neighbor who has died of AIDS”

 This is an extremely sad realization. The prostitution, crack-cocaine and the use of intravenous heroin heightens the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this community and no one is protected from the diseases and addictions because they eat breathe and live this toxic type of lifestyle. What’s even more disheartening is that if they try to live above it they are hated. It tells how hard it is to strive in a setting like this.

 “Clumping so many people, all with the same symptoms and the same problems, in one crowded place with nothin’ they can grow on.” This is so telling of the way they try to oppress and segregate people considered to be minority of the minority. How can one better the other when they are all facing the same dilemma?

Connections:

I was reminded of my readings from Privilege, Power and difference when I read this excerpt “The waste products of some of these hospitals, she says, were initially going to be burned at an incinerator scheduled to be built along the east side of Manhattan, but the siting of a burner there had been successfully resisted by the parents of the area because of fear for cancer.” Johnson stated that one’s privilege is another’s detriment.

Extended comment:

Vicky wrote that she was surprised by the nonchalant attitude in which the nurse spoke to Kozol about the AIDS victim in the community. I must say I agree with her. It I was also baffled to know that the prostitutes don’t hesitate to pass on the disease. That’s showing absolutely no regards for another person’s life and that’s no way to live at all. It’s sad that they look at this as the norm.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/21st-century-segregation-divided-race 

Me in a nutshell

Hi there, my name is Shay. I am a full time student at RIC. Mother to a beautiful 21 month old daughter and wife to a most times wonderful husband. I was born and raised in Jamaica and have been in the US for 7 years. My semester so far has been hectic, overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. It's a lot of work but I have great Professors and I am eager to learn. When I am not in school I take every opportunity to unwind and spend quality time with my family. I enjoy taking my daughter to the park, going for walks, out to eat, catching a movie, going bowling and going  to the gym. I also enjoy watching the food network because I love to cook. I find it to be a great de-stresser.