Linda Christensen
"Unlearning The Myth That Binds Us"

In this document the author Christensen argues that the media is a distortion and that they way we are conditioned to act and think is based on the what we are fed by the media. Her belief  is that it is  not one targeted media source that contributes to this. We are influence by multiple media outlet and majority of the times we don't realize this. Methods used by the media to instill it's messages in us are: TV shows, commercials/ advertising, billboard, music, the books we read etc.
Her belief is that it starts as early as watching cartoons as children, that there are undertones of several different messages going on when we view these programs. At first glance it might seem as if we are watching a silly little cartoon or a wonderfully enchanted fairytale with the most beautiful ending ever. However, after taking a closer look one can observe discrimination on so many levels. from racism, gender inequality to the perception of what body type is right and accepted.
Take for instance the disney fairytales. These princesses sit around and wait for a prince charming to come around and sweep them off their feet. This i think teaches young women what to think of themselves and give an unrealistic expectation of what a relationship should be like. It also teaches boys to objectify women. They carry this image and way of thinking into their adult lives which leads to an array of problems.
Another thing that bothers me is the fact that the leading characters in these children cartoon are always muscular and tone or have an hourglass figure and are well endowed. Young girls and boy see this and thinks "this must be what i should look like." Again, this gives an impractical expectation to who's watching it. We can't all look like that and for the most part don't look like that. This image is also carried into adulthood if the proper guidance is not there to sway them to a more realistic point of view. Sadly, these misconception leads to one not accepting who they are as an individual. Some may have low self esteem,  body dysmorphia, eating disorders and i think it definitely contributes to the steady rise in cosmetic procedure.
Like Christensen's students i haven't been the same since reading this document. I started looking into things deeper, i've become more aware of the programs my daughter watches and i ve never been one to follow fads but i am able to identify the ways in which the media pulls people in to do so.
I really like this piece and would love to do this with my students one day






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xAbAeZ-Gog

"Speaking the unspeakable in forbidden places: addressing lesbian, gay,

Bisexual and transgender equality in the primary school"

Alexandra

In this article the author Alexandra argue that “the primary school is often thought of as a place of safety and innocence; a place where childhood is both nurtured and sheltered, and attempts to address what are seen as ‘adult’ issues are sometimes seen as intrusions into or threats to this safety zone."

I completely agree with the writer that this is the case in most primary schools. I think this is a mean of not over exposing children and maintaining their innocence for as long as they possibly can. What I agree with even more is the fact that they chose to introduce the "No Outsider" project at this stage. The fact of the matter is that this is our reality. This is the society we live in and it is becoming more and more acceptable for lesbians, gays, bisexual, and transgender to express themselves freely without being reprimanded. When our children learn about this at this stage in their lives. It allows room for tolerance. It prevents them from being or seeming ignorant and won't be so taboo to them when they come in contact with it such a situation.

"Sexuality is seen as a ‘special area of life’ and one that should be reserved for adulthood." This I believe to be true but with the programs children watch today there is way more exposure to sexuality due to the undertones in these programs. They are even more intrigued by sexuality because of this. So why not each them consciously and appropriately in schools instead of them learning it through subliminal methods.

Terry Meier

"Why can't she remember that?"

This author Terry Meier argues that educators should try to get students involved, interested and connected in the literary experience. To do this they should shift the focus from the meaning of  the text to the experience of the reader. That this should begin at the kindergarten and preschool level because it is gravely important to their development and will impact their level of education as adults. Her belief is that children who don’t have early book reading experience learn through interactions with their family, community and culture. They are unused to the reading patterns that’s mainly used in the classroom and at times consider it to be monotonous and may become perplexed by it. She thinks that because of this it is important for the teacher to use materials the students can relate to. for example reading books colored characters for colored children and books with both spanish and english for bilingual children. By doing this they will be able to identify familiarity between the characters and their lives. Teaching the readings in a clear and detailed manner and making the books come alive through using props such as dolls, puppets, recordings etc. will make the book reading experience pleasurable and intellectually engaging.

One quote in this article that stood out to me is “I turn the pages, book after book, and ask where are we?” this resignated with me because i can completely relate to this persons concern. I had a similar experience when I took my daughter book shopping. I wanted to get her a book that she could relate. I went through rows after rows of books. Most were fairy tale depicting the perfect life with characters not of her race. After a while of searching I was pleasantly surprise to find a counting book with a black family doing day to day activities while they counted. I was happy to get my daughter this book because she can relate to the characters and what they were doing. She won’t have to look at the other books and think that she’s not valued because her people is not represented in them. On the positive side I can see this problem being addressed in today’s society. One example of this is the Disney animated musical production “The Princess and the Frog.” This is Disney’s first production featuring a black princess. The plot told a more realistic story that I think people of color can relate. I also think in shows children of color that they too can grow to be great because they are just as good.

http://www.philnel.com/2014/03/17/boundaries/

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.