CHAPTER+5+-+Ethnicity

Tim's Part

What its trying to relate:

This unit has a lot of thought proving situations. It is using stories and examples to educated and open eyes to the world of "ethnicity." The definition is changing as the reaction and social structure of our country change. Tim's Part

What the text is saying:

Ethnic used to be viewed as a derogatory statements and still can be viewed as such when used in a dismissive or ignorant way. When our county had a-n assimilation philosophy driving the way we handled people of different cultural backgrounds, it was a drive to rid groups of their defining traits and force them in to main stream "american culture." This extended in to language and holiday celebration. We now have a more accepting drive with our "multi-cultural pedagogy we now we have created a new situation. Students are now able to identity with multiple cultures creating a sense of duel identity. They could be just assuming a role to fit their surrounding, leaving them really stuck in a limbo of sorts. The text really does show you the complexity of identifying with a particular ethnic group. The ramifications of that association will shape you perceive yourself just as much as other perceive you.

How to apply it:

When we are working in a classroom we are going to need to remember the student by be caught between two worlds. One world that works in the parameters of american school life, and one that operates in traditional India values or Chinese values. They could be a minority lumped in with a larger ethnic group. In the text they talk about all "Hispanics" being lumped in to one category, when in reality the all view themselves, and rightfully so, as individual cultures. We cannot just look at the cover of this story, if we are to be a true multicultural classroom we need to listen and learn from what they are telling us. And more so learn to ask questions in ways that celebrate the unique qualities of other cultures. This seems like a tall order, try when talking to your class about something that is related to one culture or date you may ask the class if they do anything different in their home. You don't even have to do this verbal you can assign it as a journal entry, but it gives them a way to bridge the gap between home and school. That gap doesn't only represent physical location but can separate cultural practices. you don't want to ask one person to speak for a whole culture. But you can ask these questions.

Reflection:

I remember seeing a sub culture pop up out of no where ware in my high school shortly after 9-11. You would be able to meet some one who was from any ethnic background and find out they could be identified by any of three groups at any moment depending on the situation. One they could be, Black, White, Hispanic, or any other group, Military affiliated, or separated even further be in the group with family in Iraq. This became such a huge part of their identity that they now had to define them as such or be singled out as members of this particular group.

Question:

Can you think of some example of a student leading a dual cultural identity. How complex is it for them. And does it effect how you treat them in those various sections of their world. Like would you talk to them different when they were at home or school?