Tools Of Disempowerment

Literacy plays a huge role in many people’s lives everyday, whether it is learning how to read and write for the first time or writing a five-page essay for the hundredth time. We experience literacy differently and have our very own unique stories on how it has impacted our lives and had made us who we are today. It is an essential aspect that I use in my everyday life, such as in relationships, daily interactions with others, and learning. It has become such a powerful aspect and human right in which it allows one to speak his/her mind and in some cases express their opinion to the world. My personal literacy history has shaped me into who I am today because without my experiences I would not have been able to gain the confidence and

In "Learning to Read and Write" by Fredrick Douglass, "The Good Immigrant Student" by Bich Minh Nguyen and "The Joy of Reading and Writing" by Sherman Alexie, each author narrates their experiences in acquiring literary skills. A common factor for all of them is that they all experienced significant difficulties in becoming proficient in academics . Through a variety of rhetoric strategies, the authors articulate their utmost concerns where they present strong evidence on the difficulties experienced by minority communities in their quest for education. Therefore, this paper asserts that the role of reading, writing, and language relates to racial discrimination, cultural difference, and freedom which is of much relevance to today’s

How to minimize the hurts of non-white children once their belief on the theory of a society is fair and equality is completely collapsed when the reality is happening in the opposite. In the reading “Why the Myth of Meritocracy Hurts Kids of Color” Mildred Boveda, an assistant education professor at Arizona State University, said: “I will admit that it sometimes felt risky to tackle these difficult conversations, but this [research] underscores why we cannot equivocate when it comes to preparing our children to face injustices.” I agree with her opinion. Because finding the proper solutions to fully empower and equipping the best knowledge that can help children cope better is not easy, but it is the responsibility of the family, the school, and society. The three elements need to act and work together in an effort to dare to speak about the truths mentioned above.

* Is there a need for unique pedagogy to meet the literacy development needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students?

Our two authors, Richard Rodriguez and Sherman Alexie, are very well respected for their respective works on minority education. Richard Rodriguez is the author of the novel The Hunger of Memory, his personal autobiography. In this deeply personal and emotional work, Rodriguez explains how his education brought him success, but created a large rift between his Mexican heritage and culture and himself. On the other hand, Sherman Alexie is Native American author who wrote the essay “Superman and Me.” In the essay, Alexie explains how his love of books began his education, the hardships that followed being an intelligent Indian, and how his education has brought meaning to his life. To both of these authors, the most important subject in these literary works is their education as minorities, and the success resulting from this education. In The Hunger of Memory, Rodriguez focuses on themes of how education can be beneficial, but at the same time cause separation from one’s original identity. “Superman and Me” visits themes of caring for others and how success is achievable by anyone. Each author sheds a different light on the education of minorities, but they share similar thoughts in theory. Education can bring an individual great success, but with this enlightenment comes the responsibility of understanding what the world truly contains.

Other course texts such as “A Girl Like Me” suggest that very young children are also learn about and experience difference and equity in age-specific ways. Explain how children and/or youth in your school might be experiencing the issue in conversations with families, things they overhear or see on the television. How might you help them process these issues emotionally in your

An important goal of education is the ability to think for oneself. Many authors talk about education, such as Luis J. Rodriguez in her article “ Slurring Spanish”, Amy Tan’s article “ Mother Tongue”, and Sherman Alexie’s “ The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” all point out the problems of education. Some obstacles that minority students face in the U.S. come from school, family, and their own cultures. Speaking a different language, having different language experiences, and studying hard to overcome stereotypes are big challenges not only for immigrant students, but also for native students.

The issue of education provides a battleground for political debate and social issues. Writers such as Rodriguez, Alvarez, and Diaz explore different points of views of school children and how they deal with these issues. In addition, they provide them with a voice in which many children do not have. Looking into the thought processes of the minority children, “Daughter of Invention”, “The Boy Without a Flag”, and “Oscar Wao” look into what education provides for these children.

To be an inclusive society, a community must accommodate all children, providing them with the resources to accomplish their utmost desires. The barriers established by prejudice of past must be surmounted, as ethnicity does not define the principles of a person. The impoverished shall have their necessities satisfied, without the burdensome stigma from pompous individuals. This exemplifies the flawless utopia, a society brimming with bliss and opportunity. Yet, to a perplexing reality, while strides have been accomplished in involving minorities in superior programs, there is an underlying layer fear: the unease of success. Currently, less minorities are attempting to pursue higher classes, as they see these opportunities as being reserved

Growing up as the only white kid in my elementary school classes didn’t feel ostracizing, but was my first lesson in diversity and cultural respect. Despite my the economically, socially, and racially diverse surroundings, I came from a conservative home, and was often isolated from a diversified mindset. Still, the diminutive self-awareness I was fostering began to grow, under heavy influence from a sixth grade teacher. Ms. Ray talked about subjects that I was unaware adults could discuss, presenting the option

Born in a traditional Chinese family, Ming began to know about people of backgrounds different than him after he came to the U.S. in 2014. What he learned and experienced in CSUEB had transformed him from a boy having a racial stereotype and religious prejudice to a man who shows high respect for cultural diversity. By making a formal interview with Tiana and Ming, I learned that school education has significant influences on personal growth and development because it improves students’ abilities to demonstrate knowledge of the history, race, and gender in American context and prepares them to be a person who has abilities to respond to diverse perspectives linked to cultural identities, such as race, gender, and

A strong sense of belonging helps children understand and appreciate differences in themselves and others, which ultimately benefits their mental health and wellbeing (DEEWR, 2009). This means that as an educator, I need to ‘think about my own values, beliefs and attitudes related to diversity and differences and acknowledge and address any bias that we may hold. As well as critically examining our own assumptions, ‘cultural competence’ requires us to take a strong approach to countering racism and bias when we encounter it (Miller, 2013). This is a long way from ‘live and let live’ attitude. It involves

Touched on research that showed the significant effects that representation within education can have on children. With this research in mind educators have begun to look at incorporating “windows” and “mirrors” in to education. Windows are ways for students to understand others, mirror are ways to for students to learn about themselves. Miller-Idris explained that history education has made progress in terms of representation of diverse identities in curriculums, but typical through separate “add-on” lessons or units.

The fourth element of my philosophy of literacy education is the importance of teaching literacy through bringing relevance, to establish a deep link between the students and the content. My student population is comprised of an array of diverse backgrounds, all coming together in my classroom. Literacy achievement of students of diverse backgrounds can be strengthened by moving from a mainstream orientation to a more diverse orientation, giving greater consideration to issues of ethnicity, primary language, and social class (Au, 1998). Themes in constructivist work encourage creating relevant learning experiences for students as a central part of literacy acquisition, including

Oppression suppresses individuals or groups using power to maintain what can be seen as social place within a society. Keeping groups or individuals at a level where their rights are restricted below those of the suppressor due to things such as race or sex. Enforcing inequalities upon those who have none or limited means to fight for equality. Oppression keeps people within a restricted existence where they are unable to improve their situation due to restrictions imposed by the oppressor.