Gayness, Mutlicultural Education, and Community - CARLSON

OVERVIEW:

Gays and lesbians have come a long way for the past. Even though things still need to be done to make improvements. For example, marriage. Most of the states in America do not allow gay marriage. I believe people are going to be together regardless, so why don’t allow them to be married? Also in the military. Gay men should be open about their gayness while they’re in the services. Homosexuality should be something young children learn about, therefore it more nature because they have grown up around it. It should be discussed in school classrooms as a way to make everyone comfortable and accepting, therefore the hate crimes against gays would hopefully decrease. Kids are aware of gayness at a young age but are often mislead. With learning about it in school can make things clear, and all questions can be asked and answered, therefore they have a better understanding.

QUOTES:

1.      “Since homosexuals were therefore ineffective.”

Here Carlson describes the stereotype of gay teachers. He says that gay teachers are more likely to get involved more and develop crushes towards their students. I did not agree with that stereotype at all because in high school I had a gay teacher, and honestly he was the best teacher I ever had. Teachers developing crushes on their students is something that is more personality based than sexuality, I believe.

2.     “Yet the intimidation continues, much as it does in the military.”

I believe the military rule “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule is ridiculous. I don’t see why gay men can’t enroll in the military. Just because they’re gay doesn’t make them different or less of a men than a straight man. Gay men should have the right to be in the military and be open about it.

3.     “The new right has not been successful in building a broad-base power bloc or articulating a “public” discourse on educational and social problems with broad appeal.”

I cannot remember talking about gayness in elementary or high school in any of my classes. It was something that was present and people knew about it but never discussed in a classroom. In high school there was a group, the gay-straight alliance, but it was a small group who met after school, but never preached out their opinions. I believe that gayness should be taught at an early age, therefore it seems more natural/normal to kids, and then they can be more accepting.

Aria - Richard Rodriguez

OVERVIEW:

When I first starting reading Richard’s story I did not agree with what he was saying about public schools teaching children Spanish. I had a set option that Spanish speaking people should learn the English language in public schools, hands down. But while I was reading I began to agree more and more with his idea. I did not realize the impact on speaking English would have on him and his family, and there clearly needs to be a division between the two.  What really made to realize the dramatic change was the impact it had on him and his family being able to communicate with one another.  And because English was the only language they were speaking, their conversations often got the parents confused, which lead to little to no conversations. I also tried to imagine myself being in Richard’s shoe, being in a classroom where everyone speaks Spanish, and they difficulties I would have to face with that. I believe I would be the same as Richard was, silent and at a huge disadvantage. I think that in areas where a lot of people speak Spanish, they should teach both Spanish and English in schools, therefore no one is left out and the get a view on both sides.

QUOTES:

1.      “That day, I moved very far from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier.”

Richard always saw himself having a disadvantage from the other children, because Spanish was his first language, therefore he could not speak and understand English that well. He was often silent and shy towards the other children because he was not confident with speaking to English speaking children. But, once he practiced more and more with English his confidence level went way up. He was then raising his hand to answer questions in class, and the teacher and children could understand what he was saying, which made him feel no longer at a disadvantage from everyone else.

2.     “No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public.”

As a request from the school’s nuns was to have Richard’s parents help Richard with English, by practicing with him. They suggested speaking English around the house more, rather that Spanish. The entire family began to shut out the Spanish language and focus on English. But, because the family’s English was not strong, talking began to dead down. Within the family, there was many times where they could not understand each other, which ended the conversations with ‘never mind’. I found this to be sad in a way, because even though it is very necessary to know English in America, I believe a line needed to be drawn. A time for Spanish is needed for Spanish families for their communication with one another.

3.     “Today I hear bilingual educators say that children lose a degree of ‘individual’ by becoming assimilated into public society.”

After reading Richard’s story, I strongly believe with this quote. As I saw with Richard he lost a part of himself, as well his family, when he made English his main focus, and forgot about his native language Spanish. I believe it would be a good and successful method to teach young children, in areas where there are a lot of Spanish speaking people, both English and Spanish in public schoolings. Therefore, it would benefit everyone. English speaking children with learn another language which is become more and more useful in today’s society. And the Spanish speaking children can learn English, without feeling at a disadvantage and left out from the others.

Jonathan Kozol: "Amazing Race"

OVERVIEW:

The read itself was easy to comprehend and interesting, but the harsh reality was hard to grasp. It was hard to relate and imagine living in such a neighborhood. This article was a major eye opener. I was aware that neighborhood like this, in the Bronx, existed but I did not reality how troubled they really are. The high number of AIDS, drug addicts, and death rates in one community was the most mind-boggling. Also, the hospital was filled to capacity, which leaves germ infected people waiting in the waiting room for days.

Clearly, this community is not sanitary at all. But to make some progress, there are places which give out free condoms and needles, which in a way are supporting the bad behaviors, such as prostitution and drug using. But it is so second nature to most people living here that in a way it is helping solve further more problems, like AIDs. I also realized that is that children in this neighborhood are similar to children in any other environment. The seven-year-old boy who guided Kozol around the neighborhood, seemed be like any other seven-year-old boy. He was “cheerful” and “buoyant” according to Kozol. This young boy is fully aware of what is going on in his community, and yet he’s upbeat and outgoing to the stranger. Although some children may appear to be happy, according to Kozol, most children in Mott Haven do have depression symptoms, live in fear and anxiety, and also suffer from medical illness, commonly asthma.  

QUOTES:

1.      “Nearly 4,000 heroin injectors, many of whom are HIV-infected, live here. Virtually every child at St. Ann’s knows someone, a relative or neighbor, who has died of AIDS, and most children here know many other who are dying now of the disease.”

This to me is crazy because I do not know anyone who has died from AIDS. I also think it’s safe to say that not many, if any, knew of anyone who did in my public schools growing up. This show just how bad this neighborhood truly is. It is common to see someone you know die of AIDS, which to me would be stocking and unusual.

2.      “God told us, ‘Share!’”

Although Cliffie’s family is poor, he is still is brought up to share and have manners. When a homeless man asked Cliffie for food, he gave him some of his pizza, even though there was barely enough to feed his family. Most would believe that his parents would be mad or upset for them giving away their food. But when he was asked if his parents got mad, he was puzzled as to why they would be. He was also willing to share his cookies with Kozol.  It show his innocence for doing a good thing, not being selfish, especially when most people, both rich or poor, would have not bothered to share with a homeless man. Living in a bad neighborhood does not always have a negative effect on people living there.

3.      “At 96^th Street, all of the other white people leave the car I’m in, but several black and Hispanic...”

The community is made up of mainly blacks and Hispanics, which relates to “The Trouble We’re In” from Privilege, Power and Difference by Johnson. It is a clear demonstration of white privileged because of the fact that no white people live in such a community. White people are expected to have a good job and be successful, and because of that they are not seen to be living in such a neighborhood. But on the other hand, it is not unusually to have this community filled with black and Hispanics, according to Johnson.

About Me

Hi! My name is Bethany, but most people just call me Beth or Betha. I am from a small town in Mass. near the Cape, where everyone knows everyone. I'm a typical 20 year-old girl, who goes to school, works and likes hangs out with friends in my free time. I attend Rhode Island College and I'm inspiring to be an elementary teacher, with a concentration in math. I'm normally an outgoing girl who loves to meet new people and have a good time, but I can have a shy side at times. I'm big into my family and friends, I would do anything and everything for them. I absolutely love the summer time, the warm weather, beach days, care free living. I hate really cold temperatures, eventhough I do enjoy a little snow, but sometimes enough is enough. I do enjoy being a girl by shopping, doing my hair and nails, tanning, etc. but I also have a  tomboy side. I don't mind being outside, getting my hands dirty, and playing sports. I do believe everything happens for a reason, both good and bad, and makes you who you are today.