'The Silenced Dialogue' Argument

Lisa Delpit, author of "The Silenced Dialogue," argues that there may be a better way to teach children of color than the  way the white educators in power are doing it. This debate is based on the view of the Native American educators and the educators of color that feel as though their voices have been silenced through what Delpit refers to as the 5 aspects of power, the third of which is "The rules of the culture of power are a reflection of the rules of the culture of those who have power." In this case, the "culture of power" is the the white educators. Therefore, when a white educator is teaching, he or she is enforcing the rules of the white culture. In the eyes of those of color, this is not the way that their children should be educated. However, these aspects of power have made it nearly impossible for these people to make their point. Delpit argues that there is a better way to teach children of color, but the voices of the educators is being drowned out by those who refuse to hear any other way but their own. These white people in power are so sure that what they learn and what they know is so much more valid than a black or Native American person's real life experiences. Those in power are so unwilling to give up their power, that they will not even acknowledge the day to day struggles of those they are speaking with, that could help better the educational process of our future generations.