'Unlearning the Myths' reflection

            This piece made me think about how much kids learn from the media versus their own parents versus their school and teachers. I thought it was interesting how much blame the author was putting on the media. I think that everything that was said has lots of truth and lots of merit, but nothing about what children learn in other places was mentioned. I believe that stereotypes exist and are virtually unavoidable. But I also believe that early on, before a child can understand a story, the basic knowledge of acceptance must be in place. Kids need to be taught at home that they must not believe everything they see or here, and that they should accept everyone and treat everyone as equals. That being said, I know that the media, especially today, is a big part of everyday life. But I also think we look at selective media. Lots of emphasis was put on Disney. There are other films to show your children with less aggressive stereotyping. However, I also believe that that is what media is. It is a character that represents something. It is up to the artist what it represents, but there is media in favor of all types of people, and it is up to us what we show our children, and what we let ourselves believe. Of course over exposure will sway a person, but ultimately, a person’s values and morals and standards should be based on much more than what is shown in the media, and I believe that that must start with parents teaching an open and strong mind from day one.

'Love is all you need?' response

This week, I chose to write my blog based on the video that Valerie posted, called Love is all you need?  I had a few reactions to this video that I would like to discuss.
       I'll start with my positive reactions and thoughts. Because this video was based on true events, I believe that it was very accurate to what homosexual youth face in today's society. I think that it gave a very real sense of how alone these kids feel, even when they are at home with their families, who are supposed to provide unconditional love. The truth about how quickly, dramatically, and severely these issues can escalate was captured very well. I think some people don't realize, or maybe even refuse to believe how extreme bullying is becoming. This video provided a relatable circumstance for all viewers which i believe is a good thing, but also led me to the questioning part of my reaction.
       Watching this video made me wonder why we need to have issues turned around on us to make us really think about them. Why do people need to be in a situation before they realize that other humans have the same feelings that they do. Sometimes it seems as though others are unable to feel sympathy until they themselves wish they had someone. I do not understand where one group of human beings can determine that they are better than others. I know what the laws say, and what the bibles say, but how did people come to regard their own feelings as more important than other's feelings? To me, this is all about how people feel, and how other people feel about those feelings. Why can't we all just make our lives what we would like them to me. I wonder how people can be so violent, with what seems like no incentive. People act solely on emotions. Funny how these things seem to come full circle. But some one always needs to win, right?
      I believe that children need to be taught acceptance at an early age. Perhaps details are not necessary, but just the teaching everyone is free to be who they are. There is not a right or a wrong and there is not a good and a bad. Instead of telling your daughter she will grow up and marry a handsome prince, maybe tell her someday she will grow up and marry an amazing person. Bullying starts very early, and some new voices need to be heard to stop it.

'Aria' Connections

          I made connections with Aria, by Richard Rodriguez, The Silenced Dialogue, by Lisa Delpit, and An Indian Father's Plea, by Robert Lake. The piece was about Rodriguez's struggle with public identity, learning a second language, and being a proud member of his family and people.
          In an Indian Father's Plea, a father is writing to a school to see if something could be done about the way his son's culture seemed to be stripped from him during school hours. I drew a connection here because it was almost the opposite in this article by Rodriguez. When it was brought to the attention of Richard's parents that they might want to help their child learn English, they immediately brought about change in their household. So much so that when they wanted to speak Spanish again, it was nearly impossible. In the Plea, it was the goal of the father to get his son an education in an American school without diminishing or discouraging his Native American culture, heritage, and education. They were willing to work as a team and were not willing to sacrifice. Richard's family on the other hand, was very ready to let their children assimilate in English speaking American culture.
           I also related this to The Silenced Dialogue. There was a culture of power, and it was very evident. When the Rodriguez kids could not speak English, the nuns went to their house and suggested (insisted) that the kids learn English. The parents did not feel as though they had a choice. They had to do what the culture of power was telling them. In this case, the culture was present in school the same way it was in society in general. The culture was the English speaking culture. In order to be a functioning member of this society, English was needed. There was no way to avoid the people in power, when they were such a minority they were unable to make their voices heard.

'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.

'Amazing Grace' Reflection

       "Amazing Grace" by Jonathan Kozol was a very humbling and emotional piece. The story really helped begin to open my eyes to the extent and degree of poverty and hopelessness in the United States. Although I have always been aware that I am privileged, I am only just beginning to realize how privileged I am, and what that really means. I take for granted the fact that I get to go to college, without even thinking about it. Most of these kids are barely making it out of middle school. I take for granted the fact that I could go outside and play with my friends as a child. I could walk down my street alone with no fear. I did not realize then that this is something to be grateful for. I realize now that not living in constant fear and desperation is a privilege in itself.
       It was heartbreaking to read this piece. There were moments when I found myself close to tears, really feeling for these people in this story. And then I realized that these are real people. This is not a story for them, this is their reality, every single day. They can't escape. When I'm done reading, I am going to pull out my own macbook, finish a school assignment and go to sleep in my own bed. I am not going to lock and bar my windows and doors, and I am not going to fear about waking up in the morning, as one father in this piece mentioned he does during the cold months.When I am close to tears reading this, it is even more difficult to imagine the magnitude of the horrible emotions that these people face everyday.
     But in spite of this, these people keep going. They have accepted that this is their life, and that it will not change. This is difficult to write, because I know that I am not going to be the one to change their lives. This is going to take a whole lot of time, and a whole lot of people. The people that inhabit these areas are not there by choice. These people had no other options, and are forced to do what they do to survive. And the fact that their voices are not heard, that they are ignored, is a horrific thing. They accept what they have and they make the most of what they have. Through depression, and hunger, and drugs, and extreme poverty, these people keep living their lives the best that they can, and I think that some of us more privileged societies can learn a thing or two.

First Blog Post!

Hi, i'm erin:) I have just transferred to RIC from Suffolk University in Boston. So far, I am really enjoying my time here, and can't wait to see how the semester progresses. I plan to major in Early Childhood Education, and am really excited to see where that takes me. Outside of school, I am a high school colorguard instructor, and I participate in colorguard in Boston, MA and Nashua, NH. Looking forward to getting to know all of you!