Racial Identity Blog #5

Racial identity is a very important aspect of who you are and how you see yourself. I am very aware of my racial identity and I know who I am and how I compare to others. I always remember knowing my racial identity. However, I remember being in elementary school and taking my first standardized test. Before we began to take the test, we all had to fill in information about ourselves. Among the required information, your race was asked. There was a boy in the room who raised his hand and told the teacher that he did not know what race he was, as his parents had never talked about it with him. I remember being very surprised by that, I simply could not understand how this boy did not know anything about his race. After learning in class about racial identity, I was somewhat relieved to find that most people do know and can relay their racial identity to others. For example, according to Spring, pg. 111, "...more than 90% of  native-born African Americans and whites express a clear racial identity as black or white". This shows how many people are very aware of what their racial identity is. While there are many different races, it is very important for each person to know their racial identity. In order to obtain a great value and importance of your race, you must understand your personal background and become familiar with who you are. 

White Privilege

In class we have been learning about white privilege, which is the advantages that whites have over those of a different race. We have learned through required class readings of Spring and the McIntosh article what white privilege is and how it affects everyone in our society. White privilege is a problem, according to Spring chapter 2 "white, non-Hispanics with bachelor's degrees earned an esitmated 2.2 million during their work-life, while "blacks" and "Hispanics" with the same educational attainment earned $1.7 and $1.8 million respectively". This shows the huge difference that white privilege is making. It is wrong that this is still going on in todays world, and something needs to be done. In the McIntosh article, it is pointed out that white privilege is ignored and even taught by whites the same way that males ignore the advantage that they have over women. I believe that everyone is equal, and regardless of your race or gender, everyone should get what they deserve in terms of their education. If an african american woman completes the same education that a white woman does, they should equally earn the same salary. Before talking about this issue, I had no idea that things like this were going on. I knew there was still racisim, but I had no idea that it was still to this extent. I am suprised that as a country, this is still happening and i hope in the near future things get figured out and there is no longer the idea of white privliege because everything will be equal among Americans. 

Service Learning Experience

When I attended my first experience with service learning, I was very excited but yet a little nervous. I am doing service learning in a second grade classroom at Milwaukee College Prep, a charter school in Milwaukee. After learning in class about what a charter school is supposed to be, I can say that Milwaukee College Prep does a great job of fulfilling the role of a charter school. On my first day of service learning, I walked into the hallway to find that all of the classes were named after a University and all classes had huge banners above the doors stating the year that they are to graduate high school. This was very surprising to me, but it fit very well with the mission of the school which is "To college and beyond". This saying is enforced daily in the classroom and the students are always expected to be the best student that they can be. For example, when the students line up to go to a different class they are all completly silent and in a straight line or else they are not allowed to carry on to their next class. In addition, in the rare instance that a child does misbehave, they are asked to make a deposit. This means that the child must give their fake money to the teacher and get a letter signed by their parents. From the 6 or 7 times I have went to service learning, there has only been 1 deposit given, in which case, the child cried. In a class that is 100% African American, none of the kids lash out, skip school, or disrespect their teachers or visitors such as myself. The school is doing a great job of educating these children in not only the required curriculum but in life as well. During my time at the school, my role has been different almost everytime. I have done everything from grading papers, helping with math problems, going to recess, helping with science class, having books read to me, and even disiplinary issues. It has been a great experience which has taught me that I really will enjoy being a teacher.

Blog #2 Reflection on power and control of schools

Recently in class we have been learning a lot about schools and the different systems in America. We were able to find the differences between public schools, private schools, home schooling, and what school of choice is. From class readings we have found that there are different types of public schools. According to Spring, these include open enrollment, magnet schools, alternative schools, and public charter schools. A public school is  available to any child for free. Magnet schools attract specific specialties such as learning for children with disabilities. Alternative schools apply to many students who are troubled, or teens who are pregnant. A public charter school typically helps give students a chance to attend a better school than the locally provided public school. They offer a more disciplined environment than a typical public school and they strive for excellence. in addition to the many forms of public schools, there is private schools. Private schools cost money and the government does not support them the way public schools are supported. Religion is typically a common factor for all private schools. In addition, school of choice is another option available to students who want to attend a school outside of their assigned public school. It allows parents to select an appropriate school for their child to attend, the only drawback is that the parent has to find their own method of transportation. Lastly, is the method of home schooling. This is where the child's parent teaches their child. The parents are still required to achieve the required state goals, it is typically thought to be done because of the families religious beliefs. Overall, there are many different opinions to which school is best. Many people believe that private schools are superior to public education. I would have to say that there are many different advantages and disadvantages to each type of school and not one of them is superior to the other i feel like a lot of times, students decide what they want to achieve and accomplish. Students get out what they put into it. 

Warrior's Don't Cry Reflection

Over the past few weeks in education class we have been reading the book Warrior's Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals. This book is the actual life story of Melba who was one of the nine black students involved in the major turning point of integration known as The Little Rock Nine. The book begins as Melba gives a brief overview and introduction to the story of the Little Rock Nine and in the second chapter she begins to give a much more detailed story as to what exactly happened day by day before integration began. Melba talks about how she was deeply afraid of white people and how she did not understand the reasoning as to why she had to drink at a seperate drinking fountian or use a different bathroom. Melba introduces some very important people in her life, and very critical to her personal story like her mother, father, grandmother, and brother. She explains how great her grandmother is and talks about the many things that they do together. It is her grandmother who gives her much advice about God and how to act around others. She even saves her when Melba goes to the white womens bathroom. Chapter three is when Melba's story begins to get interesting. It is when Plessy vs. Ferguson took place, stating that seperate but equal is constitutionally unequal. This was a huge deal and Melba's teacher even let the students out of class for the day, something that never happened. On her way home, Melba was attacked by a white man who began to rape Melba, luckily she was able to get away with the help of another girl, but Melba's grandmother did not make light of the situation. I do not believe that Melba knew the extent of what happened to her that day, but she was told to never speak of it, but to pray for the man who had attacked her. I personally would have found this as something that would be very hard to do, I would be so man and have such hatred towards someone who tried to do such terrible things to me. I feel like this says a lot about Melba and what kind of person she is, she is very strong. For example, when her teacher asks if anyone would like to attend Central High School, an all white school, Melba immedietly jumps at the opprotunity. Although others threaten her and her family, Melba stands strong and does not give in. She knows that it is the right thing for her to integrate the school and she knows that she can and will do just that. Then the day comes when Melba can finally attend school, after much struggle Melba and her mother finally arrive to the school where they are chased and followed by an angry mob threatining their lives. The guards will not let the black students in by rules of govenor Fabues. In a result of the integration, Melbas house is shot at and more threats keep coming. Personally, if I were Melba, I would not be able to be as strong as she was. She was someone who could stand strong regardless of what was going on. She kept her faith strong which was a very large part of the story and the reason as to why Melba was able to do the things that she did, because as in her grandmothers words, "In God's time. Be patient, child, and tell God all about it". This quote was able to help Melba with many struggles in the first days of integration in Central High School.