During class the question arose, "can segregated schools still exhibit excellent educations for its students?" The roots of the problem that we were trying to attack was what affects do integrated schools have that segregated schools don't. We came to the conclusion quickly that black schools are fully capable of providing their students with knowledge that is equal or even better than those of predominately white schools. However, the definition of education has to be made clear. Education, in this case, refers solely to the knowledge and facts that one can acquire. However, a knowledge of history or math doesn't appropriately equip an individual to be a productive member of society, when it comes to dealing and interacting with cultural diversity. Therefore, lets look deeper into what education entitles. In an integrated school, in addition to gaining a knowledge of facts about certain subjects, students additionally gain an understanding, or an "education" of how to interact with people that don't look like them, speak like them, or share the same lifestyles as them. Or does it? This is my question. Just because we throw a bunch of black and white students into the same school, does this mean that we are subsequently fostering situations where students will learn to be more culturally diverse? If this is the case, how so? If this is not the case, should taking deliberate action to educate individuals to be more culturally diverse become a part of what education is?
Since being at Rhodes college and taking 2 different courses in African American history, my eyes have been opened to a whole different aspect of the black community. Breaking down the master narrative and taking an in depth look at the struggle for civil rights has allowed me to understand how detrimental segregation and discrimination has been to the progress of this country. Not only for african americans but also for every race or ethnicity that is "different" to the american culture. By integrating schools and implementing deliberate action to educate students about different ethnicities and races and how to interact with the differences in the real world, many invisible walls will be broken down. The threat of being subject to stereotypes, feelings of inferiority, and socioeconomic discrimination that comes with different races and ethnicities will be confronted. Do you agree with this? Furthermore, what kind of experiences in your own life have led you to see things differently in regards to race or ethnicity?
Jonathan, you offer insightful thoughts about the integration of various races. My question is, however, what about the phenomenon of Whites staying together and Blacks staying together? Or, really, other races such as Asians, Indians, etc. When schools are integrated, I do believe schools are fostering and facilitating students to be more culturally diverse. On the other hand, I believe it is essential for teachers to be able to take deliberate action to put an effort into making sure students are having more conversations about diversity. In my own experience, I grew up in a small rural Kentucky town with my parents of two different races. My classmates would always ask me, "What are you?" While it wasn't offensive to me, some people can be very defensive about their ethnicities. With any type of integration, you have the threat of being subject to stereotypes and feelings of inferiority. Being able to confront the "threat" through integration is the first step to moving forward, especially for children.
ReplyDeleteAn educational environment(schools) will socialize its members (students) regardless of the racial, ethnic, and socio-economic make-up of the class. It is important to not create an idea of a homogenous Other as well as a homogenous view of whites.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to educating students on how to be "culturally diverse," it is my opinion that this must be done intentionally. Regardless of what age level/grade, students must be allowed to self identify before beginning a conversation or topic on cultural diversity and what it entails. It is my belief that interactive, experiential learning is a successful way to discuss race and ethnicity. Through sharing experiences and how it's changed people's behaviorisms. It is important to first recognize where one stands to set the understanding of how that plays a role in the greater scheme of things.
This touches on the "throw[ing] a bunch of black and white students into the same school," as it is important to recognize people's complexities. It is true that we can't expect for one white student to befriend a black student and teach them all about the 'normative, white American life' as it is also not expected to get all the details of black life or culture from an encounter with one black student. This largely generalizes the socially constructed "race" that students would be trying to unpack. I am fairly positive that there is a school (school system may be a far stretch) somewhere in the country that has had this discussion and has incorporated a similar curriculum. I'd be interested in how this has been developed and how it would be adjusted in order to fit a city like Memphis.