Discussion Four

 
This week we read Ch. 6 in the Grant and Sleeter book which focuses on a multicultural and social justice approach to education. It seems that this would be a good place to start if we want to build community and create safe environments for our students. Much of the prejudice and strain between races and groups that I see at my school and really, the world in general, stems from fear and frustration. People fear what is unfamiliar or different and that can lead to racism and hatred between different kinds of people. Also, when there are limited resources available in a community it is easy to lash out at the people that are competing for those same resources. A multicultural education can help build community by increasing awareness and knowledge between different types of people. As a culture or race becomes more familiar what stands out is not the differences but the similarities to one's own culture. The social justice facet of this sort of education can also help build community and increase the safety of our students because it looks beyond simple circumstances ("There are only a few jobs available in this community and all the Mexicans/Blacks/Immigrants/Asians are taking them all!") to more systemic inequalities and how they can be remedied ("Why is the job market in this community so bad? Why don't we have more opportunities available here? Who is responsible and how can we create change?").
Also, when teachers and schools in general embrace a multicultural and social justice oriented curriculum and philosophy they make schools a safe, welcoming place for all students. I have been in classes where I knew the teacher didn't like Mexicans or female students. It is a stressful situation. My stomach would hurt before class everyday because I knew that I might have to deal with the teacher's bad attitude. I knew that I wouldn't be able to ask any questions because the teacher would be angry or might make fun of me. It is impossible to learn in such a climate. If a student knows that when they go to school they will be surrounded by teachers and admin that value them it can make an incredible difference. I have seen the change that caring can make, both in my own classroom experience as a student and a teacher but also through the book that my book group is reading.