I have been racking my brain trying to think of a specific incident of "dual existence," but I'm coming up short. I know it happens daily and I know that I have observed it happening. I do not have experience teaching ELL students, but I have taught students who were not born in America.
There is definitely a tension between Hispanic students and African American students at my school. (The white population is very minimal.) One thing that I have noticed in working with 7th graders is the tension in boy/girl relationships. It is very rare that Hispanics "go out" with someone that is not Hispanic. The same thing goes for African American students.
I can also see the huge difference between American football and soccer at my school. There are a few African American boys and a few Asian boys on the soccer team, but the majority of the players are Hispanic. I do not know of a Hispanic boy on the football team. I thought about this as I was reading chapter 8 of Quinones's book.
I believe that we must do a better job of teaching not only cultural acceptance, but the benefits and values of each culture. I also believe that we (adults) must do a better job of modeling how we treat one another. Our youth is so mold-able and some of us really mess up the moldings!
Awareness is one key factor in beginning a cycle of change. We also must become unified in our fight to put an end to hate. It all goes back to the cardinal rule, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." Each of us is valuable, important, able to love and be loved. We all have the same basic needs for survival.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
#4 on ch.6-7
Which situation cited is worse?
Both of the situations given are unfortunate. To be betrayed by your country or anyone else is a deep pain that takes much time and effort to heal. To be abandoned is equally saddening. I'm not sure that I believe one is worse than the other. I suppose that the the young opera singer being overlooked is a little "worse" because it directly effected a young man. The situation of going to Chicago and not really returning is sad, but these families are able to at least visit their home villages.
Immigration is a difficult choice to make, I would imagine. At one point, I had a desire to move to Australia. I would get really excited and make "internet plans" as I dreamed of what it would be like. Then I would think about being that far away from my family, friends, and everything that was familiar to me. These thoughts along with a lack of finances caused that dream to fade away.
A real leap of faith is necssary to make such a decision. I suppose those that are left behind "back home" are always hopeful of your return, but once you leave who knows what may happen? There is so much to consider...
The only way I can relate to the boy who was betrayed is to think of a time when a friend or someone I knew betrayed me. Fortunately, I can't recall a serious instance where this occurred, but ANY time someone lets us down or turns their back from us, it is very painful.
Examining immigration from these two dark words made me think a little differently about it. I'm not sure I would ever have the guts to pack up and leave everything familiar to me on a "hope" that my life could be better. Leaving your country and immigrating is actually a brave act of courage.
Both of the situations given are unfortunate. To be betrayed by your country or anyone else is a deep pain that takes much time and effort to heal. To be abandoned is equally saddening. I'm not sure that I believe one is worse than the other. I suppose that the the young opera singer being overlooked is a little "worse" because it directly effected a young man. The situation of going to Chicago and not really returning is sad, but these families are able to at least visit their home villages.
Immigration is a difficult choice to make, I would imagine. At one point, I had a desire to move to Australia. I would get really excited and make "internet plans" as I dreamed of what it would be like. Then I would think about being that far away from my family, friends, and everything that was familiar to me. These thoughts along with a lack of finances caused that dream to fade away.
A real leap of faith is necssary to make such a decision. I suppose those that are left behind "back home" are always hopeful of your return, but once you leave who knows what may happen? There is so much to consider...
The only way I can relate to the boy who was betrayed is to think of a time when a friend or someone I knew betrayed me. Fortunately, I can't recall a serious instance where this occurred, but ANY time someone lets us down or turns their back from us, it is very painful.
Examining immigration from these two dark words made me think a little differently about it. I'm not sure I would ever have the guts to pack up and leave everything familiar to me on a "hope" that my life could be better. Leaving your country and immigrating is actually a brave act of courage.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Blog #2 (ch.4-5)
"Velvet Art"
I suppose partly because I wasn't born until 1982, I am not familiar with "velvet Elvis" or "velvet Jesus." After reading these sections of the book by Quinones I decided to Google velvet art. The first thing that came as a result was children's art. This is something that I am familiar with and wondered if they were related or even the same thing. You know, the picture in black and white on velvet where you use special markers to color it in yourself, often a clown or scene of unicorns? I believe I may have completed one as a child, but I know my younger cousins have.
I did find it interesting that they actually hand painted all of the velvet art that was being loaded onto trucks around the clock. I'm sure it was such a relief to find a way to make money, but the labor was non-stop. I also wondered how many of the people painting suffered from brain injury due to the excessive amount of time around the fumes from the paint. And of course there was the fear that someone else would steal your secret idea and the competition would increase.
Wow...something just struck me. After consulting Google images and viewing several different ones, I realized that my grandmother has a "velvet Jesus" framed and hanging in her living room. I have always thought it was an interesting picture...unique and brilliant in its own way. After reading I know that this was cheap art for the not-so-wealthy person in the 1970s. That makes sense to me though because no one in my family is above the middle class socially, but my grandmother definitely has class in my book. Maybe they aren't so bad afterall. Perhaps I'll put dibs on that piece of art and put on display in my own home one day.
Ridicule for sharing?
I believe it depends on the location of the school. I currently work in a Title I (90% F/RL) with a very diverse population. At my school, I am not sure that students would have much to say to someone who shared this tradition of his family.
At a school with a much lower F/RL percentage, which is not very diverse, I could see this being more likely to occur. I put a lot of time and effort in creating a classroom environment from day one that is accepting, respectful, and kind. I believe that we all have our own little secrets about our families that we could keep under the table if we chose. However, there is so much value in learning about one another's backgrounds and experiences. I think that the best way to handle this ridicule is to be proactive in taking steps to prevent it all together.
I suppose partly because I wasn't born until 1982, I am not familiar with "velvet Elvis" or "velvet Jesus." After reading these sections of the book by Quinones I decided to Google velvet art. The first thing that came as a result was children's art. This is something that I am familiar with and wondered if they were related or even the same thing. You know, the picture in black and white on velvet where you use special markers to color it in yourself, often a clown or scene of unicorns? I believe I may have completed one as a child, but I know my younger cousins have.
I did find it interesting that they actually hand painted all of the velvet art that was being loaded onto trucks around the clock. I'm sure it was such a relief to find a way to make money, but the labor was non-stop. I also wondered how many of the people painting suffered from brain injury due to the excessive amount of time around the fumes from the paint. And of course there was the fear that someone else would steal your secret idea and the competition would increase.
Wow...something just struck me. After consulting Google images and viewing several different ones, I realized that my grandmother has a "velvet Jesus" framed and hanging in her living room. I have always thought it was an interesting picture...unique and brilliant in its own way. After reading I know that this was cheap art for the not-so-wealthy person in the 1970s. That makes sense to me though because no one in my family is above the middle class socially, but my grandmother definitely has class in my book. Maybe they aren't so bad afterall. Perhaps I'll put dibs on that piece of art and put on display in my own home one day.
Ridicule for sharing?
I believe it depends on the location of the school. I currently work in a Title I (90% F/RL) with a very diverse population. At my school, I am not sure that students would have much to say to someone who shared this tradition of his family.
At a school with a much lower F/RL percentage, which is not very diverse, I could see this being more likely to occur. I put a lot of time and effort in creating a classroom environment from day one that is accepting, respectful, and kind. I believe that we all have our own little secrets about our families that we could keep under the table if we chose. However, there is so much value in learning about one another's backgrounds and experiences. I think that the best way to handle this ridicule is to be proactive in taking steps to prevent it all together.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
#1 for YOED 6020
What is your position on the current state of immigration?
First, I think it is important to remind myself (and others) that this country was founded by immigrants! The creation of our country's population consisted of various cultures and groups of individuals who fled to America in search of "opportunity." Due to this unarguable fact, I support immigration rights. However, immigration from Mexico since the 60s has continued to increase at rapid rates. There has to be some form of control.
Quinones wrote about Mexican immigrants taking jobs that people already in America did not want. I think that this is also true and a reason that crossing the border has become so common. Unfortunately, we (American taxpayers) must pay for health care and education for the children of illegal immigrants while they contribute nothing to this funding. (However, I also recognize that there are people in the U.S. that do not work and rely on government supported income (welfare) and public housing.) I believe that neither is correct.
For example, a student at the school where I work is illegal (he has a 9 as the first digit of his SS# and I was informed that this is how we distinguish if a child is here illegally). He is a behavior problem and was recently arrested (not the first time) for assaulting another student. So, now not only are we paying for his education, we have to pay for his criminal incidents as well. Nothing will be done to him because he is a child. He does not have insurance so his mother took him to the clinic for his injuries. She knew not to take him to the ER because she could not afford to pay for it and because she knew she might be questioned about whether or not she had citizenship rights and did not want to face deportation.
I appreciate their ability to make American dollars and become middle class in Mexico due the exchange rate. However, I also think it is important to remember that many who fled their home communities to work in other places actually wound up damaging their home towns because they brought in money for their families, but did not actually live there themselves, which caused buildings to become vacant.
Quinones also mentions that many immigrants, both legal and illegal, have fled to the southeast region. Typically, these workers settle for low wages and complete hard labor. I know that in Cheatham County, where I am from, there are many immigrants, especially Mexicans, who work the tobacco fields.
Do you have any suggestions for immigration reform?
Each situation is unique. Therefore, what is best for one family may not be the same for another. Border control, as it is now, doesn't seem to be fixing the problem. I just wish that those who truly wanted to become American and live the American life would apply to do so. I feel that those who are here illegally are the ones who are not interested in becoming American, but are interested in the exchange rate of dollars and pesos. I may be incorrect or too uneducated about the topic, but this seems to be the case from where I sit.
First, I think it is important to remind myself (and others) that this country was founded by immigrants! The creation of our country's population consisted of various cultures and groups of individuals who fled to America in search of "opportunity." Due to this unarguable fact, I support immigration rights. However, immigration from Mexico since the 60s has continued to increase at rapid rates. There has to be some form of control.
Quinones wrote about Mexican immigrants taking jobs that people already in America did not want. I think that this is also true and a reason that crossing the border has become so common. Unfortunately, we (American taxpayers) must pay for health care and education for the children of illegal immigrants while they contribute nothing to this funding. (However, I also recognize that there are people in the U.S. that do not work and rely on government supported income (welfare) and public housing.) I believe that neither is correct.
For example, a student at the school where I work is illegal (he has a 9 as the first digit of his SS# and I was informed that this is how we distinguish if a child is here illegally). He is a behavior problem and was recently arrested (not the first time) for assaulting another student. So, now not only are we paying for his education, we have to pay for his criminal incidents as well. Nothing will be done to him because he is a child. He does not have insurance so his mother took him to the clinic for his injuries. She knew not to take him to the ER because she could not afford to pay for it and because she knew she might be questioned about whether or not she had citizenship rights and did not want to face deportation.
I appreciate their ability to make American dollars and become middle class in Mexico due the exchange rate. However, I also think it is important to remember that many who fled their home communities to work in other places actually wound up damaging their home towns because they brought in money for their families, but did not actually live there themselves, which caused buildings to become vacant.
Quinones also mentions that many immigrants, both legal and illegal, have fled to the southeast region. Typically, these workers settle for low wages and complete hard labor. I know that in Cheatham County, where I am from, there are many immigrants, especially Mexicans, who work the tobacco fields.
Do you have any suggestions for immigration reform?
Each situation is unique. Therefore, what is best for one family may not be the same for another. Border control, as it is now, doesn't seem to be fixing the problem. I just wish that those who truly wanted to become American and live the American life would apply to do so. I feel that those who are here illegally are the ones who are not interested in becoming American, but are interested in the exchange rate of dollars and pesos. I may be incorrect or too uneducated about the topic, but this seems to be the case from where I sit.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Meet Rachel
My name is Rachel. This is my second class towards my Ed.S. (C&I) which I just started in May. I finished my M.Ed. at TSU in December. I have my beginning administrator's license, but I am not currently an administrator. My goal is to complete this degree in August 2010. After Dr. Craig's FOED 7060 class, I am LOVING being a "blogger!"
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