Unlearning Myths That Blind Us

Unlearning Myths That Blind Us (reflection)

By: Linda Christensen

         This article "Unlearning Myths That Blinds Us" talks about how Disney movies secretly educate children "programming" them to believe that certain standards are expected of them. Making them believe that life only happens the way fairy tales perceive them. Girls now believe they have to look like all fairy tale Princesses. Causing eating disorders, depression and bullying. If you don't look a certain way now in our society you are considered ugly, fat and looked down upon. Even if you turn off the Disney fairy tales, we are still exposed to all of the expectations of women in commercials, in magazines, on tv and through all media. Women are expected to have a specific body type, skinny, broad hips and tall. However not everyone is born with that body type! Everyone is beautiful and unique and we all need to accept it as it is. No one is the same and we  shouldn't be expected to be the same.

         Women as also perceived in most Disney films as weak, unintelligent and in need of a mans help. Snow White and Sleeping Beauty for instance need a kiss by a prince in order for them to be saved! Why is it that all Disney princesses have to be portrayed in this manner? Why can't women be the hero in the movie? Why can't she save herself or even save a man? Women are capable of taking care of themselves and it's sad that we are portrayed otherwise. It brainwashes the children into believing that women in fact can't be anything but helpless.
Gender Roles in Disney Movies

         I think this also goes along with "The Silenced Dialogue", by Lisa Delpit and how we already have this stereotype of different cultures and how they learn in school. Many TV shows and movies also show our stereotypes of different cultures and how they act in school and at home. This cause wrong perceptions of people of those cultures and affecting their opportunities in jobs and in school due to those false perceptions. 

Speaking the unspeakable in forbidden places:

Speaking the Unspeakable in Forbidden Places:(extended comments)

By: Alexandra Allan

In Frankie O'Hara's blog post about "Speaking the Unspeakable in Forbidden Places: Addressing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equality in the Primary School" written by Alexandra Allan and many other authors, he talks about how its good for teachers to discuss with their class about gay and lesbian individuals. I completely agree with all the points he raised about how it is definitely necessary for a child to learn at an early age that there are gay and lesbian people in the world. It gives them a positive light about the idea and allows them to feel comfortable and not confused about what it means. Reading books are a great way to start incorporating them in a positive manner during class. Frankie also talks about how it'll help prevent students bulling other students from the LGBT community. I believe that this is also very true because if the children learn at a young age that people apart of that group are no different from everyone else and they will feel comfortable to understand that they are normal. Something that Frankie hadn't mentioned that I also believe is important is the fact that children who eventually figure out they are gay will feel comfortable about their sexuality, knowing that its normal and that they should express it among other without fear.

I love how Frankie compared this article to some other articles we read. This was the main reason why I chose to extend further comments from his blog. I really liked how he compared the LGBT community to racial groups and how they feel like outcasts because they are perceived as different from the norm in society. The racial groups feel like outcasts because of their different skin color or different social beliefs from the Caucasian race. In this case its a persons sexual preference that makes them feel like an outsider which, I agree with Frankie, is equally ridiculous. African Americans aren't represented in commercials and tv shows enough, same thing with the LGBT society, thye need to be represented more in our society. I love the idea that there are more authors writing about same sex marriage and parenting for children s books. It's definitely a good step in the right direction. Teachers should use these books more in class to help kids learn about the LGBT community. I think that Disney should release a same sex fairy tale movie as well, giving more exposure to the kids and show them that not all couples are opposite sex. That is all they are exposed to in those films and a film with same sex couples would help them feel comfortable to the idea. Teachers can help fix many problems in our society by educating the younger generations to accept all and make the society a better place.

Kids are more accepting why can't we all be like them? Kids talking about Gay Marriage

Why Can't She Remember That

Why Can't She Remember That? (reflection)

By Terry Meier

The part of the article that I thought was the most power is the section called "Children using language in powerful ways." Terry Meier uses examples of children using their brilliant linguistic skills in order to get out of situations. Marisa and her father were having a conversation and her father offered her a taco with chile. Marisa's father was teasing her because she doesn't like chile and she responded by saying she would hit him. Realizing that her father thought she had gone to far and was going to receive punishment, she changed her verbal behavior and started singing all of the people she would hit. This got her out of trouble because she convinced her father she was teasing. She is three and she had the quick-thinking switch from threat to teasing behavior! Another example she used was Lindsey's ability to get what she wanted through different verbal tactics. She started reciting a part of a book her mother read to her one time to charm her mother into pulling over the car to retrieve the rice cake Lindsey dropped. Finally the last example was Lem getting out of trouble coming up with a poem on the spot using the threat his mother used. Meier states, "Each of these preschoolers, socialized in very different linguistic and cultural communities, demonstrates the ability to use language in powerful ways to negotiate relationships with other people and to accomplish his of her social purposes." All of these kids show that they are smart and bright kids. Their ability to think up ways to get out of situations and get them what they want is so surprising! Its insane how smart kids actually are and we don't give them enough credit for their abilities. All children are so bright and have great potential to strive for success. The fact that these kids can learn their linguistic abilities through what they read and their interactions with their community is something that we should use to our advantage. All parents should read and talk to their kids in great amounts everyday. Kids are bright and soak up everything and anything they can. 

This article talks about the importance of having as many conversation as possible with your child in order for them to grow in their linguistic abilities. 

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/09/children_s_language_development_talk_and_listen_to_them_from_birth.html

The Silenced Dialogue

The Silenced Dialogue

Lisa Delpit

Lisa Delpits argues that African American students do not gain the skills necessary for success through current education and the educators of color have their ideas silenced. For many students, there is a divide between the culture of their homes and their school, usually the middle-class. This class makes up the Culture of Power with implied rules and codes where people from that culture unconsciously follow those rules due to the fact that they were born into that culture. The techniques that educators use are frequently unsuited for minority or poor students and do not prepare these individuals for success in society. The aspects of the culture of power have five parts. "Issues of power are enacted in classrooms. There are codes or rules for participating in power; that is, there is a "culture of power.' The rules of the culture power are a reflection of the culture of those who have power. If you are not already a participant in the culture of power, being old explicitly the rules of that culture makes acquiring power easier. Those with power are frequently least aware of--or least willing to acknowledge--its existence. Those with less power are often most aware of its existence." These points talk about how students culture and how they present themselves cause teachers predict how they will do in school. If you are not a part of the culture in power its hard to succeed unless the people from that culture explain the codes and rules. She believes that African American children should be taught the 'culture in power' codes and rules as if it were a second language so that to not take away their cultural background. They are able to learn the codes and rules and should be allowed to have the same success as the students in the 'culture of power'. She states that explicit communication is required for success.

             I think that this could be compared to "White Privilege" written by Peggy McIntosh. Could we call this white privilege? The ability for the white culture to silence people of other cultures, and stereotyping their cultures, is that white privilege? I definitely think that it could be considered white privilege. The white culture is the "culture of power" making all other cultures having to learn the "culture of powers" way in how they act in order to fit into the society.

Lisa Delpit Presentation

What I really want to talk about is how we can use this in the future when we start teaching our own classes. What is the best way to get all the cultures on the same page in order for teaching to be more beneficial to all cultures in class? How can I make all students be able to take away what I'm teaching and make them prepared and successful in the future?

White Privilege

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
By Peggy McIntosh

In Peggy McIntosh's "White Privilege" argues that white privilege is a huge problem in our society that is often oppressed by the white race unconsciously. The race as a whole refuses to acknowledge the problem and is taught that the privileges aren't essentially there. McIntosh reverse to white privilege as, "an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, code books, visas, clothes, tools and blank checks," (McIntosh p. 1). This explanation of white privilege shows that the white race benefits from privileges without even recognizing its existence.

She discusses all of the privileges she has noticed in a list of twenty six different ideas of white privilege. Some examples of hers are being able to walk and go anywhere without being harassed due to skin color or race. Whites are able to feel confident that policemen aren't pulling them over due to their skin color or race. One that I thought was very powerful was the idea that whites have the expectation that neighbors will be decent to you, or that their race will not count against them in court. She talks about how these should be a norm for everyone in society. No one should lack these privileges. Why is it that not everyone have these privileges. Why is it only a privilege to whites?

One thing I've never actually heard of or even thought of, as a matter of fact, is the idea that whites have a privilege of being able to find bandages in "flesh" color and have them more or less match their skin color. 

Why is it that its much harder to find things that match other peoples skin color such as bandages or makeup? Why is that a privilege to whites? Why don't most places sell different shades of bandages and makeup?

All About Me

Hi my name is Sydney. I am a student at Rhode Island College and I am majoring in Elementary Education with a focus in Math. My semester so far is going well! I like all my classes and believe I am going to do well in all of them. Outside of class I swim on the RIC swim team and also I pole vault on the track team. I have been swimming since I was 10 years old, so for 8 years and track I have been jumping for 3 years. I love being active and I love adventure.