Well, they say that all good things must come to an end... and so it must be with the formal blog. (However, as suggested in class, I will keep it open so that we can continue to learn from it and make continuing contributions.) Again, I have truly found your posts to be quite insightful, and I hope that you have enjoyed reading and participating.
For the last blog, I will encourage you to reflect back upon your initial posts/thoughts when entering the class and to consider what has changed (and stayed the same) for you. What have you discovered? What still remains? What final thoughts would you like to leave with the class? Critiques are also welcomed. (While I will provide ample time for us to share during our last class session on Tuesday, please feel free to start the wrap-up process here.) You don't need to answer all of the questions posed here... just say whatever you wish.
Have fun!
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Does this class have to end? When I first got my books for Social Justice, I didn't really know what to expect or that I would have such a mind altering/life changing experience in 3.5 weeks. The first day, I remember thinking "Oh Lord, I'm going to have to think this summer!" and going home, talking about class and how I didn't know what to expect, but I loved the energy we had together. I'm so happy that this was a required class because otherwise, I'm sure I probably wouldn't have taken it. I didn't realize the necessity that the notion of social justice would be in my life, not only as a teacher, but as a citizen of the world. Because of this class, and the people in this class, and most of all Dr. Greenfield, I will never be the same. I have been changed for the better, and because I have changed, now, I hope to change others. Let's keep the candle burning!
ReplyDeleteIn my intitial post, I mentioned that discussing social justice issues in meetings at my school left me feeling tired because I experienced strong emotions during the meetings. I now realize that I was tired after those meetings because I felt overwhelmed by what still needs to be done and discouraged by the lack of proposed solutions. At our meetings at school, there is talk about the problems, but little and (too general) discussion about remedies. When I brought this up with an administrator at my school who is very interested in social justice in education, she said that she, too, felt frustrated by the meetings that she as an administrator attends because the same thing often happens there - talk about the problems, but not enough proposed solutions.
ReplyDeleteAfter taking this class, I do not think I will feel the same frustration. I feel like I should not wait to be told what the school is going to do to make a difference, or what I need to do to make a difference. I need to do what I need to do now it now.
In this class, I lost some of the anger I have felt along with the frustration. I have always felt a sense that I should keep my thoughts to myself (even though I rarely did). I felt angry when otherwise seemingly wonderful people expressed views that struck me as biased, racist, classist, etc. I think I am better equipped now to respond to comments with which I do not agree in a way that can encourage dialogue.
I am happy that the authors of our Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice book include, as part of the curriculum designs, encouraging action to eliminate oppression. I always assumed it was not okay to teach about social justice issues because it seemed akin to teaching about my religion or political views- too personal, not my place. How wrong! It is absolutely necessary; to remain silent about social justice in my words or by my deeds means I will be teaching that continuing with the way things are is fine.
I also mentioned in my first post that I hoped I would be a better teacher for having taken this course. I know that there is one way that I feel I am already better because I discovered a bias I didn't even know was a bias. The discussion about AAE has made me completely rethink the way I have assigned value to modes of speech. I was completely ignorant that there was any other way to speak proper English than the one I was taught. I assumed any other way of speaking English was based on just not knowing better.
Now I know better.
This class has been a wonderful experience for me. I was excited in the beginning and I remain excited because there is a room full of people- in just this one class- who will make a huge difference.
I can honestly say that I didn't know what to expect after our first class. I thought it was going to be a very uncomfortable class and people were going to be very closed and not open to sharing when it came to sensitive topics. I am thrilled that I was wrong. I feel like I have learned a lot in this class about myself, and how I need to adapt to have a more positive classroom that is accepting of everyone. I have also learned a lot about other cultures and people that I wasn't very familiar with. I am so glad that I took this class and I think the way that Dr. Greenfield set it up is perfect. Had this class had tests and been structured like a "traditional" class, I would have been too worried about writing down all the terms and memorizing definitions. Instead, I was able to enjoy the class and take it all in and I think as a result, I learned more in this class than in a "traditional" class.
ReplyDeleteI will admit that before class started I researched a Dr. Derek Greenfield online to see if I could get an idea of what kind of class this might be. Although I acknowledge the importance of history, I wanted more than a review of the civil rights movement. There were many great references to this Dr. Greenfield. I read that he was a dynamic speaker and consultant who educates and inspires, while making learning fun. Check this out if you get a chance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkLX7R3mong
ReplyDeleteI knew that this class would not be boring! I had no idea what I was really in for!
What an eye opening experience this class has been! I thought I knew about biases and prejudices. I thought I understood struggles of “minorities”. I have learned much about how “others” may feel. I have learned to look inside myself and examine my own feelings and biases and understand their link to oppression. I did not consciously oppress anyone, but I am a part of a greater force that does just that. I learned so much about the inequalities in our society. I had never considered the inequality of arriving at education’s door without the cultural capital needed to fit the mold and feel successful. I knew that students of color often struggled and that language was a barrier students had to overcome, but had never considered the numerous identities invisible to our eyes as educators, that needed to be seen as important to the learning process and human psyche. There have been so many enlightening moments that I cannot lists them in this moment.
I feel inspired by Dr. G’s unique and engaging pedagogy, by all the viewpoints shared by everyone in our blogs and in class. I know that working for social justice is the right thing to do. Thank you all for your significant contributions to my education.
I did not know what I was getting myself into after the first class. I believe that my perspective has changed when it comes to how I view oppression. It is no longer just about white vs. black or man vs. woman. It is so much more because people do not just identify with one group of people. I do wish that this class was a full semester. I felt rushed and did not get the chance to let one topic sink in before we began a new one. I also think we had to skip some very important issues such as religion or that we weren't able to cover some issues in depth due to time constraints. It's like Dr. Greenfield says we have to get through about 2 hours worth of information in about 30 minutes. I have really enjoyed the group presentations. Everyone has been very supportive of eachother. I don't know if this would happen in any other class besides this one. My group is presenting tomorrow and I am only a little nervous because I know that people want to help and make the class amazing. (now that I said this people wont say a word)
ReplyDeleteReflecting back...I am very glad I kept an open mind about my own biases and did not shut down and feel hopeless. It would have been easy just to say well this is only a 3.5 week class and not really pay attention to what was happening. I am so glad I did because I now feel like I am walking away aware and armed for a classroom full of children who are going to be different and I will be able to help them feel safe and comfortable in their class.
Thanks for all the insights and support.
eflection on first post: In my initial post I commented that "I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the education I have had that has given me exposure to world cultures that I would not have had it if my choices had been different." Upon revisiting this statement I realize now that while a select few teachers did attempt to expose me to world cultures in an authentic way, that the majority of that exposure is a result of personal experiences - and not so much due to any of my primary schooling. I I chose to go to a small school in a small town after high school and thought I was stepping out enough in doing that - and what I realized very quickly due to those select few teachers I was blessed with during my Freshman Year - I immediately began to crave a larger city, with more kinds of people, with more exposure to the "truths" that I figured out weren't being told to me in most of my other classes. I do believe that my initial cultural capital gave me the opportunity to pursue this higher education, and I am thankful for that - but I feel that it is almost pure luck that I happened to be born into a family that had enough cultural capital themselves to secure a place in the middle class - and perhaps looking back I am reluctantly thankful for that positionality and at the same time, now, extensively aware of all the implications and privileges that were afforded to me as a result - what I now understand after having been through this class is that I was also afforded and inherited biases and oppressive attitudes that I never knew I had. My initial statement above somewhat surprised me as I read it tonight, and made me smile uncomfortably at my assumption that it was simply my education - the opportunity to go to one of the "best" (I now ask myself "by whose standards?") high schools in Greensboro (far from diverse, socially just, multicultural, you name it...doesn't sound very "best" to me now!) and then on to a University (that emcompassed much of the same!)- that created my love and fascination with multicultural education is giving my educational institutions entirely too much credit! I find that I look at my whole educational career a bit differently now... one that explains the embeddedness of attitudes and systems I fear intensely, that I didn't realize I was such a participant in before. I also understand now how incredibly rich my cultural capital was - I had a mother that was an educator who was intensely interested in diversity and multiculturalism and how it affected education, and a father who had the time to coach me in every sport you can imagine so that I learned how to interact and play and plan and strategize with all kinds of kids. I am able to shift my perspective on many levels because of this class - this is just one example that came to mind after reading my initial statement from our first blog. I realize how complicated true "learning" is and that it does not simply include what schools you go to but what culture you are raised in, what social class you are born into, what lessons/biases are taught to you by family/leaders in the community in which you live, what kind of teachers you have at school, whether or not those teachers value the customs and traditions from which you came...
ReplyDeleteonce again... i wrote too much for blogger....
ReplyDeleteIt is remarkable how complex our learning processes are. I also spoke in my first blog of the "disconnect" between our social justice/multicultural understanding in the classroom and our personal lives (again referencing my mother and her discontent w/my interracial relationship). I still want to fully understand this one ---- while this class has allowed my perspective to shift a bit in terms of how I see my mother's journey (and not just her degree) and I feel that I understand the gap a little better, I am still not certain how to make sure that I and my fellow social justice warriors :) do not succomb to the same contradictions... because they won't always be so blatant. I do feel that I have taken a step in the right direction, and that my eyes are wider now... I just hope that I am able to make the best decisions for myself (and thus the lives of children that will be affected by those decisions) going forward in my fight for social justice inside of our educational system and thus, around the world.
Nancy - you are so right on so many levels. I also feel much more equipped/therefore less afraid to speak up and challenge viewpoints that before now would shut me "off" and only produce anger and frustration. I also feel equally more equipped with ideas for solutions... and with an understanding that the solutions themselves can be ever changing and dependent on student success, not only academic success.
ReplyDeleteI may have already posted this... but it's one of my favorites so why not post it again:
ReplyDelete"Your silence will not protect you!" - Audre Lorde
Hey All!
ReplyDeleteI did not want this resource to get lost in Blog #4 since we have moved on to #5. More lesson plans on race are at this link for high school and higher with lessons for science and social studies.
http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-teachers.htm
For another interesting activity follow this link on the same site. What can you tell about a person by simply looking at their face...
http://www.pbs.org/race/002_SortingPeople/002_00-home.htm
When I bought the textbook for this class, I remember being afraid of the C word -no not that C word- my C word is curriculum. I remember asking my husband if he could help me better understand curriculum development and "teacher" words like pedagogy, etc - he said yes. I was worried when I saw the text until I found the practical application piece of the book and I fell in love. At last, a class that really demonstrated the application of theoretical "stuff".
ReplyDeleteI have lost a lot of sleep after this class because what I was learning was both intense and a review of previous coursework, but it was different this time. In some ways the high energy approach and willingess of classmates to share so much has sunk in more and I have lost sleep because I have been reflecting on what I hear, experience, and feel.
I thank each of you for allowing a counselor to learn from you. I hope as you move forward you will utilize your school counselor as a resource in incorporating social skills in your curriculum. We really do work hard behind the scenes for students and you will find a lot of us would like to work collaboratively with you to match a guidance topic with your curriculum. For example, a lesson on the role of rules in society can be matched with Civics and Economics and the development of laws.
I have been encouraged by how open everyone has been. It is not easy to be vulnerable and revealing, but we have very quickly made a safe place to be ourselves while revealing our "self" is a work in progress.
Nancy, I celebrate your willingness to go out there and spread the message without waiting for someone to say it is okay.
I live by the ask for forgiveness not permission mantra myself.
Jewel, after the first class I googled Dr. G at the suggestion of another classmate and I knew there was no way I would be bored. Thank goodness for that.
okay Honestly I am going to bed after I post this last link. I don't think I have stayed up this late since my son was born.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pbs.org/race/005_MeMyRaceAndI/005_00-home.htm
Check out the slideshow menu and I really like the question posed under the second photo.. if we stopped acknowledging race would racism go away?
I went back and read my first entry, and I have to laugh at myself. I was so excited about the class and yet so caught up with my ideas that so many people had issues with social identities, and yet I didn't. I thought that here I was about to take a class that patted me on the back for doing the right things already and letting me know how I could spread my wisdom on how to acceptance differences. I was so sure I was the better person working toward a solution - I never once thought to see my self as part of the problem, and that was my problem...I wasn't truly seeing anything as it was. Dr. G pulled the rug from under my feet and the wool from my eyes. I have awareness glasses now that help me see difference with 20/20 vision in order to act and make changes happen. Thank goodness this class was required as Hannah mentioned. I might have taken it, but mostly likely I would have passed over it thinking that it couldn't teach me anything I didn't know.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I have definitely learned from this class is not to be satisified with what I think I know or understand. I need to make sure that there aren't any holes or gaps in my understanding. I need to push up against the buildings of my learning and see if they are solidly founded of more like houses of cards. I can tell you that the garden that has been constructed as a result of this class has walkways paved with brick. There are no walls, but there are specific paths that can guide me through it, and yet I know that if I want to make sure something grows and thrives, I am going to have to get into the beds and work, but that the path will always lead me to where I need to do work.
Thanks for helping to water my newest garden of knowledge guys! As classmates you have helped to practically expand my experience of this information, you have made a great difference in my progress through this course. You are all greatly appreciated for your participation and providing me with another point of reference. It wouldn't have been the same without you!
I along with a host of others googled Dr. G. I thought Okay this is going to be an energetic class about being multiculturally aware. I came into class thinking I "had already done this".
ReplyDeleteBut once we started some of the readings I thought that the purpose of the class was to make me feel "guilty" or bad or responsible. The greatest thing this class taught me is that I haven't "figured" things out yet. I put down the backpack article because it was abrasive and I thought Dr. G. wanted me to feel bad for being white middle class. But when I spent time thinking about it I realized stuff that I didnt know. The idea or letting stuff "mull over" in my mind is something I am learning. Critically reflecting is something I value now. I have been static for way too long.
I was touched and inspired by classmates. People have been open and vulnerable, honest, funny and non judgemental. That has been so nice to see. I am so happy this was one of my first teaching classes because I feel like it will shape my participation in future methods courses. I really wish there was a reunion- say 5 years down the road...where we could say- How effective have you been incorporating social justice into your teaching and counseling? What obstacles have you faced? etc etc. I expect a refresher will definately be in order for me.
I have concrete ideas and have embraced the notion that I should let things "stew" in my mind, when they dont make sense. I love the format of the class, the broad range of current material. I was nervous about "turning to your partner etc- but the constant use of engagement is awesome, it makes you say your opinion and helps you feel more open with the class.
Things I loved most- sharing of secret identities, the back pack article, the video of the school in harlem, and the introspection that people have shared. I learned that I should continue to reflect and mull. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher- but this class made me dream of something bigger.
I will not forget this class or the bridge it built in my mind.
With all the pre-class Googling of me, I discovered that there are clearly some internet stalkers in here! LOL
ReplyDeleteI wanted to pose one more question for folks to possibly address: What are some of your thoughts/reactions/suggestions regarding the use of the blog for this course?
Blogging for this course has been my first experience with blogging. I have enjoyed reading everyone's responses and getting to hear the things that people did not get a chance to say in class. What a great chance for people to take time to formulate their thoughts before they put them out there.
ReplyDeleteI think its funny how many of us emphasized the fact that this class was a requirement for us. I wrote that in my first entry and I had initially said how nervous I was about the class and its implications on "Diversity". Somehow I think "Diversity" classes, named in that way, are avoided by many students because we dont want to have to hear over and over again that there are other types of students, lets be aware and all that.... BUT this class took a totally different approach.
ReplyDeleteI think that after being outside of the classroom, as a student, for so many years, we now can have trouble just sitting down and reading and regurgitating the information that we were assigned. Dr. Greenfield's class, with his own teaching methods and reflective assignments has made me want to learn ABOUT the information and not just LEARN the information.
If that makes sense.....
In terms of the blogging. .. I have never had to use a blog for any other class before and although sometimes I was uninspired, I think it worked.
When you sit down to write your post its almost like you can just "TALK". It is similar to the exercise where we talk and the other person just listens. No one can interupt me and I can try to explain whatever I want to say in reference to the topics that we are focusing on. I really liked the opportunity to read other people's comments and see the sharing that can occur in this medium and the ability to hear from students that you may not hear from inside of the classroom. A good idea for our own classes too.....
I think the blog has been an asset for learning. Initially, I felt a little intimidated by the blog, writing my viewpoints and feelings openly for anyone to read. I felt like it was one thing to say something, but another to write is down to become part of a written history! At first it seemed like a one-sided conversation with no body language, facial expressions or instant responses. But as we began sharing entries on the blogs, I realized that it was a unique opportunity for me to express myself and examine various viewpoints sometimes different from my own to expand my knowledge about myself. It gives each of us a chance to be heard and receive feedback. There were twenty-some facilitators in this course! I think we have had a first hand positive experience with Nieto’s five principles of learning in class and within the blog.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started this course, I was afraid, quite frankly. I've always been the type of student who likes the type of material that lends itself to concrete answers (ironic, considering I want to teach English!). When I learned that this class was more about questions than answers, I didn't know how I'd do with the material. Reflecting on it now, it really has been one of the most enlightening courses I've ever had. As I told one of my classmates once during class, it's really broadened my field of vision. I'm not going to lie and say that this class erased every prejudce or bias that I have, but it certainly made me better equipped to recognize those biases and pick away at them. I really feel like, prior to this class, I had little peripheral vision in terms of oppression and social justice issues. While I considered myself to be sensitive to issues like racism and heterosexism, I realize now that that awareness was extremely superficial. In essence, I'm able to "see" more now than I used to. This class, too, has taught me the importance of questioning the status quo, and societal norms, especially considering that the concept of "the norm" is usually an oppressive one. In fact, I now question the use of the word normal whenever I use it or hear others using it. I'm leaving this class with a newfound comfort about questioning things and a comfort with not always knowing the answer. I've learned that questioning is integral to progress when it comes to developing into a social justice educator.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I'd like to thank everyone for making this class one in which I was comfortable participating. I've usually been a quiet student who was most comfortable expressing her views through her assignments, but I truly enjoyed our class dynamic. You all really made me laugh, question what I thought I knew, and I truly learned so much from everyone.
In terms of the blog, I loved it. It allowed me time to really reflect on my own beliefs and it allowed me time to process our class material and discussions. It was also extremely comforting to read that others were going through the exact same emotions and frustrations as I during certain parts of the course. It really helped to reinforce and build upon the sense of community that was already established in the classroom, I think. And, as I said before, it was yet another way for me to learn from my classmates, which I consider SO important.
I have enjoyed blogging because it allowed an opportunity to process things that were said in class and then respond to them in a more thoughtful, broad manner. I think every class should have a blog as I believe it allows students to share personal experiences that they are unable to share in class due to, mostly, time constraints. Also, there are those of us who express ourselves much better in writing than speaking, and it helps us be able to contribute coherently - and this I appreciate immensely!
ReplyDeleteIt would, however, have been nice if we had been able to blog about topics not covered in class (religion). I was REALLY looking forward to exploring religion in this class... so maybe an idea for another class that is extremely limited time wise is to use the blog for supplemental information/forums.
What struck me most when I looked at my first post was my use of "may," as in "a deeper understanding of what privileged and disadvantaged backgrounds students come from may help me." Now I understand how much it will help me, in everything I do in the classroom and outside, everyday.
ReplyDeleteI also have a better understanding of the deep-set prejudices in myself, and am aware of ones I didn't know I had before. It wasn't a pleasant process, but I am grateful to have gone through it.
I also look back at my high school career and now see how lucky I was to be born into a family with the "right" social capital to do well in that environment, and how segregated my school really was. I was in classes almost entirely composed of Asians and Whites (about equally Jewish and Christian whites), and only after taking this class have I looked more closely at that and been able to see that my school's make-up wasn't mostly Asian - it was just the classes I was in, and all the other cultured students were in the lower tracks.
While I've have many several multicultural/religion classes, this one definitely stands out as unique, and I think I gained the most from this class over all those others. I wish we could have spent more time on the topics presented by the group presenters, and wish this class had been offered during a normal semester period so we could get even more out of it.
And that should have been "While I've *had*" in that last paragraph.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Megan - I'd actually be thrilled to take it again - or an extension of it? in the Fall or Spring just to keep the process going.
ReplyDeleteI, like Jewel was intimidated by the blog. I had never been required to blog as a part of a class before now. I still don't know if I like the blog for myself or not. I would like there to be an anonymous option. I think that I still feel hindered to speak my mind because my names pops up with every post. I am still afraid that people will judge my comments and say, "what the hell is she thinking." Instead of taking time to really think about what I wanted to say on the blog I was thinking oh shit I have to blog again. But in retrospect is has been good I have had to over come my insecurities about going back to school and sharing my thoughts with my classmates. If it wasn't for the blog I might not have been able to share anything. As it was in class it wasn't until last week that I really started to speak up in class.
ReplyDeleteKaren-you brought up a good point about being able to blog about topics not covered in class. I can only imagine what would have come out if we did discuss religion on the blog.
Looking back on my first blog entry I stated I was uncomfortable talking about these issues because of their complexity. Now, I am way more knowledgeable and way more comfortable talking about them. I think in part that is due to the openness of this class. I really appreciate how people truly shared themselves. Dr. Greenfield helped us helped us address these topics with all the activities that got us talking with each other one on one or in small groups. And the activity where we all shared a hidden identity was really powerful. Other classes in graduate school focus on strict academia and you feel like you have to have something profound to say in order to speak. But to me, this kind of setting, where you can inject yourself into your open thoughts, really opens up the door for higher level critical thinking. And this is the number one thing I want for my class, an environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable speaking up even if they aren't sure they are right.
ReplyDeleteAlong with being a great model for teaching, this class has also opened up my eyes to other perspectives. I was open to and aware of these issues before this class started but now I know we can always go further and learn more. And I know I still have a lot of perspective to gain.
As far as the blog goes, it has been a nice way to process information. I appreciate having both the verbal and written avenues for expression to accommodate our different styles. I personally, am more articulate when writing, sometimes. However, one classmate shared the thought that through the blog we can edit and filter our thoughts, so it may not be truly representative of how we think. This was when the blog first started, and I agreed. But as it has progressed, I've noticed people sharing their fears more and offering dissenting opinions.
My one problem with the blog is how big and overwhelming it is. Although people are responding back and forth, I would like more dialogue. Maybe an option would be to have one large group blog where we can see what everyone posts and then split us up into smaller groups for dialogue. Just a thought. Maybe that would be too much work.
I liked Karen's idea of using the blog for topics not covered in class.
ReplyDeleteWhile I enjoyed the blog I agree with Mariah. I felt that with so many people commenting in one thread, it's harder to have a conversation. It might be helpful to use a different blogging format, where people can reply to individual comments and it indents. However, I don't think blogspot allows that, so that may be more of a pipe dream. If everyone got an openID instead of using their email accounts to log in, several other weblog sites have the feature I'm thinking of.
Looking back over the first two posts for the blog, it's interesting to see how three weeks can make such a big difference! In my original blog post I mentioned that I hope to become a history professor in minority studies. Ever since our discussion on the implications of the term "minority," I haven't used that term once. One thing that has stuck out to me in class is the choice of language and terms for certain things in the realm of social justice. It has taught me to choose my words much more wisely!
ReplyDeleteOne issue I also addressed in my first blog was that we should get to know more about different cultures in and around Raleigh, which is what assignment two essentially did for us. I hope the experience was as powerful for everyone else as it was for me. Another thing that was unique about this class was that everyone was willing to share something. I guess you don't really have an abundance of shy people in a classroom full of teachers and future teachers :) It just goes to show how much we can learn from each other in deep discussions on controversial issues. I hope to take this knowledge into the classroom with me!
Im a fan of the blog as well. You had to respond to a question or idea, then put your thoughts down. It forced you to think, reflect and name your thoughts. I dont know if thirty people would be successful having a "conversation", so yes the scope has been big. However, I think so many good points were raised. So many ideas for teaching, and future discourse were raised. If the blog followed conversation format, it may have been more linear in focus but we would lack all the brainstorming and thought.
ReplyDeleteIt forced everyone in the class to communicate and say their thoughts and ideas. I found it an EASY way to learn peoples names. And I came away with ideas.Initially I was thinking it would be tough- but I eventually looked forward to reading it and hearing my classmates input. I would definately stress to future students the need to "interact" with other bloggers. Because as we comment and challenge eachother we raise new ideas and new thoughts that we can reflect on.
Jenny B I loved the mantra you shared. It made me say hmmmm. I have been waiting for permission alot in my life. That was something I really will remember. You have said some very intelligent things in class. I have always been impressed by your input.
Em I agree about being comfortable questioning things. I will never forget that you got me started when we were sharing the first few nights of class. You came across as so smart to me and we shared different views. I left that night thinking hmmmmm.
Mariah I learned from your little act of tearing a scrap piece of paper in half. You didnt want to waste paper. It was a very small gesture. But it resonated with me.
Nancy your post was inspiring. I hope that I go into teaching not worried about SJ but expecting it. I hope that all the little things that we all do will have a great impact.
The blog has been great.
I was just reading everyone's posts and noticed that a lot of folks commented on the class structure and activities. Let me just say that this was the first 3-hour-per-session class I've ever taken, and I was terrified going into it that I just wouldn't be able to handle that much time in a tiny classroom chair. Jo and Stacy, I agree with you. The myriad activities and partner-work were wonderful, at least for me. They allowed me to have more of a two-way "conversation" with a partner or two about my own obstacles and opinions (and get to hear theirs, as well). I think that practice will really come in handy, as idea-exchange outside of the classroom setting usually -is- via conversation and NOT lecture or powerpoint presentation. :) I never thought three hours could fly by so quickly in a classroom...or should I say laboratory...I feel like the entire course tested us to experiment with our own ideas and biases and work towards self-discovery.
ReplyDeleteIn my first blog, I said I hope the class provides me with practical knowledge. This class has helped me learn the practicality of the society and has made social justice not only practical but also part of my life.
ReplyDeleteI think what I really got out of this class was to speak up for myself and other unjust things I might see. It has confirmed that its ok to be who we are and we should be happy to be who we are. It's ok to bring in everyone's culture into a salad bowl instead of just melting in. This class also brought into reality that everyone's different and many types of oppressions exist through the examples given by you guys and Dr. Greenfield. Those have been really helpful!
I still think a Social Justice/Diversity class should be required for high school or undergraduate students. So, Dr. Greenfield and the rest of you, thank you for making this one of the best classes I've ever had! Dr. Greenfield, you not only teach Social Justice, you live by it and have taught us how to live by it as well!
I feel like I belong to a Social Justice family and I wish this class/process/meetings could continue somehow!
Oh, about the blog, I've never been much of a writer or a blogger. But I liked blogging in this class. The topics and the class environment let us be as open as we wanted or as private as we wanted. I think almost everyone in the class got farther in the class because of the blog. We learned in class about Social Justice but the blog made us think! The thinking made this class and the blog really effective!
ReplyDeleteHow much can a person change in a day?
ReplyDeleteA week?
A month?
Apparently, quite a bit.
And if I have changed the way I think I have, the changes will continue.
I look back on my initial thoughts about the class before it began. I admit I started out with an attitude of, "I value diversity" "I'm not a racist" "I understand what is important about multi-cultural education." I was casual in approach to this class, and it's just painful to admit that. OK, those statements were true, and remain true - and is now not enough.
Honestly, I think now that I *know*, I cannot be the same person I was. As I continue to learn and experience more in the illumination of this awareness, how can I be the same person? Because I want to be a good person and I want to be a good teacher...what it meant to be those things a few weeks ago is no longer true. I don't think I can have the last few weeks happen and continue on as before still calling myself a good person and believing I can be a good teacher unless I take the challenge to not blind myself to the truth of social justice education.
I sound like a convert.
I am.
The turning point for me was the experiencing of true, uncomfortable and trapped "other." I was open-minded, excited, interested before that assignment....But that experience cannot be equalled for me. It was a pivotal moment in my development as a teacher and as a parent and as a human being. Dr. G, if you change anything about this course DON'T CHANGE THAT!!!
When I look back to the first couple days of class, and I look back on the "fear factor," I think this fear was important to experience will be important as I grow. (I realize I have made this all about me, but at this point, that's just where I am...) I am still afraid, but this is a healthy fear. It's the kind of fear that accepts inevitable failure and will keep me sharp as I learn to deal with that failure as a learning experience for me and for my students, and my own children...
I can never ignore my blind spots again because my eyes have been opened. I think that I know what I don't know now and better yet have a tool kit of resources to find some of the answers that I currently lack. Like many others have stated - I thought this class was going to be about celebrating diversity and inclusion, not a class that would change my world view and inspire me to become a better person. Like many of us I have been away from academia for quite a while and this class has affirmed the best aspects of learning - it has challenged my way orf thinking, has exposed me to concepts and realities that I didn't know existed and has inspired me to continue my learning and development in social justice.
ReplyDeleteI think one measure of your engagement in a class/course is how much you voluntarily discuss concepts you have learned outside of class. I get home at night after a class and my girlfriend who is a 4th grade teacher wants a complete summary of the 2 1/2 hours. She has read some of our text, several of the articles, watched the videos used in the presentations and we have spoken for hours about how we can both infuse or teaching with SJ. Partly because of this class we will both be volunteering at a community center in a low income neighborhood in Raleigh the rest of the summer.
Needless to say I have enjoyed the structure of the class and the discussions we have shared in and out of class. Thanks to everyone for sharing and teaching me more about life.
I most say that this course has been the one of my favorites out of my entire college career. Everyone was engaged and everyone had something to contribute. It wasn't the typical class where the professor lectures and we all just sit and pray for class to be over. For some strange reason when you’re having fun time seems to fly by and it certainly did in this class.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot about myself and what I hope to accomplish in the future. I learned that just because I am minority I am not always the victim. That there are ways in which I contribute to the oppression that some people may face. I heard the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" before but that saying didn't really have any meaning until I entered this classroom. I assumed everyone was the same, by that I mean everyone who was white all lived in nice neighborhoods and didn't have the same worries as me. That was my ignorance. It was surprising and eye opening to witness that everyone in the class were more alike than different in many ways. We all have baggage that we carry for whatever reason and we all can relate to being in a position where we felt like the "other". I learned when you make assumptions you make an a** out of yourself!
I hope to use everything I learned in this class to benefit my students. No one is perfect but I hope this class gives me an edge over everyone else :)
As for the blog: I think the reason why it worked, like Dr. Greenfield mentioned, was because it was a lot of self reflection. It was more internal, we had the opportunity to open up and share how we felt with others. There were a lot of topics that at times could have been uncomfortable to discuss in class, we had another outlet to express our feelings through the blog. So for this class the blog worked.
I have three blogs of my own, which I used to update on a regular if not daily basis. This blog stole my attention away from them. I may have written two entries for them since the beginning of our class blog - it has been more interesting and meaningful. I agree with the opinions about how we could split apart certain conversations, that would be handy, but I also like that I have to read everything that everyone says as a captive audience when it is structured just as it is. There are wonderful hidden nuggets in even the responses to someone else's comment that I would miss if it were split apart.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog. I think it would have been nice to discuss other topics that were not mentioned in class. What I love most about this blog is getting to hear from people that sit across the room from me, people who I don't get to talk to directly unless we move around the room, and people who don't speak out in class. If we didn't have this blog, I don't think I would feel as connected to everyone as I do. I would feel connected to the people from my presentation group and those that sit in my general vicinity, but I would miss out on other people's voices.
I almost want to recommend that in the future, Dr. G should make people get a new seat every class, or every other class, so that we are constantly changing who we interact with when we have to turn to a partner. Otherwise, you start to get comfortable with what you know about the people around you and the discomfort of opening up to a new person each time you open up is not experienced.
This class also needs to be for a full semester. I would love to take it again in the future as a refresher course. Honestly, hahaha, I want to stalk Dr. G to Shaw and take one of his other courses offered there. Maybe one day.
I totally agree with Courtney about Dr. G telling us to pick a new seat every day. I tried to do that a little bit, but sometimes I worry about sending the wrong impression when I change seats. I also agree with Karen that I wish we could have addressed religion or other topics not covered in class on the blog. Religion can definitely be a serious form of oppression that I feel we left out. I guess I'll have to read the chapter in the book!
ReplyDeleteI think diversity/multicultural/social justice courses are always interesting. This class however has been the most hands on and most energetic I have participated in. I appreciate that tremendously. I have heard comments in the past like, "how can a [white guy] teach a course on diversity?" I think Dr. Greenfield has answered that question in this course. It has also been interesting to hear a different perspective, one from a sociology background vs. the typical psychology/counseling background. I think these diverging positions offer critical insight that may otherwise be overlooked if only gazing at the issues from one discipline. When I entered the course, I, from a psychology,counseling background, attempted to individualize the issues thus overlooking the larger societal issues that are quite prevalent. Dr. Greenfield, I must say, was patient in helping to broaded my scope. As he said last night...(to paraphrase) "there is your truth (perspective), my truth (perspective) and the real truth." I think this is where I am moving toward now. I do think as Nieto (1999) demonstrates, teachers' beliefs and behaviors contribute to their own and societies issues. I also believe that it is society, at large, that contributes to these inequalities. As Nieto (1999) states, we are constructing culture as it constructs us (paraphrase).
ReplyDeleteAs for counselors, I have proposed to colleagues numerous times over the years for mandatory CEUs in multiculturalism (just as in Ethics), as a result of the growing diverse populations we encounter. I think an equivalent proposal is in order for teachers as well. While I think academic achievement can be increase in many ways, I do believe that fostering a sense of community in the classroom where students can feel comfortable being who their culture has shaped them to be(additive), can be enormously valuable in increasing students capital and success in life.
Santhiya--I agree with you as well as many others in the class regarding the blog. I must say that I have been more into this blog than I have been in the past. I found myself checking out comments numerous times throughout the day. I also think this is a great resource to discuss issues of diversity and social justice. It provides a safe environment without time constraints to comment and respond.
ReplyDeleteArticles good, book bad.
ReplyDeleteBlog real good, stomach virus, real bad.
Pizza excellent, the hell with stomach virus.
See you all tonight.
I don't really know what I thought about this course coming into other than dreading the fact of 2 and a half hours 3 nights a week for a few weeks. Not that I was not interested in the material, but I don't usually pay attention very well in 50 minute classes so 150 minute classes seemed a bit much. However, after the first class I was glad that their seemed to be a lot of interaction and actually started to look forward to coming to class.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how my feelings have changed since the first class. I feel I have always been open minded and excepting of people, but I guess I now know that I should also examine myself and what I have more than just looking at others. I tend to agree with Charley about not really liking the book. I guess I just don't feel like it was written for someone like me. I am still bothered by the whole term "oppressor", but not as much as I was. I realized they are not really singling me out, even though at first it felt like it.
Also, I have become more accepting of the idea of social justice. Not that I was really against it in the first place, but I was against the idea of having all these open discussions about issues. Now I realize you can do it without just having an open forum. I will make the best attempt I can to have an open classroom with a level playing field for everyone, but I don't plan to have daily discussions about same sex marriage or religion or other topics.
I do know that I have my biases, but I will do my best to keep those to myself, as I know everyone else has them and it does not make me or them a bad person. But I will strive to implement social justice education as much as I can in my classroom, because I think everyone should have an equal chance to learn and pursue what they want.
As far as the blog goes, it was fun to read and see others ideas, but when I would do a post and it just disappear, I did not like it so much. Other than that, I think it proved to be a useful tool for people to get their opinions out there, as even though class was 2.5 hours a night, it was not near enough time for everyone to have their voice heard.
This class has given me so much more than I was expecting. Like many of you, I had thought that I was fairly self-aware and open to others positions. But reading and discussing oppression has been so powerful. I had never really thought of oppression beyond a general, abstract concept. This class revealed the pervasive and institutional manifestations of oppression that I have been unwittingly participating in. Realizing the way injustice is woven into the organizations and systems that I have always implicitly trusted was and still is deeply unsettling. However, at the end of the progression of the class, I am ready to continue developing my critical understanding of society that was introduced in the various readings. I am still a little scared, but I now see that not continuing would put me in a position towards social justice that I don't want to stay in.
ReplyDeleteI feel so much better about entering the classroom. I have always been excited to become a teacher and share my own value for education and multiplicity with young students. But I was nervous about how to best share those kind larger ideas with them. After this class, even though I am even more aware of the immensity of what I don't know, I feel better about entering the classroom as an imperfect person. And I am looking forward to learning from my students the same way that I have learned so much from my fellow students in this class.
I really enjoyed the reading, presentations, discussions and blog. As much as I enjoyed the discussions, I am sorry that I didn't participate as much. I have always been more of a listener, and I never questioned that position until this class made me think about what experiences taught me silence as my natural state. I am hoping to challenge that in myself as I also challenge societal institutions.
My only real regret is my lack of time. This is my first semester back in school, and given the shortness of summer session, I spent most of this course just trying to get my schedule of working full-time and taking two classes under control. So I wasn't able to take full advantage of the blog, or take the time to read as closely as I would have liked. But one thing I love about the blog is that it will still be here, and I can take the few days before the next semester to really read everything written. That was really the most valuable and enjoyable aspect of this class, the permanence and pervasiveness of the work we did.
I realize my post is a little late, however my blog got deleted three different times when I initially tried and I became so frustrated I figured it was in my best interest and the interest of my computer if I took a break for a while, and came back later!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading several of blogs, I am going out on limb here to say that I believe our class as a whole learned a lot in a short amount of time! In all honesty, this class has been very challenging for me, due to the fact of where and how I was raised and the beliefs I was taught, because some of the things we talked about did not match up the way I was raised. As many of you have mentioned, I am worried about saying something wrong and offending someone (which Dr. Greenfield has made perfectly clear IS going to happen). Now I just hope I can take what I have learned and use it to a point where it becomes natural and I won’t have that worry.
Am I where I want to be ultimately? Of course not: it's a process, not a product. Have I reached the social justice level? If I am to answer honestly, no. But this journey, thus far, has been so rewarding, so why should I stop now?
ReplyDeleteIf I can pinpoint the biggest step I have made in the past few weeks, I would simply sum it up by saying "awareness." Even working with very young, very white children as I do, lately I have been finding myself going through our classroom books to determine how inclusive they are. While reading a classroom favorite this afternoon, I changed a male animal character to a female. Of course the kids picked up on it immediately, but, after discussion, we decided it didn't change the story at all to make the piglet a girl.
It's a baby step, and I realize a lot of my movements on the way to social justice will be baby steps. And, you know, I almost don't want to get there too fast, because the journey thus far has been simply lovely.
The first two weeks of class I dreaded b/c I was teaching, and I was hard-pressed to wrap up the year, review for the dreaded End-of-Course Exam (EOC), and then handle all those kids who failed the d--- thing, but I can say that from the first night I really enjoyed the class. The time flew by. I do wish I'd had more time to really read the materials we were given instead of just skimming, but I caught the gist of them, and they opened my eyes, especially when it comes to how I've been teaching. Back when I first began teaching history (1976), once in a while someone would come out with a critique of our trade, and we would label it "revisionist history," e.g., Dick Gregory's "No More Lies." Now, for the first time, I am able to see that Gregory, like many others, was just practicing social justice in the writing of history, i.e., writing it from the perspective of those not in power, questioning why certain myths were created and have been perpetuated, informing us of certain events that did happen that have been ignored or forgotten, and questioning why, all in an effort to set the record straight and give all of us the real history of all of us so that all of us can deal with it, good or bad, for the benefit of all of us. I just wish I had a few more months to prepare before classes start again. I am looking forward to helping my students discover their real history.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, despite the many times I posted and the posts disappeared, I like the darn thing. I think it would be very interesting if we did not just leave this up, but post some different topics. There is nothing that says we have to stop just because the class is over, because frankly, this class was not long enough. we covered a ton of material, but this stuff needs time to soak in, and frankly, most presenting groups understood rapidly that there is just NO WAY to cover this material in such a short time frame...
ReplyDeleteNot enough string, not enough time
ReplyDeleteThis has been a heartwarming experience. Everyone in this class has shown what wonderful contributions they will make in our society. I feel privileged to have been part of such a caring and insightful group of people. Thank you Dr.Greenfield for being an outstanding facilitator! This class gives me hope for the future because I know that we are all out there striving for social justice one step at a time.
ReplyDelete“One good ride from start to end, I'd like to take that ride again...” Robert Hunter
I'm so sorry I missed the last class with you guys, but I know this won't be the last we will see/hear from each other. I think this group has been able to find a wonderful bond with each other that will hopefully create a great support system in the future as we leave this class and become professionals. I want to thank all of you for the opportunities you've shown me while in class, and for opening my eyes to new ways to think and new ideas to think about. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet all of you, and thank you, Dr. Greenfield, for starting the flames that have turned to fires and for beginning all of our paths to promoting social justice in our lives.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, everybody!
Hannah Hamer
I was watching South Park last night. I know some of you might be thinking that is a very offensive show. But it deals with topics that most people don't want to talk about. In the episode last night they talked about one of the boys being "bicurious". I had never heard that word before and it wasn't mentioned in class. I thought that I would put it out there to see what you think about it. I liked it because it took the sex out of the orientation. I suppose it could lead to being that they are not made that way and that is only a phase or they can just choose one type of person (this was also addressed in South Park episode). The term made me think more about the person than who they have sex with.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to mention some support to a few ideas that were listed above. I liked Courtneys suggestion about moving our seats around. The physical organization in a classroom is always a big issue, and as Dr. Greenfield said, initially he wanted us in a circle. But by forcing us to mix up our seats a bit, it would have encouraged a new sense of diversity and also outlooks.
ReplyDeleteI moved from the far, far left side of the room to the far, far right side by the end of the 3 weeks and I think that there is something to be said about that. When I first came to the class, I sat down in the closest seat to the door. I think if you look at it it shows how the comfort level truly increased over the time and then I didnt need to be sitting so close to the door, ready to bolt if needed!
ANYWAY, I also want to be sure to do a rotation in my classroom, so that if we have to sit in a certain arrangement, like the rows then each kid will get to change seats and have an opportunity to sit in the front and back and middle.
I am totally getting off topic.
Additionally, I agree wiht Charley's point that I did not get to read the book as closely as I would have liked. With all the work I had going on in the past month, I know I learned things but I WISH I had the time to read every word of them. Maybe I'll have to take "Teaching Social Justice" To the beach with me....:)
Thank you class, for your ideas and willingness to share and thank you Dr. Greenfield, for the same.
This course was an addtional supplement to my journey of teaching. IN NCTEACH I only had to opportunity to experience Dr. Greenfield's learning about diversity for one night for a very crowded class. I was glad to see the other versions of this in ED 508.
ReplyDeleteOne of our objectives in the CED to to be scholarly. I think this course was a part of that journey. When we learn about other cultures whether foreign or domestic, we continue to be scholarly. I would ask that all teachers never be afraid to ask questions. We as teachers are very used to answering them but we also need to ask them. It is when we ask that we also learn.
I like the use of the blog. I like our names being attached - I don't think you should "hide" behind how you feel nor do I think you should be attacked for how you feel. I really think we are all learning and growing and that does not ever end - we should be learning forever.
ReplyDeleteI hope to incorporate the use of a blog should I make the transition to counselor educator. I like the idea of using the blog to discuss topics/ideas not covered in class.
Hey guys, I just wanted to post the link to my final project...if you want to check it out feel free and spread the word!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KyQeIFp7p0
Megan,
ReplyDeleteNice job on your final project. Very impressive use of technology.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your final project, Megan. I think it is great!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys!
ReplyDeleteMegan - loved your project! I'm very impressed! :)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share this with you - if any of you are still here. It's called the Neutral Man's Burden - Stephen Colbert I know you can find it at http://www.comedycentral.com/
ReplyDelete