Racism
"That's what this country should be. A place where people are
appreciated for who they are.” Jane Elliot Watching the video “a class divided” expose by Jane Elliott, a grade 3 teacher, you cannot but be deeply impressed and touched. She delivers such an impressive analysis of the reality of racist discrimination in the year 1968. Jane shows illustrious exercises, which considered participants as inferior or superior based of the color of their eyes. She also demonstrates how fast children can submit to intolerant activities. We live in a world where the colour of the skin shouldn't be a concern, but unfortunately we see that it still exists in our lives as well as in many different parts of the world. Through lessons and activities in the class, I think children learn about issues and events that are happening around the world and learn how to take action at the local level in order to see that their actions will consequently have an impact. As a teacher candidate I think is my responsibility to make sure that all students, regardless of race and colour, be treated equally and respectfully. It starts by creating inclusive, respectful, and equitable classrooms, where every student is welcomed and embraced. Colour and race can be taken into consideration only as identity and cultural background to enhance student’s education and success. Our classrooms are quite diverse and, consequently, literature and examples used have to be carefully chosen so that everybody can identify with themselves, and feel included. By creating inclusive classrooms, students learn how to respect and consider each other as individuals that have the same rights and opportunities in the society. They also learn that protecting the rights and taking a stand against racism shows that they are responsible citizens. |
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References:
Elliott, J. (1985, March). A class divided: The darling.[Video file] RetrievedSeptember 9,2013 ,from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/etc/view.html
Luther King, M.(1959).[Photograph]. Retrieved November 15, 2013, from
http://media.photobucket.com/user/CaramelCarmon/media/ad-1.jpg.html?filters[term]=martin
Elliott, J. (1985, March). A class divided: The darling.[Video file] RetrievedSeptember 9,2013 ,from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/etc/view.html
Luther King, M.(1959).[Photograph]. Retrieved November 15, 2013, from
http://media.photobucket.com/user/CaramelCarmon/media/ad-1.jpg.html?filters[term]=martin