Delpit Blog

“I further suggest that it is the responsibility of the dominant group members to attempt to hear the other side of the issue; and after hearing, to speak in a modified voice that does not exclude the concerns of their minority colleagues.” (page 20)

The concerns of the minority are real and should not be ignored.  It is important to read the above quote and remember that every voice is important.  That each voice adds a unique ingredient into the stew that is the discussion.  I believe that we have habit of not really listening to one another.  We too often shake our heads in agreement and then move on in the same fashion, never incorporating the new information into our schema.  This happens in all facets of our society.  From boardrooms to bedrooms, imagine what would happen if the dominant members of society actually started incorporating what the minority has been suggesting?  We might have a society that is inclusionary and based on mutual respect.  Not going with the dominant flow, by listening (and truly hearing), and incorporating new ideas into the mainstream will make our culture change for the better.

Lisa Delpit’s book Other People’s Children makes me think that by heading into the classroom I will need to check my views at the door, keep my mind open and truly get to know my students.  I have learned that the constructivist view needs to be peppered with a little positivist view.  All children bring with them their various cultures and with that their various values.  Delpit wants us to consider the child, first and foremost, and then she wants us to teach that individual child.  The education system can not be a cookie cutter system.  All children do not wear the same size clothes, and they should not be forced through the same education process.

I just finished reading our chapters for art class and they seem very pertinent.  Poetry seems to be a great way to get children from various cultures writing.  I never thought of poetry as being particular easy but after reading Integrating the Arts I see how beneficial it can be.  I will definitely take that into my future classroom.  Delpit has also showed me that it is important to acknowledge the various cultures in my classroom, to learn about them, and not just teach to the dominant culture.  I like the examples she gives of having a “formal dinner party” and then a picnic were only informal language is used.  She shows that the teacher is still honoring the students culture but at the same time giving them tools to function within the dominant culture.  It is important to remember that these tools need to be taught.  We cannot not teach some of our students because we do not want to change them.  We need to understand them and let them use their voice but also teach them a voice that will gain them a foothold in the dominant culture.