I have decided that in my situation - that is, in the situation of a multiracial girl - there isn’t a eureka moment when it comes to understanding the need for diversity. At least in the realm of racial diversity, I have understood from a young age why it is important, and the understanding of the necessity of other forms of diversity developed has developed in me over time. I am Mestiza, and I have lived my life around both people of color and white people, atheists, Jews, Catholics, able-bodied and neurologically typical people as well as relatives with debilitating mental and physical ailments. I have multiple people in my family who have gone or are going to medical school, but also relatives who never got any sort of degree. That does …show more content…
It was not a time when I suddenly understood why diversity was needed, but a time when I can remember thinking “that wouldn’t have happened if our school was more diverse.” At the time, I was in our college counselor’s office with four other students: a white girl, the only two black girls in the high school - and the only two people in the room who I considered friends - and a boy whose comments are generally thought of as insensitive and ignorant. We were sitting around and enjoying the surprisingly light workload that day, talking about college and admissions essays, and then we stumbled upon the topic of race. I don’t recall what was said up to this point, but I remember laughter and one of my friends yelling at me “No! You’re white.” I was shocked even though she, and other supposed friends at school, have told me this multiple times before. What made it more baffling was that she was constantly pointing out social problems, specifically surrounding race and diversity, and yet there she was, attempting to invalidate my identity. The worst part was that the boy in the room was really enjoying the scene, joining in, and she didn’t pause to think about what that meant, what it meant that someone who she thought was totally amoral was agreeing with what she was
“Why don’t we have “White history Month?” Because white history month is every month other than February. The culture of power determines which version of history is told and retold.” Mr. Hanson, my high school social studies teacher always told us, “The winners get to decide how history is told.” I mean, prior to the Women’s Rights Movement, women were stuck in the home while men went to work and supported them, but then women were liberated and able to get jobs working outside of the home, right?
According to another author from Business NH Magazine, Brenda Lett, she states “We are held back, and hold ourselves back, by deciding not to work collectively to address the lie of superiority and inferiority based on skin color.” (Mowry 61). Students race matters. If people did not notice about their race, is like pretending not to see the consequences for this students. They knew that they are “the other” before they were called “the other”.
Gary R. Howard’s “We Can’t Teach What We Don’t Know” offers an insightful look into multicultural education and the ways in which white educators can, and should, consider the diversity within their classrooms as a necessary part of the learning process. Although an admittedly difficult topic, the author strives to help the reader understand the problem of diversity in our schools and the ways in which our approach to educating multiracial students can help or hinder students. This report seeks to provide an overall review of the book and a discussion of the positive and negative aspects of the opinions presented. Book Synopsis
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is this nation’s oldest and most influential civil rights based organization in the United States. It was originally founded under the name of the National Negro Committee (NNC) on May 31st, 1909 by a group of black activist, white progressives, Jews, etc. in response to the Springfield Race Riots in 1908 and for the ongoing inhumane practice of lynching. The NNC came together to discuss not only the deteriorating status of the African Americans but also the social, economic, civil rights, and political rights of African Americans too. By May 1910, the National Negro Committee would go by the name of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The diversity that may be found all around the world and in our very community has always fascinated me. I am aware that it is a widely held belief that being a minority is considered a disadvantage in various aspects and I would disagree with this. Diversity and culture is a two-way street- as a community, whether that be society as a whole or simply a freshman class, we have the potential to be able to learn from each other. I believe that my status as an underrepresented minority has shaped me into the person I am today. Despite moving to the United States at a young age and being a first-generation college student , I am grateful for the privilege to be able to further my education at the University of Utah.
Jonathan Rothenberg Philosophy 170 How Is Race Perceived? The fundamental difference between racialist race, socialrace, and minimalist race lies in the distinct variations in the areas of biology, social construction, and scientific elements. When we reflect on the concept and phenomenon of race, many questions come to mind.
I was unable to identify with a social class and felt at a loss of identity and culture. Although at the time, I felt confused and bitter for attending a high school with no diversity in the student body, today, I believe that my first-hand experiences of discrimination and prejudice have compelled me to change how race is viewed in this country. My hard work in school has lead me to attend a top research university, University of California Davis, where I major in Microbiology with a minor in Religious Studies, and plan to pursue a career that will allow me to create more racial tolerance in
The exercise we began class with truly opened my eyes to how much I focus on race in both a positive and negative way. I characterize my self as black and Dominican, both groups that have been oppressed by the majority, but by doing so I feel great pride and face adversity. Associating one trait with both the extremes of most problem and one with which I encounter a lot of problems exists as strange. I believe the pride comes from overcoming the adversity and achieving the unthinkable against all odds. Here at UVA, I exist in two of the smallest ethnic groups on grounds.
Celebrating a Diversity day in our Committee can be very important. It can bring us together as a committee. A few reasons why it could benefit our committee is that it can teach people about different cultures around the world. It can bring us together for one day without any conflict. It can solve conflict.
That experience really shaped my racial identity, because if I was “too white” for people like me, I assumed I was white. My high school was a very diverse school, and people did not really pay attention to race. It was never an issue that had to be brought up in my friend group, or school community. I was
courses in college that have opened up my mind to the issue. The more information I learn about this issue, the more surprised I am that our society still exhibits bias, because as much as the United States preaches about equality, it appears as if society has segregation in minor ways. Although the debate between whether there are biased questions on the SATs or not seems to favor that there aren’t by popular opinions, there is still biased behavior occurring in school systems that prevent certain groups of students from getting the proper resources needed. Because I would like to work in an low-income area, which most likely would contain minorities, as a teacher I would make the effort to help those students get the sufficient help needed. This motivates me to become a part of the education field, because caring teachers are much needed in area like this.
Discussing the racism within diversity seems like a taboo topic nowadays. My group of friends reflect my need for diversity intellectually and racially. My friends often motivate me to take on new topics in regards to race. We take part in group discussions on topics that many people view as uncomfortable. Our topics have included transgender men and women, homophobia, women 's rights and even the problems in
Racial minorities and those who are born and raised in a lower socioeconomic environment often lack access to adequate healthcare, education, etc. which can affect the quality of their life and lifespan. Due to the lack of resources and opportunities experienced by minorities, they are more likely to experience the cycle of poverty (poor families remain impoverished for three or more generations). If a person is from a middle or upper class background it can definitely be assumed that they will live longer. Having a large or excessive amount of resources/money allows you to access/acquire the very best healthcare, nutritional coaches, food, etc.
I didn’t know that I was Black until the fifth grade. I mean, I always knew that I was Black as in the Black slash African American box I poorly shaded in every year on the CST and free lunch applications; but, I didn’t know know that I was Black. It was during a passing period I had between Physical Education and Science to pee that I realized what my race was. Like hundreds of times before, I entered the dimply sunlit restroom connected to the cafeteria of my elementary school; but, this time, instead of exiting the restroom, after washing my hands, I decided to look at my reflection.
Even when I answer the questions they still do not seem to understand. This is when I understood that people with one racial identity do not get what it is like to be mixed with more than one. It is like being mixed is a whole different kind of human. I often feel too “black” around white people, and too “white” around black people. I did not just fit into one category; I fit into