The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies

The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies

Cassie Abatecola 

The article talks about a study where different groups consider their school and school curriculum. Minority group students, specifically Chicanos, feel that their history is not properly covered. Ethnic studies programs enable students to learn about Hispanic heritage while in school. For Chicano students, ethnic studies programs serve as a key incentive for them to go to school. They enjoy learning about their history and are more interested in school. 

This connects to the video "Precious Knowledge" that we watched in class. The video shows students embracing their Ethnic Studies classes. It also shows government officials passing legislation to eradicate the programs. The people who are heading the movement to ban the programs are mostly white members of the Board of Education who feel that the program is teaching anti-American ideas. As a result, the Ethnic Studies Program in Tucson, Arizona, was shut down.

If there was no ethnic studies, Chicano and other BIPOC students are not engaged. Students are more enthusiastic about learning what is relevant to them. What is relevant is learning about their own culture. It's something they live every day, so learning about it at school makes it the most interesting subject to them. It's sad that legislation has been created to prohibit the class that encourages these students to attend school and learn.

The Four I's of Oppression Cassie Abatecola

 The Four I's of Oppression Cassie Abatecola 

In my FNED 246 class, we were tasked with reading and watching a video on The-Four-Is-of-Oppression. The reading discusses how some social groups face oppression while others enjoy privilege. It's appalling that some people believe it is acceptable to treat others badly. Anyone could be dealing with struggles that are unknown to others. It's completely unacceptable to mistreat someone based on their thoughts, opinions, race, gender, or culture. We live in a world filled with hatred towards others, where people think it's acceptable to walk all over someone instead of helping them. People can be incredibly disrespectful, making others feel like they don't belong without giving them a chance to speak for themselves. Everyone comes from a different background and may have been raised differently from you. Why go out of your way to make someone's day worse? Instead, uplift others and make them smile. A positive comment could significantly impact someone's day. By understanding these forms, we can better spot and tackle systematic oppression to build a more inclusive society. These levels are linked, making oppressed groups feel open to judgment and ridicule. After reading this, I realized how overlooked the system of oppression is and decided I want to avoid it in my classroom at all costs.

"The Silenced Dialogue"

"The Silenced Dialogue"

I chose to write this blog about quotes that stuck out to me. 

 “Black children expect an authority figure to act with authority." 

Black students often hear demands from their parents, leading them to expect the same from their teachers, who are also authority figures. Due to their home life, the student interprets this as a genuine question, offering a choice of whether to sit down or not. The differing oral communication styles between races mean that white teachers tend to ask rhetorical questions, while black students, not raised with this practice, do not realize that such questions are intended as demands rather than choices.

"This sense of being cheated can be so strong that the student may be completely turned off to the education system"

It highlights that not only do student advocates become exhausted, but the students themselves also grow weary of being ignored. It also underscores how many children, even today, do not receive the necessary support. 

"Those with power are frequently least aware of its existence. Those with less power are often most aware of its existence"

This resistance can be both covert and overt. It's a part of the larger, seemingly insurmountable challenge of addressing all socioeconomic issues globally.

About Me Blog

 About the Writer 

 

                                                    

Hello! My name is Cassie Abatecola. I am a freshman at Rhode Island College, my major is elementary education with a minor in general science. I am really excited to become a teacher in the future, I have wanted to become a teacher since I was in fourth grade. I was inspired in fourth grade by my teacher and she made me realize how amazing it is to be a teacher.

“Privilege, Power and Difference” By Alan Johnson.

 

 “Privilege, Power and Difference” By Alan Johnson.

February 03, 2025

Our reading this week was: “Privilege, Power and Difference” By Alan Johnson. This reading about the differences people face, privilege and power people hold.

    The author's main argument is about recognizing and transforming our views on societal differences. He explains, "My purpose in this book is to articulate that understanding in ways that are clear and compelling and, above all, useful" (vii). The aim is for everyone to understand societal differences in a new light to create change. Additionally, the author states, "The purpose is to change how we think so that we can change how we act, and by changing how we participate in the world, become part of the complex dynamic through which the world itself will change" (viii). He stresses the importance of a new way of thinking to identify the root causes of societal issues. Everyone must take responsibility for social issues related to gender, race, social class, sexual orientation, etc., regardless of their perspective.

    The author seeks to raise awareness by acknowledging that everyone is part of the problem, no matter their race, gender, social class, sexual orientation, etc. Even those not directly affected by these issues contribute to the problem simply by the issue's existence. If certain groups didn't exist, there would be no one to be different from. For instance, if there were no white, straight, wealthy men, there would be no issue for black, gay, poor women, as there would be no basis for comparison, hence no conflict or indifference.

    In summary, the author’s main point is to encourage everyone to recognize societal issues and work toward change, no matter their position.

Some quotes that stood out to me were:

"Everything that’s done to receive or maintain it.... results in suffering and deprivation for someone."

Privilege comes at a cost, many people don't realize they are privileged.

"The existence of privilege and the lopsided distribution of power that keeps it going."

Many think that people being different is the problem, but they don't see how differences are a good thing and they only see it as a bad thing.

 “All of us are part of the problem. There is no way to avoid that as long as we live in the world. But we could also make ourselves part of the solution if only we knew how.”

This quote really adresses everything that Johnson was talking about.