Talking Points # 2

Richard Rodriguez
"Aria"

1. " The family's quiet was partly due to the fact that, as we children learned more and more English, we shared fewer and fewer words with our parents. " (37)

The english language really changed Richard's family-for the worst. There was no more bond between the family. It was such a struggle for the child to learn another language, and even more of a struggle for his parents. Its already tough trying to talk to your parents as a kid, I can't imagine trying it in a new language.

2. “What they seem not to recognize is that, as a socially disadvantaged child, I considered Spanish to be a private language. What I needed to learn in school was that I had the right-and the obligation-to speak the public language of los gringos.” (34)

This reminds me of the "culture of power". The English is what he had to learn because that is what the society expects. His spanish speaking ability is deemed as useless in America. No educator seemed to enforce the fact that it was great that Richard could speak another language. The nuns seemed angry with the family as well for not enforcing English at home.

3. " But the bilinguists simplistically scorn the value and neccessity of assimilation."(38)

Again educators are seeing this as a bad thing. The spanish speakers are going to gain something even more valuable by learning English. They are not going to lose the sense of who they are. It will help them assimilate easier into contemporary America.

I really enjoyed this article by Rodriguez. Anytime a story is told from the first person narrative it is very easy to connect with. You can just feel the raw emotion Rodriguez is writing about. This article brings more awareness to the table. By learning from others past experiences, America can better our system. It was tough to hear about how much the author's family struggled with the Enlgish Language. The educators at the school did not help at all and were not very compassionate. I believe this is the key point of the article. To be understanding and not diminish anyone person because they are different. If they have the ability to speak another language the teacher should encourage both.

I saw the connection with Delpit when the Culture of power was at work. The nuns completely disregarded his ability to speak Spanish because it was not how the classroom talked. It is surely a tough task to have bilingual students in the classroom but these teachers seem to not care. It is obvious that this misunderstanding is creating problems in the classroom. Agree , disagree ?

Talking Points # 1

Author : Peggy McIntosh
"White Privilege :Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack".

Quotes.
1. " As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage" ( page 1 ).

This quote from McIntosh is a great starting point to the article. I totally agree with this quote as well. It is very important to come to a realization that we (the white race) do get certain advantages. White people like to think that when they gain certain advantages it is because of how good of a job they have done. White people do not want to identify themselves as the white race. However, blacks and other races, know their race could potentially put them at a disadvantage.

2. " I can criticize our government and and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider" ( Page 3).

I could have put any of the 26 points McIntosh makes for my second quote. These points are important because they are points that white people take for granted. I believe this quote is especially important in this day and age. White people can get on the news and bash the government all they want. This is seen as they are just worried for the country. If someone of another race were to bash the government they are "racist" or just do not"fit in" with American culture.

3. "The pressure to avoid it is great, for in facing it I must give up the myth of meritocracy. If these things are not true, this is not such a free country ; one's life is not what one makes it; many doors open for certain people through no virtues of their own" (page4).

It is very easy to avoid the thought of a privilege exists for a certain individual. "All men are created equal", would be a fallacy. I believe this point directly corrects with Johnson. To fix the problem we have to acknowledge the problem and be the solution.

This article by Peggy McIntosh was probably my favorite so far. Very easy to read, without being biased and making white people seem evil. The article is more about coming to a realization that white people do get certain advantages, and some sort of change needs to happen. I really liked the 26 points she mentioned because it makes sense to me. These are things that happen on a day to day basis that most white people take for granted. I believe this text related the most to Johnson because it has a more postive feel to it and acknowledges the privilege issue in America, that is blind to most.

McIntosh talks about the system. The power systems need to be reconstructed. I propose a question to everyone. Most of these articles admit that there is a problem in America. But what is the solution? I do not know if it is just me but I feel that this problem is way bigger than any one person or even couple of hundred people. Each of us could be the solution in the classrom sparking minds, but what about on a nationwide scale? What is the solution to the problem?

My Intro To Let You Know

Welcome to my blog. My name is Evan Lancia and I am just starting my second year at RIC. I am a English Major ( Secondary ED). So far this semester is going pretty well. All my professors seem pretty cool so far. When I am not in class I am usually at work or playing basketball. I like music and movies. Die-hard LA Lakers fan. Hopefully Back to Back championships this year.

Later.