Injustices of the Education System...

Multicultural Education (an education that is Multicultural) can be defined in many ways, which was shown in the Gay reading. In the reading, "A Synthesis of Scholarship in Multicultural Education", Gay provides a diverse array of definitions for Multicultural Education but I feel that there was one that stood out the most; "A philosophy that stresses the importance, legitimacy and vitality of ethnic and cultural diversity in shaping the lives of individuals, groups, and nations."

I feel that an education that is Multicultural is one that includes all demographics present in the classroom. No child being left behind or out and a space that is not only enriching but comforting. I find this to be nonexistent in the current NYC education and the places which it is, is definitely the exception to the rule.

If "Multicultural education is a process that permeates all aspects of school practices, policies and organization as a means to ensure the highest levels of academic achievement for all students (NAME)," then society must not want all to succeed. Reflect on your personal experiences K-12 and compare that to that of others and let me know if every teacher and school provided the daily Multi[cultural]-vitamins required for a healthy development. Inadequate learning environments, empathetic educators and lacking educational resources are the norm. If your reality was different consider yourself lucky.

A multicultural education "advocates the belief that students and their life histories and experiences should be placed at the center of the teaching and learning process and that pedagogy should occur in a context that is familiar to students and that addresses multiple ways of thinking," NAME says. This is a statement I firmly co-sign. I believe that an educator should internalize the lives of the constituents that it serves. In addition to that, a teacher should spread the truth rather than ignorance of history. Like that depicted in the Wu reading, where a teacher told her students a story of Thanksgiving and colonialism that was far from the truth. I believe children want to learn, children want to know the truth and anyone that doesn't follow this is an injustice to the education system.


Lean on Me, Inspirational Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWW4KogocfQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ1hKtYOx_c&feature=related
I feel that these youtube clips from the movie LEAN ON ME, depicts the effects of investing in ones students, embracing their struggles in society and paints a picture of an education system that rejects students based on the color of their skin and social class; showing the true essence of Multiculturalism.