Reading Discussion #5

For this reading discussion I decided to talk about Finding Ways In: Community Based Perspectives on Southeast Asian Family Involvement with Schools in a New England State by Collignon, Men and Tan. My first observation is that they really need to shorten their title – it is way too long to type! I found this article to be an interesting read. I have known people how have just moved into a new state within the country and have some issues with adjusting nevermind moving to a whole new country. I can not imagine what that experience must be like. It does seem hard to leave behind old customs and ways and realize that you are in a new place with new customs, rules and opportunities. I can not even imagine what refugees go through in their journey. I am amazed at how many Southeast Asians have come to the United States in such a short time. Many come from homelands that were in military conflict, their education was cut short. Now to think they would try to work their way into and American education system. In some cases their previous education was nothing more than teacher led memorization and repetition. Coming into this culture would be very different. Students would be asked for their opinions many may not know how to respond because they were never given the chance before. I am glad to see that there are community based resources available to these families to help make the transition easier. As a teacher I find that it is always good to be aware of these types of things within your classroom. The only real way to do so is by making connections with the students and finding out their backgrounds.

Reading Discussion #4

So I am deciding to blog about the article by L.J. Dance On Being "hardcore", "a hardcore wannabe", or "hardcore enough". I am not sure if I am suppose to but it was listed as a reading on the website and I'm interested in it. The term hardcore does seem to be tossed around alot and very casually now a days. For a while there I heard it about as much as the phrase "epic fail" and I will admit to saying it myself. I never gave much thought to the term and I guess I used it more in the sense of toughness or challenging either for a person or a task. For example "Man he took a header down the concrete steps and walked away like it was nothing - he's hardcore."
When reading the examples of innercity hardcore kids it reminded me of a friend of mine. He plays up the hardcore demenor all the time. Nothing bothers him and he has no feelings and remorse about things he says and does (hm, perhaps he's a sociopath instead?).Yet I know better and have called him out on it several times.  I once told him that deep down inside he was still that teenager who was beat by his father, that learned to run away from his problems, and drink his feelings away and just claims to be hardcore. He promptly cussed me out and walked away. Oh and did I mention he is white as Wonder Bread and came from a very rich community? Why do I mention this you ask? I find this notion of being "hardcore" is not just limited to an innercity black community. Perhaps this started there and spread into other cultural areas? While reading the article I found my heart went out to these kids who were making major decisions that may not have been for the best. In some cases the choices were made for them. Some found themselves being forced to leave school not drop out but leave because they felt there were not opportunities for them. My friend went through the same thing. He dropped out in this case and got his G.E.D. but said he felt like the system failed him and that he would not be successful while going to school. Thankfully he now wants to get back into getting an education and to better himself but he made many stupid mistakes along the way before getting to this place in his life. Many of these "hardcore" and  "gangsta" inner city youths may not have that opportunity and the system will really have failed them.
From personal experience I have worked with many adult at risk students in a community college level and it is so hard some days. I found I had to work twice as hard to keep them coming back to not just class but to the school in general. I had one student tell me he wanted to get an education and make something of himself but thought he may have to go back to dealing drugs just to feed his family. His friend remarks that all he would ever be was a "wannabe", at the time I didn't understand the term but now I do. I am glad to say that he didn't go back into being a "wannabe" and is now making something of himself - he was one of the lucky ones.

Reading Discussion #3

I found Michael Kimmel’s piece Masculinity as Homophobia to be interesting. The part that stuck out to me was the idea that men are most fear being laughed at and ridiculed. I would content that this may not be just about trying to be masculine. The desire to not be rejected is not just a male issue. This seems to be fairly universal to all people to not want to be made fun of. And the idea that men commit suicide mainly based on feeling less manly seemed a bit far fetched to me. Excluding mental illness financial issues and personal ones are prevalent to suicide. I am doubtful a man who is suicidal is going to leave a note saying he offed himself because he didn’t feel masculine enough. He would be more likely to leave a note saying he blew all his money and his wife left him because he was a drunk not because he didn’t feel manly enough. I don’t know this article was an interesting read but just isn’t sitting with me well.

Reading Discussion #2

I decided to cherry pick for this reading of Children of Immigration. I decided to jump into chapter 3 The Psychosocial Experience of Immigration. I found this to be interesting. The first thing I found interesting was the separation and reunification process. The book mentioned about Caribbean countries and that "there is a long standing cultural practice of 'child fostering'" (p. 67). These children would be placed with other family members either for better opportunities in life or in response to a family crisis. I thought about this a realize one does not hear about this as much in the United States. Usually whole families move and this can be troublesome for the children at times - and that is while staying within the country not moving to a new one. The text did touch on P.T.S.D. which I feel is something often overlooked. I have a friend who has it and there are times where she will become upset and not know exactly why. I can imagine already having some kind of trauma and then having to endure the stress of moving to a whole new country. I found the idea of learning a new culture and taking on different roles in the family unit interesting as well. It can be stressful to have to learn all new customs and ways of living life that in some case may be totally opposite of their old traditions. If the child is able to acclimate sooner and learn the vernacular they can often become the unofficial head of the family. They may become the one to fill out papers and answer phone calls and speak at appointments. This would be a great burden I'm sure. And to think that all of this can follow them into the classroom. A student with undiagnosed P.T.S.D. may have and episode during a class and not be able to explain why. The teacher may just feel they are being unruly. One that has to take on the daily tasks of adult life may not be able to complete their homework on time or if at all. I guess in many respects this could apply to non-immigrants as well. It just reminds me that I should keep these kinds of things in the back of my mind when in a classroom.

Reading Discussion #1

I found the readings to be very interesting. I was surprised by how much of a person’s perceived self worth and identity is linked to their race. Coming from a history background I was familiar with the ideas presented in the White Privilege essay. I was aware of the notion of the “white man’s burden” and having to make those who were not like the white man more like them. The religious conversions and wars with various native tribes throughout North America instantly came to mind. It was interesting to actually list out all of the ways that a white person able to benefit from their skin color. It also brought to light a lot of the judgments and stereotypes given to those who are not white. I found the Racial Formations piece to be interesting. I was surprised by the state law about being considered black by having “at least one-thirty-second ‘Negro blood’”.  It sounds so archaic yet how many laws and still in place that no longer apply or are up head until it is convenient? I also found the study discussed in the Ethnic Identity piece to be fascinating. At times I found myself identifying with the different groupings. I would of course change my mind once I continued reading and decided I fit the next grouping better. I do wonder which group I would actually fit into based on the criteria in real time?

Introduction

So I managed to get signed up and started with my blog. I never thought I would have one. I was dragged kicking and screaming by friends into the world of social media and now blogging?! So my name is Greg Jones. I am just getting started with Graduate school. I am taking four course this summer and yes I am starting to question my sanity for doing so :) I graduated a year ago with a Bachelor's in history and am very excited to continue.

Ok I hope this worked.