a conspicuous divide between who took honors and AP classes (overwhelmingly Asian American students)
This divide leads me to think about the demographic of my own school. While I knew many asians in high school, I met a majority of my friends in my classes, which were mainly advanced and AP courses. I never realized whether or not there was actually a significant population of Asian Americans at my high school or if it was a product of this gap, and which "side" of the gap I was on.
ets up Asian Americans to be a “scapegoat during times of crisis.”
This is exactly what happened with COVID, and all Asians were affected by a new wave of hatred as people became bitter from the crisis happening around them, which had nothing to do with the Asian American citizens they were harming both physically and verbally.
In spite of much data contradicting their commonplace view, numerous social scientists and media commentators have regularly cited the educational and eco-nomic “success” of a particular Asian American group, one typically described as the “model minority,” as an indication that whites no longer create significant racial barriers for them.37 For example, a 2012 research report of the prestigious Pew Research Center cites this socioeconomic success and asks unreflectively, Chou & Feagin 2ed.indb 147/3/14 1:07 PM
Indicating that they do not face any racial barriers is harmful for Asian Americans as it invalidates any discrimination and hatred they may receive and do receive on a regular basis. Saying that Asian Americans do not face any injustice only allows for more injustice to ensue.
the imprisonment of Japanese Americans in U.S. concentration camps during WorldWarII. The government’s rationale for the camps was openly racist. In 1943 West Coast military commander General John DeWitt articulated what most whites then believed when he argued that “a Jap’s a Jap. The Japanese race is an enemy race, and while many second- and third-generation Japanese born on U.S. soil, possessed of U.S. citizenship, have become ‘Americanized,’ the racial strains are undiluted.”
The imprisonment of Japanese Americans in the US during WWII is something that I feel is not talked about enough in our history. It was a terrible, racist, and essentially pointless, as no one in these camps was ever found to be a "spy" or an enemy of our country in any tangible way. Countless were taken from there homes and its sickening that this happened so close to where we live now.
group definition
The term "group definition" is an interesting one, as it is nearly synonymous with the definition of racism itself. I'm curious as to why this wording was used.
such an untold experience is indeed a very harmful invisibility.
Racial hostility towards Asian Americans is always present somewhere in society, and turning a blind eye to it only allows it to perpetuate even further. By invalidating the racial struggles of an entire race, you allow the hateful behavior to continue because its "not as bad." It's still racism.
these stereotyped images and Cho’s own struggle to achieve may have worked against his mental health
This is an important aspect and flaw of the model minority ideology. It sets these standards and stereotypes that invalidate emotions, successes, and individuals themselves.
Many respondents have tried to alter their appearances to appear “less Asian” with little success and with much consequence to self-esteem.
This sort of transformation is a sad thing to hear about and I don't think that trying to fit in best with the status quo to avoid discrimination is something that is exclusive to America. A close Korean friend of mine would tell me about her time in Korea, and how many see tanned or even slightly darker skin as "dirty" or "poor" in a sense, which leads many to go to extreme lengths to appear as bleach white as possible. Otherwise, numbers of people would call you names.
In the public mind Asian Americans are often synonymous with academic excellence, in part because their group scores on standardized tests and their college enrollment levels often exceed those of other groups, often including whites
The idea that Asians are inherently smart and excellent academically is something that I have heard and experienced so much in my life that I have almost become numb to it. While I personally see it as harmless to me, I can understand the ideologies it perpetuates and I do think it is inherently problematic, at least in how casual the statement has become nowadays.
e status quo is subtractive and inscribed in public policy: the ·Texas Bilingual Education Code ii ; transitional policy framework.7 The state's English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum is designed to impart to non-native English speakers sufficient verbal and written skills to effectuate their transition into an all-English curriculum within a three-year time period.
This seems counter-education, as foreign language is a requirement for many high schools anyway. There should be a way to better accommodate people who were raised with a different language rather than simply erasing this part of their identity.
There is a widespread belief that Asian-American children are the "perfect" students, that they will do well regardless of che academic setting in which they are placed
This idea is something that has caused me to devalue my own accomplishments in a way. I never really saw myself as being very smart as it always just seemed like something that was expected of me. For my close Asian friends who were not doing as well in my classes, I've heard of how even marginally lower scores or grades can affect them tremendously, and it's overall a harmful idea to perpetuate.
Most teachers, unaware of this tendency, are likely to insist that all groups be gender-mixed, thus depress-ing the exhibition of ability by the Latino girls in the class.
This is something I was not aware about either, and it isn't something that is very obvious unless you share the cultural experience. I'm curious if multicultural awareness is something that is taught or in any teacher training as it is a widely important aspect of educating children and should be mandatory regardless of a school's diversity numbers.
Another reported, "Almost every day on Call of Duty: Black Ops [a video game involving other online players] I see Confederate flags, swastikas and black people hang-ing from trees in emblems and they say racist things about me and my teammates." Another game-related incident was this one: "Me and my friends were playing Xbox and some kid joined the Xbox Live party we were in and made a lot of racist jokes I found offensive."27
The racist and offensive imagery in in-game emblems was something that I saw quite a lot on Call of Duty lobbies when I was younger, and it was quite a common occurrence. There seems to have been a toxic subculture in gaming revolving around edgy and dark humor that often is just an excuse to spew racist statements. Even if people believe that they are doing it "just for a bit" or "as a joke" that does not mean that it is nullified of its impact on others. While not as prevalent today, at least from my experience, I know it still exists and it's honestly sad.
Whites are the preferred group in US society. The stereotypes, omissions, and distortions that reinforce no-tions of White superiority are breathed in by Black children as well as White.
This is something I felt growing up, though it always came with a bit of confusion as I grew up mixed. One thing that I notice a lot in retrospect was the severe lack of diversity in the television shows I watched as a kid. For this I understand the purpose of diversity in media and how it can have an effect on children early in childhood. One of my favorite shows, both as a kid and to this day, Avatar: the Last Airbender was one that explored depiction of various cultures, particularly east asian cultures, and I feel like contributed to my comfortability I have in my identity.
Despite the focus on diversity, our desires for inclusion, many professors still teach in classrooms that are predominant-ly white. Often a spirit of tokenism prevails in those settings. This is why it is so crucial that "whiteness" be studied, under-stood, discussed-so that everyone learns that affirmation of multiculturalism, and an unbiased inclusive perspective, can and should be present whether or not people of color are pre-sent.
This is so important. There are many areas in the United States with a severe lack of diversity, yet a multicultural approach to education is still very much important. No matter where you are, if you have any online presence at all you exist in a multicultural world and should be able to function within that with respect and understanding, rather than ignorance.
It forces us all to recognize our complicity in accepting and perpetuating biases of any kind.
This is something that took me a while to recognize. There are so many biases that are taught and ingrained at a very young age that are difficult to recognize at times. Bringing these to light in our education is a good way to break or at the very least call in to question these ideals and allow for a more open and accepting mind.
When students complain to the teacher about this Jack of inclusion, they are told to make suggestions of material that can be used. This often places an unfair burden on a student.
This is completely unfair, as these things should not have to be addressed in the first place. It isn't the student's job to write the curriculum. I think it is good that people were there to protest the exclusion, but if consistent complaints are needed to make a change, then change will be a slow and arduous process.
What we all ideally share is the desire to learn-to receive actively knowledge that enhances our intellectual development and our capacity to live more fully in the world. It has been my experience that on e way to build community in the classroom is to recognize the value of each individual voice.
Highlighting the individual is such an important thing in education especially after covid online schooling. I've noticed that since fully online school, many classrooms were not as interactive or engaging, mainly on the student end, but also with a lot of the curriculum that was adapted to be completed outside the constraints of the traditional classroom.
Agam and agam, 1t was nec-mc . . ¡· . 11 t remind everyone that no educatwn 1s po 1tica y neu-essary o . . 1
I've noticed in my high school experience, that political biases still exist in certain classes. While the teacher still said that any viewpoint was welcome, it was clear that a bias existed and many of my peers said that they adjusted viewpoints on their assignments in an attempt to get a higher grade. I'm not sure if the viewpoints affected the grading but I think the idea that people were afraid to express their thoughts is one that is dangerous for our education.
how education, particularly at the high school level, can be a daunting and dangerous time for students who, unlike himself, are not wealthy.
The out of touch nature of politicians regarding certain policies is a consistently frustrating thing especially in the ever-changing world of today. This is too common and causes many to question the integrity of our legal system and how the primary demographic of older white men are in control of the future of our greatly diverse country.
They are designed to steer poor students into trades, vocations, and jobs, not professions and high-paying careers. On purpose.
This is yet another example of how our education system fosters inequality and brings into question the true intentions of the American dream. Is it the idea that you can achieve whatever you want to do, or that you can just achieve what the system wants you to do?
becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for what too often becomes a trajectory of underachievement.
This reminds me of the previous reading, and the idea that students surrounded by motivated students tend to be more motivated and studious themselves. The concept of separating children by educational skill level inherently increases gaps by forcing the less studious children all together, and although many of them may be perfectly capable of accelerated learning with enough motivation, they are instead constrained to the label placed on them and the peers who are labeled the same.
Why are people poor? Because our historical and social structures mean them to be.
This is a stark contrast of the ideals of the teachers in the first couple pages who were blaming deficit thinking and poor children "not taking advantage." It instead takes a more nuanced approach and looks at the aspects of our society that cause the inequities. This takes almost all responsibility for the inequities away from the individual, which I think is a bit flawed in its own right as it perpetuates the idea that poor people are helpless and cannot exhibit class mobility because of the system.
Racial minorities (better phrased, "global majorities") are dispro h f . d. d por-tionately represented in poverty. T ere ore, an mor mate an overwhelmingly fewer number of people of color have access to ~enerational wealth based on their recognition as only three-fifths of a human bemg and the subsequent denial of property ownership as a direct result of being property themselves
It's a terrible thought that although slavery and racial segregation are eradicated in law, the ideals and structures behind it still perpetuate inequality today. The idea of the great equalizer as described in the title is especially needed in this context.
Poor children fail in schools because they are not taking advantage. Poor people exist because they wasted a good, free educa-tion. The poor themselves are the problem.
This is an idea that I hear quite a bit especially from those arguing against affirmative action policies. I believe that deficit thinking is contributing to the issue of inequity, though I don't think it is fair to attribute all inequity towards it, as there are systems and societal structures that also contribute to this inequity.
We continue to need methods for shrinking overwhelming and widen-ing class divides. Many of us choose to address the equity gap by struggling to supply universal access to high-quality, free, and appropriate public education. Nearly two centuries later, "the great equalizer" cannot equalize soon enough.
The widening of equity gaps is intriguing to me as equality across race, gender, and sexuality in the social and legal sense in America has long been an issue that has gotten progressively better. Even though progression may not be as quick as some may have wished it to, it has still been progressing positively especially in recent years. In education, though, these inequities are growing. I wonder if it is due to disagreements on policymaking or if it is something greater that makes it so difficult to address.
Until recently local prope_rtY taxes provided the hulk of the financing for public schools, and local officials ·11 ak d · · b · ..,,.,ents stl m e most ec1S1ons a out personnel and pedagogy
I've heard before that property taxes funding schools were a large part of the education gaps in our society. From what I've read today though, it seems like property taxes is still just a piece of that inequality and there are numerous other factors that also contribute to this issue.
Similarly, it helps all children to have peers who take· school seriously,
Personally, I have witnessed this notion in my own life. I've had quite a few different circles in high school and college and can personally attest that the study habits of my peers I surround myself with are adopted in some way by me. In early education, this is especially important.
arises between their belief that every child deserves a quality education and their actions to benefit their own children over the long run.
This is an interesting point to make, as it seems that the ideals of the American Dream are the same ones that invalidate it for others. As everyone seeks their own success, they take advantage of whatever they can and, in turn, sacrifice the opportunities of others. I do not think that one can really blame the people taking advantage of the system-- as any reasonable person would probably want to have an advantage-- but I do think there is blame for the system to allow the inequity at all.
Latino gangs-whom Clara calls "cockroaches"-dominated the schools that she and her brother attended.
This saddens me, that the violence of gangs intrudes onto the education and youth of children. When we were talking about what a school should be, this activity should be far away from it.
"because it's a safe area."
Especially coming from South Central LA, it's clear that this family's priorities lie in being in a safe city. I've noticed that Orange County and Irvine especially are beheld as some of California's safest, and honestly it did partially influence my choice in school.
API compared to all California Top high schools
This contrast is shocking especially when compared to the "School Resources" section. That section made the schools seem almost interchangeable, yet the outcomes are so different.
Spending per pupil
This is important to note as these numbers are not drastically different. A lot of people advocate for more educational spending but these numbers make me wonder what the priorities of school spending are on a case by case basis and how it can be used more effectively.
Santa Ana students are overwhelmingly poor and Latino and heavily Spanish-speaking, whereas Troy students come from ethnically diverse, eco-nomically upscale backgrounds
This is important as it brings to light the segregation in cities that occurs in society all the time. This segregation inherently affects schools as choice of school is largely dependent on location, especially in grade school.
Santa Ana, the county seat, just 20 miles away, is 95 percent Hispanic
This is something I've noticed while being in Irvine and its surrounding areas as well. Each city has a vastly different demographic, especially from Irvine to Santa Ana, even though they are less than 10 minutes away.
You have areas of pov-erty and areas of great affluence and less of a middle."
This relates to the topic of an increasing income gap we were talking about in lecture. Perhaps Orange County can serve as a case study to understand why this happens on a larger scale.
strong, persistent mother and grandmother. In descriptions of poor children, such remarkable families are rarely men
This is a refreshing statement as prior readings don’t read into the nuance of people of different SES, and instead simply group and categorize into advantaged and disadvantaged. The world isn’t so black and white.
This insistence on compliance is also one aspect of schooling that keeps some students from feeling they can challenge the very structures that repress them
This is an important aspect to address. Schooling can shape students, and although this is generally beneficial in terms of behavior and respect, this can often put them into a box of almost having to accept the world as it is. It’s all about finding a balance in my opinion.
However, that her counselor allowed her to make this decision is likely due to his or her assump-tion that a student like Chantelle-an African American from a low-income family-should be placed in the lowest-level math class, prealgebra, even though she had taken it already.
This is shocking but its interesting to think about how the inequality that does exist due to low income families having access to less resources perpetuates itself even if a student's intelligence surpasses the status quo. It makes me wonder how much of the inequality is inherent due to societal factors, and how much of it is manufactured in the school, by the faculty and counselors.
her reason for making that decision was problematic: she based it on her brother's experience.
As someone with an older brother, making decisions based on his experience is something I am all too familiar with in my childhood. Though in my case I do not believe it was too harmful.
( private tutors and counselor , the
Since private tutors are such a beneficial part of having a higher SES, and thus increase the achievement gap, couldn't schools offer resources to less privileged students in order to promote equity? I feel it would be a good investment in the students and in turn the school itself if programs like this were made available.
Family enrichment expenditures on children by income level
The increase in income inequality is evident here, though I wonder if there is a law of diminishing returns on the amount of spending on enrichment, and noticeable benefits can be had with less spending. There has to be such thing as spending too much, right? I'm just curious as to how it measures across the range of incomes, not just the top and bottom.
Permission is needed if Harold or his sister wants something to eat, because food is always in short supply:
Growing up in an upper middle class household, the idea that for some families, food was in short supply always baffled me as a child. For me, food was a constant, and even if I didn't feel that hungry on a particular day, my parents would make me sit at the table until everything was gone. These stark contrasts help to explain the disparity among different income classes.
Both of Alexander's parents had professional degrees, so they knew all about what Alexander needed to do to prepare himself for college.
As someone with a mother who was college educated I realize how much of a privilege it is to have the guidance and generational experience when going into higher education. While it may be true that it is not necessary to have parental support in order to take advantage of one's opportunities it is definitely a huge plus and I wonder if any studies back this ideology.