The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies #5

 The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies A Research Review by Christine E. Sleeter argues that ethnic studies should be incorporated into our students learning to better connect our students. When I read this article, I could not help but connect it to my own learning think back to when I was a student. It reminded me of learning about Christopher Columbus and how until only a couple of years ago, has the narrative changed even just a little bit. Since elementary school, I have heard of Christopher Columbus. “The great explorer who found this new land… He came and found this land” and so on and so forth. As a child you are not given the choice to look into different narratives. You are just told to sit and listen, and this is what happens. I believe Sleeter would call this “Bais's history” and in whose favor is this too? The mainstream look of “correct” as has been proved by our own history and society. This version of history resonates most with those in power. While eliminating the voice and story of indigenous people. When I was in high school, I first was told about indigenous people's day. That is when I had my first conversation over who really was Christopher Columbus and what he did and a different perspective of history. A very much AMERICAN history because our land was Indigenous people's land. A quote from Sleeter that stood out to me was, “Lewis (2001) found several White parents she interviewed to believe that talking about race would be divisive, even in the context of Black History Month, and to dismiss ethnic diversity with statements such as We should all be Americans.” This quote is stating that the white parents from an informal discussion believe that learning about these bias curriculums makes everyone “Amarians” yet that neglects all the cultures and many different perspectives. That is what Sleeter is trying to explain and show the benefits of ethnic studies.

I chose this image because I found it interesting that I can recognize only a couple of people from these images and a question I would bring to class is how your previous schools have taught ethnic studies (if they have or have not) If not have you done any research based on curiosity.

The following links are more information on Indigenous people's day. 

Which states observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? | Pew Research Center

Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day: RI recognizes both, MA discussing change | WPRI.com