While browsing through articles on the internet, I came across many related to the topic of racism. I am beginning to feel as if I am surrounded by stories of racism. From the KKK’s aggressive campaign against immigrants, to the police violence against black people in cites throughout our nation, racism and discrimination continue to be problems. One story stood out to me and continues to make me uncomfortable. Malachi Wilson, a five year-old boy, could not attend his first day of kindergarten in Seminole, Texas. What could he have done to warrant the principal’s rejection? His hair was simply too long. Navajo on his father’s side and Kiowa on his mother’s side, Malachi grows his hair for religious beliefs, as his mother explains that, “Native Americans consider hair sacred and spiritual” (Rickert). After Malachi’s mother, April Wilson explained this to Sherrie Warren, principal of F.J. Elementary School, Warren proceeded to request proof that Malachi was American Indian. While Wilson told Warren that her child was a member of the Navajo tribe, Warren did not budge. In response, April Wilson “called the Navajo Nation to assist in the documentation process,” and she also “called a member of the American Indian Movement, who called the school district’s superintendent” (Rickert). Later that day, Wilson received a call from the school assuring her that Malachi could attend school if she signs a form explaining why he wears his hair long, and thankfully, Malachi has since joined his peers in his kindergarten class. From this story, three main concepts stand out to me: ignorance and disrespect of others’ values, proving your identity, and the impact of discrimination. While the situation has been resolved, the fact that this e... ... middle of paper ... ...es. As a Christian, I know that Native people are not the only people to have considered hair to be sacred. Just look at Samson in Judges 16:17: “‘No razor has ever been used on my head,’ he said, ‘because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.’”. Something as seemingly simple as hair can be much more complex when we take the time to think about another person’s perspective, history, values, culture, and feelings. The interaction in Seminole, Texas wasn’t just about a haircut. Work Cited Rickert, Levi. (August 27, 2014). Five-year-old Navajo Boy Denied Admission on First Day of School Because His Hair is Too Long. Retrieved from http://nativenewsonline.net/currents/five-year-old-navajo-boy-denied-admission-first-day-school-hair-long/.
The children, who spoke only Navajo, were not allowed to speak any Navajo at all, only english. If they were caught speaking any Navajo they were punished.
Teachers should make personal efforts to research preferred terminology for students and use language respectfully. For Native American students, this can be a challenge because there is controversy both within and around the Native American community about self-identification and ethnic markers. I have used the group marker “Native American” throughout this case study because this is Eva’s preferred term, but there are a variety of ethnic names individuals and particularly teachers should be aware of within the Native American population. Historically, Native Americans have had the group name “Indians”, resulting from a mislabeling during colonization (Lowe 2005). While some Native American individuals consider this to be an ethnic slur, others have chosen to re-claim this title and identify as “Indian” or “American Indian”. “Indigenous”, “Aboriginal”, and “First Nations or First People” are other variations of ethnic identification that some Native Americans have chosen to adopt. Still other Native Americans disagree with grouping all tribes under a single ethnic group, and instead argue to identify by regional markers. These include ethnic markers such as “Pueblo-dwelling People”, “Plains Indians”, “Inuit”, and “LDN Peoples (Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Peoples)”. When I asked Eva on her personal opinion on how to address self-identification of students who are Native American, she advised that I “not be afraid to ask students what they prefer to be called”. For educators, being aware of these discrepant identifiers and being receptive to students’ individual identity choices should be considered for Native American students, and educators should keep up to date on research and professional language standards for these populations of
Our spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding school is an 80 minute documentary that details the mental and physical abuse that the Native Americans endured during the Indian Boarding school experience from the mid 19th to the mid 20th century. In the beginning going to school for Indian children meant listening to stories told by tribal elders, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and storytellers. These tales past down from generation to generation were metaphors for the life experience and their relationships to plants and animals. Native children from birth were also taught that their appearance is a representation of pure thoughts and spiritual status of an individual.
Morgan, H. (2009). What every teacher needs to know to teach Native American students. Multicultural Education, 16(4), 10-12.
Across the nation, millions of Americans of all races turn on the television or open a newspaper and are bombarded with images of well dressed, articulate, attractive black people advertising different products and representing respected companies. The population of black professionals in all arenas of work has risen to the point where seeing a black physician, attorney, or a college professor are becoming more a common sight. More and more black people are holding positions of respect and authority throughout America today, such as Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Condelezza Rice and many other prominent black executives. As a result of their apparent success, these black people are seen as role models for many Americans, despite their race. However, these groups of black people are exceptions to the rule and consist of only a tiny fraction of all black Americans. These black people in turn actually help to reinforce the inequality of black Americans by allowing Americans of other races to focus on their success. A common thought is, "They made it, why can't you do the same?" The direct and truthful answer to that question is Racism.
The history of the Navajo people goes back a long time. They lived in the area around New Mexico, before they had any interaction with the first settlers. They were mainly a group of hunters and gathers (Navajo Facts, 2014). Eventually they adopted certain techniques from the Pueblo people (Navajo Facts, 2014). From the Pueblo people they learned farming and from the Spanish they learned how to raise goats and sheep (Navajo Facts, 2014). The first contact the Navajo people had with the United States government was in 1846 during the Mexican American War, when General Stephen W. Kearny invaded Santa Fe and the soldiers traveled into Navajo country (Navajo Facts, 2014). A peace treaty was signed, but it was not honored by a lot of the younger generation of Navajos and Americans. Over the next couple of years the United States built and established forts on the Navajo land and in 1861 there were...
Racism, stereotypes, and white privilege are all concepts that affect all of us whether we believe it or not. If an adolescent of a minority can distinguish these concepts in his society then we all should be aware of them. These concepts are all clearly demonstrated in “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”. Anyone and everyone could clearly understand this novel but the intended audience is middle school to college level students. The novel’s goal is to help white students understand the effects of white privilege in an easier, more understandable way. Concepts are easier to understand when someone feels like they are connecting to someone they have things in common with, which is exactly what this novel does. I, for one, was always
For First Nations youngsters, relevant education should include education about their heritage. Where Aboriginal children are in school with other Canadians, this part of the curriculum needs to be shared generally, as self-esteem grows when an appreciation of one’s background is shared by others.
"Native American Youth 101." Aspen Institue. Aspen Institues, 24 July 11. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.
As time goes on, racism is becoming more and more unexceptable. This is most likely due to the fact that parents are teaching their children about equality among different races other than their own at a very young age. Some parents are going as far as to taking their children to local Ku Klux Klan rallies to show them that being ignorant and racist is not the right way think an...
Racism (n): the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other race (Wordnet search, 1), a controversial topic in today’s society, a subject that many people try to sweep under the rug, but yet a detrimental problem that has been present in America since the colonial era. Will this dilemma come to a halt? Can all Americans see each other as equals despite their skin color and nationality; and what role has it played in past generations versus today’s generations and how will it affect our future? Has this on going way of thinking gotten better or worse? These are questions raised when many think about the subject; especially members of American ethnic groups and backgrounds, because most have dealt with racial discrimination in their life time.
Education has been a topic of controversy for many years now, and will continue to be for years to come. The modern American society is best defined by its education. A good part of the average person’s life is spent at school, going to school, and paying for school. However, even though education is so obviously very important, there are many groups in America that are getting shorted. The Native Americans are a key group that has struggled the most. The largest obstacle they face is lack of proper education. The standard educational practices being used for the instruction of Native American peoples are not effective. There are many pieces to this road-block, and many solutions. This can be rectified by having more culturally aware teachers and parents, and by teaching the general population more about the Native American cultures. The main solution here is to understand both precious cultures and modern society.
From then on I started to take up navajo class in high school so I could better understand my religion and perhaps speak it a little more often instead of a few words. Up to the end of the class I mostly just learned the history and what we do was what we did to survive and the way of life, I would guess most of it would be sacred. I learned what I could but I felt as if I was only going to recognize my culture. For that I always wonder if I should’ve been born as a navajo like my family that live here, instead of being taught english and being treated like any other
The world was once made up of black and white nations. The color of one’s skin was an indication of where someone came from. This was most likely the scenario of the world, at the very least, a hundred years ago. Racism was rampant and very public throughout the world, but now racism is not as transparent especially in the United States. For this reason people must become more open and attuned to different attitudes held by individuals. One area where racism should be looked at is in classrooms. It is well documented that people have preferences or cognitive preferences without even realizing it. A teacher therefore, has extremely powerful ability to not only give certain children preferences but also treat students different with or without realizing it themselves. At an early age of six children of exposed to this and will likely in turn mimic these behaviors. Schools have rampant discrimination tendencies throughout The United States however this does not have to be the case there must be solutions for Teachers and students a like to become more aware of discriminatory actions and to at least limit these action by becoming aware of them.
Racism is the mistreatment of a group of people on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, place of origin, or ancestry. The term racism may also denote a blind and unreasoning hatred, envy, or prejudice (Dimensions of Racism). Racism has had a strong effect on society. Despite the many efforts made to alleviate racism, what is the future of African Americans' Racism's long history, important leaders, current status, and future outlook will be the main factors in determining how to combat racism. Racism is still present in many societies, although many people are doing their best to put an end to racism and its somewhat tragic ordeals.