Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Rich-heard Road-ree-guess
In the article, "Hunger of Memory," Richard Rodriguez recalls a time in his life when he was unable to understand English and the trouble he faced. This had a theme that has returned over and over from the different theorists, the idea of "learning the rules" in order to succeed like the people of the culture in power. When he still didn't know English, Richard mentioned how he heard the sounds of English spoken around him. How it was the language of los gringos and he wasn't welcomed to a level of understanding of it. He was embarrassed by his parents' broken English when they went out in public. However, when he was at home, he was comforted by the "family language" of Spanish, something they could share intimately and be warmed by.
However, this comfort didn't last for long. Being a member of the unprivileged group in the American society, he (and his sisters) were forced into learning American English. Their parents refused to speak Spanish at home anymore by request of a nun from their catholic school. The comfort of Spanish at his home was gone. He had an epiphany of his own one day and spoke aloud in class, confidently in English. He says this was when he began to lose his Spanish identity.
The question this article arose for me was, by forcing students from different cultures and language backgrounds to abandon their native tongue for English, are we destroying what makes them unique? America is based on different cultures joining together to create a richer culture. Why can't their languages be included into our current culture? Yes they should learn English in order to better fit into the culture we have established in this country, but it shouldn't be at the cost of losing the ability to still connect with their family.
However, this comfort didn't last for long. Being a member of the unprivileged group in the American society, he (and his sisters) were forced into learning American English. Their parents refused to speak Spanish at home anymore by request of a nun from their catholic school. The comfort of Spanish at his home was gone. He had an epiphany of his own one day and spoke aloud in class, confidently in English. He says this was when he began to lose his Spanish identity.
The question this article arose for me was, by forcing students from different cultures and language backgrounds to abandon their native tongue for English, are we destroying what makes them unique? America is based on different cultures joining together to create a richer culture. Why can't their languages be included into our current culture? Yes they should learn English in order to better fit into the culture we have established in this country, but it shouldn't be at the cost of losing the ability to still connect with their family.
Kozol
In the article we read in class by Jonathan Kozol, I was very much drawn into the stories he portrayed. The young boy, Cliffie, hit a special place in my heart. I, very similarly to Kozol, was shocked to see how desensitized this young boy had become by the violence constantly surrounding him.
Another point in the article that struck a chord with me was the comment Kozol included at the end. He mentioned that a Lawrence Mead commented that poor people remain poor because they don't "behave rationally." This is completely wrong for the people of Mott Haven, especially the people Kozol followed and spoke to. These people are doing the best with the help they receive from the government. They work hard, and are constantly pushed backwards. Yes, some of them are drug addicts and are passing AIDS to other people by using dirty needles, but for the innocent children thrown into this livelihood, what are we, as a privileged society, going to do?
Another point in the article that struck a chord with me was the comment Kozol included at the end. He mentioned that a Lawrence Mead commented that poor people remain poor because they don't "behave rationally." This is completely wrong for the people of Mott Haven, especially the people Kozol followed and spoke to. These people are doing the best with the help they receive from the government. They work hard, and are constantly pushed backwards. Yes, some of them are drug addicts and are passing AIDS to other people by using dirty needles, but for the innocent children thrown into this livelihood, what are we, as a privileged society, going to do?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Welcoming Myself to the World of Blogging!
My name is Marissa Bello. I am 21 years old and a Secondary Education and Math major. As my url says, I am a total math dork, but it's okay because at least it's fun! I come from a long line of math teachers, and my mom teaches 5th grade in North Providence. I want to teach to touch the minds of my students and hopefully change the reaction people usually have to the word "math." I'm practicing that now by tutoring at the Math Learning Center located in the Oasis office on campus (so if you need any math help come on by!)
This looks like it is going to be a fun semester! I can't wait to share my thoughts and experiences about the reading and the Service Learning Project with all of you! :)
This looks like it is going to be a fun semester! I can't wait to share my thoughts and experiences about the reading and the Service Learning Project with all of you! :)
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