Blog FIVE

 The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies a Research Review by Christine E. Sleeter. 

My reflection:

For this research review I enjoyed the anecdotal beginnings that ignited Christine’s interest in bringing a culturally rich education to all students. Something that really stuck with me was, how learners disengage when their lived experiences aren't represented in the classroom content. As well as being told that the struggles of living in America as a minority group have been resolved to history. This washed down version of American history is taught solely through a white lense. As Sleeter points out, the aversion to discussions or lessons on topics of racism or discrimination of any kind are unseemly, or unnecessarily upsetting for the students. I believe this line of thought to be operating in a deficit model. Schools have teachers who avoid topics that may bring upon negative thoughts to students, without checking in with their classrooms and asking probing questions that could lead to important discussions about discrimination based on race and its history and current day influences on the United States. I know this because, as Christine points out, black middle schoolers were able to point out their lack of representation. Being forced to learn about white greatness and taught only of black suffering. But when her latino student was introduced to his own culturally rich history, his passion for learning was found. A lot could be said about whether or not this model of education was sculpted on purpose or not, however its outcome isolates learners who disassociate with western history after a certain point. If on purpose, it's another byproduct of white supremacy. If not, it’s another oversight that leaves BIPOC learners disenfranchised by their own schools. 

Personal Comment 

Although I enjoyed the reading I kept wishing this paper was written with fresher content and perspectives on learning. I recognize my own bias when drawing comparisons to my own public education, but, I felt as I entered high school more abstract concepts on America and race arose from my classroom. And cultures felt adequately celebrated, especially Latin culture and language. So I would like to know how other distract in modern day would hold up as well. 

The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies a Research Review by Christine E. Sleeter. 

https://www.ccri.edu/hsi/

Blog post #3

 What “Counts” as Educational Policy? Notes toward a New Paradigm by Jean Anyon

 

QUOTES:  

Throughout my reading I was curious about what Jean Anyon’s comments on the economic state on 2025 would be. All his data compiled with observations on how SES (socioeconomic status) affects students is exasperated (comparably) with current year statistics. Pressure on family finances are rising exponentially, and housing costs have become unaffordable. His opinion on how everyday institutions uphold this economic gap is laid out in this quote, “policies such as minimum wage statutes that yield full-time pay below the poverty level, and affordable housing and transportation policies that segregate low-income workers of color in urban areas but industrial and other job development in far-flung suburbs where public transit routes do not reach, are all culpable.” Jean Anyon is stating that everyday institutions that are supposed to aid in a thriving society cause harm and prevent any climb out of poverty. The lack of transportation, housing, job availability, and a livable wage are all factors that affect a child’s SES. Anyon also touches on how racist policy has played a hand in segregating communities from the suburbs, where more opportunities were obtainable. As I sat here comparing the early oughts’ to today, J. Anyon also makes comparisons “In the early 1900’s… relatively few urban poor students went beyond fifth grade, the vast majority did not require further education to find employment in industries that could lead to middle-class income (Anyon, 1997; Ayres, 1909). Currently, relatively few urban poor students go past ninth grade: The graduation rates in large comprehensive inner-city high schools are abysmally low.” Here is a correlation between two urban schools from different centuries and how they were educating their students to the same degree. Teaching the skills required then off to the world equipped with the knowledge to acquire a minimum wage job. A job that will keep the students in the same poverty cycle they grew up in. A harrowing point made on how rage education system has failed students with lower SES for centuries. Of course, prejudicial policy and law have caused a ripple effect of systemic injustice in the education system. Overall, a unifying factor that predicts success in a student's education has been SES. Anyon has raked through the data and conclusively tells that “Longitudinal studies that have been carried out also demonstrate that “family income consistently predicts children’s academic and cognitive performance, even when other family characteristics are taken into account” (Duncan & Brooks-Gunn, 1997).” The studies from the 2000’s draw a clear line between SES and academic performance; against all factors it remains the most prevalent issue. Anyon didn’t lay out any other solution other than to fund under privileged communities, and to strive to live and teach for an equitable society.

 

 

 

 

COMMENTS:

Anyon mentions many places where government institutions fail students and families, but he didn’t mention health care. I thought it important to bring this up because a new family can walk out of a hospital with 10k assumed in debt by just giving birth. This is not economically supporting new families and definitely doesn’t set up a great start for raising children.

I also wanted to throw down an infographic on how our own state os failing students and other citizens by the proposed RIPTA cuts. The cuts did go from 14mil to 4mil because of public backlash. But a huge percentage of bus routes are still affected.

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/08/28/ripta-board-approves-less-drastic-service-cuts-but-plan-is-no-victory-for-bus-riders/

Blog Post ONE Reflection

 Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan Johnson

While reading through the text, I felt like Allan Johnson was a mind reader. He points out the uncomfortability of a possible white reader seeing the “isms” or a cringe at a suggested “privilege”.  Although I don’t object to the reality of those terms existing in everyday life, I’ve become weary of the weight of that vocabulary in the current United States political climate. As of March 2025, 350+ words have been banned and removed from all government websites. The lexicon of words that vanished all have to do with “isms” or, “privileges”. Two  of the most ridiculous being “clean drinking water” and “women” 

This collection Johnson had written was well before the current hellscape of the war on woke and identity politics. My brain started to think deeply about who I was right around 2016. A sort of dark time to be an aspiring feminist when SJW’s and PC culture were the butt of many jokes. Being told by male classmates that the wage gap was a myth, or that women already have equal rights. Or the classic, women don't make good leaders. All dehumanizing and unintelligent takes on current issues, but what do you expect from 6th graders? The scary part is that these 12 year olds grew up to be young adults of voting age, with no change in ideology. So when reading Johnson’s work I felt the red rush over my face, and I was sent back to a time when I tried so desperately to explain systems of oppression to those in positions of privilege. Then being ridiculed for even suggesting that we still live in an oppressive state of life here in the USA. 

 So I permeate on this, it must not be mistaken that the current political agenda of gutting DEI initiatives is fueled by the Right-Wing to further divide working class voters against each other. Class solidarity is the biggest unifying factor right now, and the biggest threat to modern power and privilege is an acknowledgment of our collective suffering underneath the oppressive powers. 

https://pen.org/banned-words-list/

Hello! A little introduction.

Hey, I’m Aleda. I am currently enrolled as a Music Ed major and I just transferred from CCRI, where I received my AFA. I play piano and guitar, but I am studying vocal performance. Below is me doing some things and also pictured with me is my sweet lady pup Lizard Business