In the book Who will tell my Brother?, a student is offended by the school mascot. Throughout the book, Evan, a teenage boy of partial American Indian heritage, challenges the school's stereotypical Indian mascot. As a prospective teacher, how would you react to Evan's problem? Would you stand up for him, and along with him try to persuade the school board to change it? The members of the school board are closed minded and don't find this to be a problem of significance. Would you risk your reputation, or keep to yourself about it? In some ways, teachers are guides and examples for their students, so how would your decision affect your students?
Wow, this sounds really complicated. I'm not sure when the book was written, but I can see this being much less of an issue nowadays. I guess if a student did approach me with a concern of this nature, I would do what I could to support him/her and try to rectify the situation. If it was something I relaly believed in, I would definitely put my reputation and job on the line. After all, who could work for an organization that blatantly goes against something we believe in?
ReplyDeleteThat being said, however, I can also see teachers saying that this sort of thing isn't their business to get involved in. I can see many teachers spporting the student as far as giving him/her a list list of names to contact or maybe even a date to appear at a school board meeting. I guess an issue like this blurs the line between "English teacher" or "Science teacher" and social activist. Teaching our students to accept each other is one thing, taking on the school board is another.
This is a tough question. I think as a teacher I would have to stand behind my student if they felt so strongly about something like this, but I would do so in a cautious way. There is a line that we as teacher have to carefully walk along. On the one hand we don't want our students to think that their beliefs aren't important. On the other hand, we have to be able to guide them as constructively as possible. We wouldn't want our students to going out and vandalizing, stealing, or any other illegal activity just to prove a point. We have to be able to give them positive and constructive options to make their point clear.
ReplyDeleteAs a progressive educator, I feel strongly about sticking behind the student at all costs. The Native American mascot has often signified a stereotyped impression of the culture. From tomahawks, to oversized headdresses, to red painted faces and violent depictions- all give light to ancient customs and depict past actions as "savage." This mascot symbolizes the foolish assumptions that many of the American majority make. Perhaps, as a solution to this issue, I would encourage the student to start an organization regarding Native American awareness. This would encourage the student to be an advocate for their culture, when standing up against a school, including the academic staff, who have forgotten the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding. Such a group would discourage violence and promote acceptance.
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