Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (Summer 2011)

Zonnie and Daniel both young and journeying into the world to live and learn with excitement for the future. They both are so innocent and unaware of the slurs, disapproval and jokes that will invade their lives as they journey through. Whites are supreme as far as numbers. We think so shallowly as well that we are superior. We think our culture is the best. We resist people of color and cultural differences. We keep our distance and do not want to share or let those people in. Zonnie and Daniel both have hearts, souls, brains, awesome talent and cultural art to share. We are the close minded and the unappreciative ones. Our curriculum is designed more for white history and culture. Our reign as the superior race may be a fleeting one now. Many cultures and races have moved into the United States and are marrying into white families. Whites are marrying into diverse culture and race families. The cycle of kick ass meaness from our past and current generations will dissapate over time. Will we understand the ramifications of what we do then?
I have much apathy for Zonnie and Daniel that feel their culture is not important and their history and heritage is not valuable. The kind of treatment they endured as school students is repulsive to me. We must learn to celebrate and read about all cultures in our world and especially if we have these students in our classes. All children regardless of race, color, culture, religion have a right to an education. They have a right to receive respect from others. They are the courageous ones and the ones that will hopefully excel in life and not let the history of racial injustice torture their hearts and souls through their lives.
As years go by I have become more aware of the importance of multicultural studies and celebrations within the classroom. I fear that much of the racial injustice we see today stems from older generations. They seem to love to pass on negative history. We must work harder than ever in the classroom to change this narrow way of thinking and open doors for all of God's children to enter equally in order to learn and prepare for generation's ahead.
This account and study of Daniel and Zonnie should be read by all teachers and used as a lesson for others.
Candy Kee