Critique is understood as an interrogation of the terms by which life is constrained in order to open up the possibility of different modes of living; in other words, not to celebrate difference as such but to establish more inclusive conditions for sheltering and maintaining life that resist models of assimilation. ~Judith Butler
I believe Judith Butler meant that in order for a person to think differently and understand that differences occur among people and situations, one has to first question himself. This interrogating act is not done to celebrate the differences and cultures between people, but to realize how to better include these individuals instead of expecting them to assimilate to what is accepted as the standard. Instead, both perspectives need to be open and willing to transform a little in order to proactively move toward a society that understands the cause-and-effect relationship between a person’s hybrid identity (Hicks, 2002) and education.
There’s no question that educators are aware of the diversity of their students. We understand that they are each different in their own right, but we often fail to question how they are different in order to understand how their differences affect their learning. Hicks’ (2002) own self-reflections and studies of Laurie and Jake’s interactions with school provides clarity in my own understanding of how class and gender affect a child’s literacy learning, especially when these identities conflict with the models found among education. The role of males and females are seen differently among classes, causing frustration for some students who are trying to balance the literacies between home and school. Hicks’ studies demonstrates that the early grades can be the hardest for many students because they are adjusting differences from home literacies to school literacies. They are realizing that things are not like those at home, and thus begins their journey of molding in hybrid identities that involves some difficulties along the way.
In regards to race, this course has allowed me to see that though different races may not always be accepted among standard English that is taught within a white middle class educational system, these races face struggles within their own groups when they begin to assimilate to the standards of this system. In a sense, Delpit and Dowdy shared how they or their loved ones faced ostracism because they were taking the avenue of what society deemed as the only road to success. In my opinion, teachers should strive to make their students reach success and forcing them to assimilate to a perceived standard by imposing our own cultural identities and backgrounds is not the way. What kind of message is this sending to our students? – Society isn’t going to accept you like you are and neither are we?! This is not the approach education should take. Is it not the role of education to inform society and culture them into upstanding citizens? If so, why can’t we inform them that cultural backgrounds help form literacies and expecting a person to assume the standard brings conflict and frustration that inhibits intellectual growth as students try to form their identity? By teaching that standard English is the only way to success, we are forcing our children to either conform and forget what has molded them into who they are or continue to taste failure and rejection among those who say they know best. Instead, we should be encouraging them to use their cultural identities to empower them among literacy learning so they are able to reflect and decide the directions they desire. By doing this, we are still molding them into upstanding citizens who become proactive in challenging the accepted standards as the only means of achieving success. Proposing that there is only one way to reaching the standard is denying our students from exploring who they are and how this can be used to help them achieve success.
As Noll suggested, teachers to need step up in their influential roles and discover what interests and backgrounds their students have. By appealing to their interests and home identities, we are able to help them as they establish their hybrid selves. This also portrays to our students that they ways of thinking are not wrong, and we are beginning to model to them that you have to reflect upon different perspectives in order to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. Using literacy – reading and writing – is a way of enabling our students to reflect and see similar perspectives so they can express themselves without feeling different. This is what Henry and Staples enabled me to understand when they referred to giving our students a voice within the classroom. They need to be able to share and an inviting environment. The Carey video only confirmed that such school literacies gives our students a means of gaining power and equality within the classroom and communities. Education plays an important role in the lives of our students. It is crucial for teachers to know their students, welcome who they are, be sensitive to their needs, and help them find ways to develop within the confines of school without forcing just one model. By doing this speaks volumes, students are able to hear loud and clear that they are accepted and cared for within the classroom.
Melissa Riley