Week 6 AssignmentI-Esha Rivera

EDU639: Human Relations. &

Learning in the Multi. Envmnt (MRE1429B) Instructor: Douglas Gloss

Thursday, August 25th 2014

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

The culture of the African American, began before slavery. Yet, often we only hear of what happened after the atrocity of slavery.

The African American Culture is more than the stereotypes that are synonymously used when speaking about African Americans.

• Gangs• Teen Pregnancy• Poverty

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND IT’S CONTRIBUTIONS.

The African American has contributed a great deal to this society. Inventions such as the 3-way stop light. Poets like Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and Alice Walker. Artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Clarence Major.

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

In the African-American culture of today, the creativity still exists; it can still be seen within the music, art and inventions that are still occurring however, there is another side to this culture, a side that represents single-family households, poverty, drop-out rates, effects of racism, unemployment and gangs, a level playing field makes all the difference to a student that is already in a disadvantaged state “A lack of education and job skills prevents gainful employment, which adversely affects family dynamics and the life course of families’ children” (Fleishe, 2009).

THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

The African American history is rich in content, which stems far before they were taken from their lands. Producers of kingdoms, civilizations, sculptures, art and a plethora of other achievements, this is the history that is rarely spoken of and needs to be implemented into the curriculum.

However, after the slave ship had come, the horror of slavery ensued, 100’s of years of subservience in the most deplorable of ways.

THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

The KKK

Jim Crow

Movement for Civil Rights

The Continuous Struggle for Equal

Rights

Racism/police brutality

The Black Power Movement

THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

WHITE SCHOOLINNER CITY BLACK SCHOOLS

Qualified Teachers who are paid

reasonable salaries

Adequate schools, desks, a chair for

each student, computers.

Books

Basic School Supplies

Art, Gym, extracurricular activities

• Lack of Books• Lack of computers• Un-qualified teachers• Inadequate schools, lack

of chairs, over-crowded classrooms

• Art, Gym, technology and Extracurricular activities have been cut

• Teachers have to buy their own supplies.

INCLUSIONARY PRACTICES

CultureShow an interest in the students culture,

who they are and where they come from.

DiversityIn order for inclusion to be successful, there must be lessons that represent

diversity. This means that the students should be taught about various people,

stemming from all different backgrounds. This will instill in them,

confidence and they will be able to see the greatness of all people and the lands

in which they reside.

Analyzing Various NeedsA teacher needs to be able to identify

any learning limitations within a student. If the student has reading, math or even speaking difficulties, that teacher should

make the necessary adjustments in order to help that student.

Inclusion

CollaborationCollaborating with other

teachers, the community and schools in order to learn and

communicate with the students.

PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTParents can become involved in their child education by:

• Assisting with Homework

• Keeping in contact with the teacher

• Assist with special groups or clubs (i.e. chess, kickball, debate club).

• Volunteer in Classroom

PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The community is another rich resource that a teacher has at their fingertips, this is where the teacher can have major influence and involve the community as well by:

•Establishing parental peer groups

•Mentoring programs for the students right there in their own communities

•Create meetings between the school administration and the community

PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The teacher, parent and school administration need to work together, ensuring that the students’ needs are met “Clearly, parents and schools must be partners in education. Parents have a stake in how schools are run and how and what their children are learning, and schools need educable children from homes that support the school's program” (Flaxman, 1992).

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

One would like to think that the African American culture is one plagued with gangs, violence, teen pregnancy, single family homes and poverty. Yet, it is much more than that; it is legacy, heritage and future. With the right education, mentoring, programs and support this culture could thrive. However, if the problem within these schools is not recognized and seen, there will be a repetitive cycle of lost causes. This cycle must stop and that begins with acknowledging the problem.