Four "I"s

 Maldroux

This discussion compares & contrasts 3 realms and how they fit in the systems of oppression:

Racism

Ageism

& Sexism

As many others, I like to think of myself as not excluding anybody intentionally. But, as many others, I do and I am unconsciously biased. At times, I'm also consciously biased. I know that I'm often very sexist asking boys to move desks and girls to help decide decor or sitting arrangements/ elements.  However, I work on my biases or righting biases as they surface, which is the point of Malbroux video. As educators, we want to check our thoughts and actions of injustices before we teach biases & prejudices and -isms.

In last week's text Privilege and Power from A. Johnson, we read that there is trouble in humanity. Much like Malbroux states, Johnson concurs that "The trouble is rooted in a legacy we all inherited, and while we're here, it belongs to us. It isn't our fault. It wasn't caused by something we did or didn't do. But now that it's ours, it's up to us to decide how we're going to deal with it before we collectively pass it along to the generations that will follow ours (p.11)."

Resource

The four “i”s of oppression. (n.d.). https://www.trec.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Four-Is-of-Oppression-v821.pdf

Problematic privilege

 Our founding fathers didn't use the words "gay," "trans," or "queer" but Lady Liberty does remind us that we -every person ever to know of her - is weary, and to some end, weak.  That's just a human condition to be both simultaneously without need of articulating it. The freedoms represented by  her torch doesn't exclude any race, gender, religious or social class or people who may present/identify themselves as any of the words forementioned or as  not expected by majorities.  The freedoms and the "pursuit of Happiness" is meant for everyone.  Alan Johnson focuses on another human condition that causes big societal troubles in Privilege Power and Difference - our thoughts - which leads as to act (or speak) inhumane. In his chapter "The Troubke We're In" he suggests something simple to overcome or reduce societal trouble - talk about it. Johnson understands that "a trouble we can't talk about is a trouble we can't do anything about." Talking about issues that oppress and demean fellow humans or that hurt others' feelings can lead to many people checking their actions and spoken words to lessen damaging behaviors. I do agree with Johnson that through discussion we can "name and make sense of the truth of what's going on."

But how do we start to talk about painful issues? Do we just tell a friend "I saw somebody queer today" to start a dialogue that will lead to correction and better understanding?

How did you know the person was queer? Did the person do something weird or did the person say, "Hello, I'm queer?"

Why not?

Johnson gives many self-truths, and points to our human blindnesses matter of factly; "The trouble is rooted in a legacy we all inherited, and while we're here, it belongs to us. It isn't our fault. It wasn't caused by something we did or didn't do. But now that it's ours, it's up to us to decide how we're going to deal with it before we collectively pass it along to the generations that will follow ours."

How this fits into our lives as Educators is as a reminder to try to change thoughts in the lives that we touch daily by learning from others and jumping into being uncomfortable in the differences we experience. The following helps to explain Marilyn Lodan's "diversity wheel" Johnson references Bing Videos. If you do as Johnson suggests and stop to review the wheel, you will reflect on your own aspects of identity. How much of your perception shifted thinking of James Baldwin's comment on Race as a social construct? How many other social constructs do we vainly invest in?

To clarify purpose of other cultural impacts, review this site's video: Philosophy & Approach - Welcome to CCLI (Cultural Competence Learning Institute) (astc.org) We help others grow by growing. This way, as Johnson believes 

References:

Bing Videos

Johnson, A. G. (2001). Privilege, Power, and Difference.p. 1-23. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Philosophy & Approach. Philosophy & Approach - Welcome to CCLI (Cultural Competence Learning Institute). (n.d.). https://community.astc.org/ccli/philosophy-approach/foundations

FNED 502/1

 Hello - mon nuvo amis :)

It was an excellent discussion activity with the Yes & No.

I'm Nikki to shorten my given name. I am a mother of 3 & Grammy of 2 toddlers. 

I have been in education for 30 years in three different districts in 2 states, and am just getting to be my best at it even though I've scored  highly effective every evaluation since my third year teaching.

I became a literacy coach at the  request of my administration and I am glad to be in the position although I had great doubts at the start.

The older I get, the more free time I have so, I dance, write, read or listen to podcasts or masterclasses for fun.  Found "nothing" to me means enjoying a long walk with GOD no matter the weather..

I look forward to more group activities to exchange ideas with you.