Multiculturalism as a Paradigm of Public Schooling in the United States

It is Friday night and you are headed to your favorite restaurant, to sit with your 'honey' at your favorite table. As you enter the establishment, you see there's a lot of people. You push your way through as you rush to your favorite cozy corner and then ... you find someone else sitting at your table! As you try to overcome your feeling of horror, you notice that the intruders look like they THINK they're going to stay there for quite a while - at YOUR table!

Let's say that these people who have dared to trespass into your leisure space, actually look physically like you - same skin color, eye color, hair color. They speak your language. As a matter of fact, you've known them since your childhood. They are still a NUISANCE because they have upset your Friday night ROUTINE - you are forced to CHANGE your plans!!!.....

Now imagine that the intruders do not look physically like you - imagine their hair color, eye color, skin color… It is different. They don't even speak your language correctly... Does your irritation increase exponentially? I must remind you though, that the infringement into your cozy corner has not varied. Are you more upset? If you are, where does this added selfishness, ineludible aspect of our human nature, surge from? Are we genetically wired to reject slightly altered versions of our species? Or, is our irritation basically complicated with the feelings of intimidation and fear that we have learned to associate to the topic of race and cultural differences?

So how does this anecdote relate to the topic at hand? If I were speaking lightly, I would say that people who do not tolerate other cultures and races need to stop acting like complacent and spoiled children. After all, whether it was 200 years ago or 2 days ago, those who have migrated to this country did so because they were striving for a better standard of living and more opportunities for their children.

Nevertheless, if I search my soul and speak more sensibly, I'll admit that I, too, have made decisions inherently based on the culture and race of those surrounding me. For example, where did I choose to buy my home? I chose to purchase a home in a particular area based on the desire to provide a certain standard of living, safe environment and quality public education to my four children. Anyone who has bought real estate can appreciate what I am aluding to - the relevance of checking out who one's neighbors will be.

Multiculturalism is a complex subject. It "oppresses migrants" as it creates a stereotyped 'place' that the migrant is expected to fill in the society he has moved to. (Treanor, 2003). Celebrating differences may actually conspire to confine/limit the immigrant as it may end up 'upholding' differences within the new context or environment. However, multiculturalism has some positive aspects too: it reflects the reality of our society today: "… and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32). Denying that which is evident, can be emotionally hurtful as well as psychologically damaging to individuals.

In an educational setting, "multicultural education employs a variety of curricular, instructional, and other educational practices." (Webb, Metha & Jordan, 2010: 219). By addressing learning characteristics of different cultural groups, instruction is made more effective. However, programs that may represent life-saving boards to children who are new to the school system, could actually cripple them (educationally and socially) if maintained beyond a reasonable length of time. The school system's focus needs to be "education about cultural differences rather than education for the so-called culturally different." (Gibson, 1984)

Gibson (1984) analyzes five conceptualized approaches to multicultural education in the United States. "Education About Cultural Differences or Cultural Understanding" is the most appropriate approach, in my opinion. This approach reflects respect for the country that we now call our home, as well as for the personal story behind different faces. Additionally, it allows for the culturally different children to start adopting as part of their identity, the culture and customs of the United States of America.

Multicultural education will generate classrooms that boast students from different cultural backgrounds. "Given that individuals can and normally do develop competencies in multiple cultures, the question for educators is how best to create learning environments that promote rather than inhibit the acquisition of multicultural competencies." (Gibson, 1984). These children will have wonderful opportunities to engage in enhanced academic and cultural experiences. More importantly, by being exposed to different cultures, these individuals will more likely develop tolerance and a deeper sense of decency and equity than those who are not.

References

Gibson, Margaret. (1984). Approaches to Multicultural Education in the United States: Some Concepts and Assumptions. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 15, 1, 94-120 . Retrieved on June 20, 2010, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3216446

Treanor, Paul. (2003). Why Multiculturalism is Wrong. Retrieved on June 20, 2010, from the InterNLnet Web site: http://web.inter.nl.net/users/Paul.Treanor/multicult.html

Webb, L.D., Metha, A., & Jordan,K.F. (Eds.). (2010). Foundations of American Education. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill.