The Link Between Culture and Education
- By Deric Muhammad
- Published 09/28/2009
- Education
-
Rating:
Deric Muhammad
Deric Muhammad is a Houston-based community activist who blogs at http://www.askbroderic.blogspot.com.
When a White female Lone Star College-Carver Center Professor posted this flyer in an effort to attract more Black students to her American History class, things got pretty heated. Many in our community begged to question the motive of an educator who would put two plantation dwelling youth, with tattered clothing, working in a cotton field on a flyer to represent Black people’s journey in American History. The words “learn about your community too” didn’t help the poorly chosen photograph either.
I don’t know if the flyer increased enrollment in her class, but it definitely increased Lone Star College as a conversational piece on Twitter and Facebook. How could someone create a flyer so culturally insensitive? What educational institution would approve such a thing?
And how should a community respond when images and words such as these give the appearance of disrespect for our contributions to American history? Well of course the first thing that we did was call the school’s president in an effort to obtain an explanation and to express the community concerns. It was through him that I learned that Lone Star College was an educational institution with approximately 80 percent Black, Hispanic and Other enrollment.
First, he used the term “minorities” which is one that I don’t necessarily agree with. However, the faculty at Lone Star College is 80 percent White. At this point things began to make sense.
When the overwhelming majority of your students are Black and Latino youth from the inner city and the overwhelming majority of your professors are Anglos from suburban and rural areas you are bound to run into some cultural barriers. While Conroe is only about a 20 minute drive from Acres Homes, the culture changes drastically on the other side of that 20 minute drive. But the question that we must ask is “are these cultural differences an impediment to the educational process?”
The Lone Star College System, is a “publicly supported, two-year, comprehensive community college system, involves diverse individuals, businesses, and the community in quality education opportunities for the successful development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes for a rapidly changing world.” And the system is not shy when it comes to putting people of color in key positions. Dr. Larry Rideaux was recently announced as one of two dean appointments for the Fall semester. Rideaux accepted the position of executive director/dean of the LSC-North Harris Greenspoint and Carver Centers.
When a people have survived a psychologically traumatizing ordeal like American slavery, unfortunately a high level of sensitivity becomes a part of their culture. It could be likened to the suffering of Jewish people under the sickness of Adolf Hitler and their cultural resolve that it should happen “never again.” Society handles the suffering of Jewish people very delicately.
Sometimes out of respect; sometimes out of fear. Black people are still going through a healing process. Slavery, racism, discrimination and injustice have raped us of a dignity that we held dear since the beginning of time.
Our suffering must be discussed, but it must be discussed in careful and delicate fashion lest one make a common chiropractic mistake. Just like if a chiropractor is not careful, he could further injure the very patient that he is trying help walk upright.
I eventually met with the Lone Star College System North Harris-President Dr. Steve Head, the Dean of Schools and a few other faculty members. The professor who created the flyer and teaches the course, was present as well. When I first saw the words and images on the flyer, I assumed that either someone was trying to make mockery of our sojourn in America or someone had become a little overzealous in an attempt to include “our community” in the course curriculum.
Nevertheless, it was what Obama calls a “boneheaded” error. In all fairness to the professor, you cannot have an honest discussion about American history without talking about the savage institution of slavery that helped to build this nation.
I, honestly, appreciate any professor who would have the courage to even bring it up. All we ask is that if you are going to talk about it; know what you are talking about. And if at some point you realize that you don’t, all you have to do is “ask somebody.”
This is the importance of community relationships with educational institutions. It is a relationship that can close the gap between cultural sensitivity and education.
Dr. Head, who states, “Our students are from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds,” issued a letter of apology and so did the professor.
Dr. Steve Head
Dr. Larry Rideaux
I don’t know if the flyer increased enrollment in her class, but it definitely increased Lone Star College as a conversational piece on Twitter and Facebook. How could someone create a flyer so culturally insensitive? What educational institution would approve such a thing?
And how should a community respond when images and words such as these give the appearance of disrespect for our contributions to American history? Well of course the first thing that we did was call the school’s president in an effort to obtain an explanation and to express the community concerns. It was through him that I learned that Lone Star College was an educational institution with approximately 80 percent Black, Hispanic and Other enrollment.
First, he used the term “minorities” which is one that I don’t necessarily agree with. However, the faculty at Lone Star College is 80 percent White. At this point things began to make sense.
When the overwhelming majority of your students are Black and Latino youth from the inner city and the overwhelming majority of your professors are Anglos from suburban and rural areas you are bound to run into some cultural barriers. While Conroe is only about a 20 minute drive from Acres Homes, the culture changes drastically on the other side of that 20 minute drive. But the question that we must ask is “are these cultural differences an impediment to the educational process?”
The Lone Star College System, is a “publicly supported, two-year, comprehensive community college system, involves diverse individuals, businesses, and the community in quality education opportunities for the successful development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes for a rapidly changing world.” And the system is not shy when it comes to putting people of color in key positions. Dr. Larry Rideaux was recently announced as one of two dean appointments for the Fall semester. Rideaux accepted the position of executive director/dean of the LSC-North Harris Greenspoint and Carver Centers.
When a people have survived a psychologically traumatizing ordeal like American slavery, unfortunately a high level of sensitivity becomes a part of their culture. It could be likened to the suffering of Jewish people under the sickness of Adolf Hitler and their cultural resolve that it should happen “never again.” Society handles the suffering of Jewish people very delicately.
Sometimes out of respect; sometimes out of fear. Black people are still going through a healing process. Slavery, racism, discrimination and injustice have raped us of a dignity that we held dear since the beginning of time.
Our suffering must be discussed, but it must be discussed in careful and delicate fashion lest one make a common chiropractic mistake. Just like if a chiropractor is not careful, he could further injure the very patient that he is trying help walk upright.
I eventually met with the Lone Star College System North Harris-President Dr. Steve Head, the Dean of Schools and a few other faculty members. The professor who created the flyer and teaches the course, was present as well. When I first saw the words and images on the flyer, I assumed that either someone was trying to make mockery of our sojourn in America or someone had become a little overzealous in an attempt to include “our community” in the course curriculum.
Nevertheless, it was what Obama calls a “boneheaded” error. In all fairness to the professor, you cannot have an honest discussion about American history without talking about the savage institution of slavery that helped to build this nation.
I, honestly, appreciate any professor who would have the courage to even bring it up. All we ask is that if you are going to talk about it; know what you are talking about. And if at some point you realize that you don’t, all you have to do is “ask somebody.”
This is the importance of community relationships with educational institutions. It is a relationship that can close the gap between cultural sensitivity and education.
Dr. Head, who states, “Our students are from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds,” issued a letter of apology and so did the professor.
Dr. Steve Head
Dr. Larry Rideaux
Spread The Word
3 Responses to "The Link Between Culture and Education"
|
said this on 29 Sep 2009 11:38:23 AM MST
It seems like Brother Muhammad is trying to use the professor's sincere attempt to acknowledge the troubled history of African Americans as a way to attack the school's attempt to educate students. I understand sensitivities run high because of the severely traumatic events that continue to happen, but how can any healing happen on both sides of the issue if one constituency reacts in a knee-jerk way? This article seems to place blame on the College and professor for trying to be inclusive in the way American history is taught. How can the "sensitivity problem" be solved if there cannot be a rational and factual discussion without succumbing to the aggression one feels at the slightest notion that someone is being disrespectful? Did anyone sit in the professor's class to hear what he/she was going to teach about? Did anyone offer such an approach before?
|
Author/Admin)|
said this on 30 Sep 2009 8:49:54 AM MST
The person that this is based on is an excellent professor and a wonderful person. She meant no harm, and although she should have looked more thoroughly at the flyer that would soon be posted, it is not completely her fault. The designer was not the professor; it was a person from the company that makes the flyers for Lone Star College. She would never be insensitive the way this flyer makes her out to be. In fact, the professor encourages her students to look past what text books teach us. She would never be one to say that black history only has to do with slavery. Rather than pay attention to this mistake, why not pay more attention to the bigger issues in this community or in the school?
|
|
said this on 30 Sep 2009 8:57:54 AM MST
The professor that is responsible for this article is my history teacher. She is one of the best history teachers I've had. She relates to everyone in the class. She teaches more than what the textbook says. I am sure that she never intended to make a mockery out of anyone. If anything, she is one of the most understanding professors at Carver Center and let alone Lone Star College that I’ve had. She actually gets you involved in history. I decided after the first day of class, I was going to take her for History 1302. She does not diverse to be blamed for the printing presses mistake.
|