3/10/2020 0 Comments Single StoriesDue to my sheltered schooling experiences, I can say that it has shaped how I “read the world”. Throughout my schooling, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, I attended schools where white colored skin was prevalent. My best friend was Jamaican, but she was also the only person of color in my classes. I was not involved with diverse cultures and diversity throughout my schools because there was not a chance to be. Therefore, I was never able to learn and gain a better understanding of what that even meant. My schooling consisted of only public education, meaning that I was not involved with classes (religion/ethics) like some other education systems provide. I now struggle to relate to others when they speak about their values and religion as I was so sheltered. Along with fact that my schooling did not involve the students with special needs into our classrooms. So, I was never able to get to know and share schooling with others with disabilities. When schools do not give students the opportunities to bloom in several areas and to become diverse, it lowers the chances for those students to see and learn what is happening in real-life. I did however, have a very diverse upbringing, my parents allowed for my brother and I to learn that not everyone is the same. They would bring books home for us to read, involve us in activities with people of all cultures and we would spend time with people with disabilities. Although my schooling sheltered me, I was still able to experience the real- world around me. This provided me with an outlook on how fortunate and privileged I am.
I grew up with a typical white, happy family. Due to this, I was not able to experience the challenges and issues that some other families may go through. Chimamanda Adichie talked about how she grew up with books and stories that involved white, blue-eyed people and that she could not identify with the books she was presented with. Students in the classroom should always be able to see themselves in stories. Teachers need to provide books with real-life situations so they can make each child feel safe and welcomed. This will also help with celebrating diversity in the classroom. By allowing different perspectives and learnings will help reduce biases. It will also give a better understanding of the world around us.
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AuthorHey, it's Haley! |