One cannot actually define culture without having a thorough understanding of race, ethnicity, social class, gender, world history, black history and sociology of the world. It is an illusion of inclusion that always has and will continue to be a hindrance of understanding a culture in the realm of education. People within different ethnic backgrounds defines what culture truly is. It’s a culture that people identify themselves, some conform to society 's values, while others do not; hence being labeled, chastised, ridiculed or even targeted by the so-called powers to be in mainstream society. Unfortunately, there has been a protracted effort and an on-going effort to make sure that African American culture is erased from the books of education.
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When a person speaks of multicultural education, he/she is articulating the changing demographics in America as it relates to education. Studies show the 46% of students in public schools will be black or brown by the year 2020, of which 20.1% will live in poverty (Banks, 1997). This is a fact that must not be overlooked. Much of the overt and covert national conflict about race, ethnicity, social class, and gender in the U. S. has been based in the mythology of a superior culture to which all others must be assimilated ("School of Education," n.d.). But who defines the so-called “superior culture”? It is this rhetoric that has created a great divide in this country for thousands of years and has only fueled aggression, antagonism, and resistance. Suppressing a culture only weakens a society and breeds hatred and …show more content…
Universities, colleges, public and private schools around the United States are always being challenged to define a diversity agenda and have the perception of inclusion to stress the importance of diversity in their school systems. Ensuring diversity in their school systems can only educate students on different cultures but also offers a better demonstration of advancement towards quantifiable diversity goals. Academic institutions seek diversity in the broadest sense and across the widest spectrum of definitions. Because our world is becoming more diverse every day, one must first have an open mind and a thorough understanding of what diversity means. The need to prepare young people to function in a diverse society and world is becoming more
When a person speaks of multicultural education, he/she is articulating the changing demographics in America as it relates to education. Studies show the 46% of students in public schools will be black or brown by the year 2020, of which 20.1% will live in poverty (Banks, 1997). This is a fact that must not be overlooked. Much of the overt and covert national conflict about race, ethnicity, social class, and gender in the U. S. has been based in the mythology of a superior culture to which all others must be assimilated ("School of Education," n.d.). But who defines the so-called “superior culture”? It is this rhetoric that has created a great divide in this country for thousands of years and has only fueled aggression, antagonism, and resistance. Suppressing a culture only weakens a society and breeds hatred and …show more content…
Universities, colleges, public and private schools around the United States are always being challenged to define a diversity agenda and have the perception of inclusion to stress the importance of diversity in their school systems. Ensuring diversity in their school systems can only educate students on different cultures but also offers a better demonstration of advancement towards quantifiable diversity goals. Academic institutions seek diversity in the broadest sense and across the widest spectrum of definitions. Because our world is becoming more diverse every day, one must first have an open mind and a thorough understanding of what diversity means. The need to prepare young people to function in a diverse society and world is becoming more