The Silenced Dialogue

 Throughout this book written by Lisa Delpit, we start to make loads of connections with Alan Johnson. These stories are similar in some ways but different in others. They are both talking about privilege, power, and culture. They both have a sense of education society but do it in different ways. Delpits story is more surrounded by the fact non-white teachers are often found excluded. Delpits whole idea of this is to change students perspectives, she wants them to think in a positive way when it comes to the classroom. 

"Those with power are frequently less prepared." (pg24)

Throughout this quote, we can tell Delpit wants us not to hide what's going on. She makes a great point when saying those with more power seem to forget bout the bigger picture. They have everything in front of them they don't worry about anyone but themselves. They don't worry about what they say or do, they won't be hurt by it. 

Delpit mentions "Power of culture" many times. 

This forces a better understanding of education,  power repeating over and over again throughout this story. It gives us a good concept to the importance behind this. Changing everyones view on racism throughout schools would help not only the teachers but the students. 

Closing thoughts:

With the quotes presented in "The Silence Dialogue," we get a good understanding on the power through different cultures. In the United States, education has always been a state function, which means that it is not legal for the department of education to change the curriculum. For instance, in each state, each educator, would have to agree on what needs to be added or subtracted into the education system. Changing the curriculum would mean that teachers would have to make hard choices in order to go against their individual views. 

https://learn.cli.org/best-practices/classroom-culture-and-environment/culture/

Alan Johnson: Privilege, Power, and Difference

 In Alan Johnsons book, Privilege, Power, and Difference, something the author tries to lock into the readers head is that we are part of the problem. Society is the way it is these days because of the people in it. People don't realize that they are part of the problem. Johnson, in this book, emphasizes that they are the problem treating people unfairly. With everyone knowing that they are part of the unfair treatment, it makes it a lot easier to get a solution. 

Chapter 1: 

"If I succeed at that, then the meaning and emotional weight of concepts like "privilege" and "white racism" will soften and shift." 

I found this quote one of the most important in chapter 1 because before proposing this quote, he talked about what whites often experience when they come across some language. Then continues to follow up with this quote which is most important because it is what he wants us (the reader) to get out of this chapter. He tells us that language is very off-putting to some readers, he then goes on to say that certain words hold so much power, so they can't be used with the feelings put towards them. 

Chapter 2: 

"Its not that I have done something or thought bad or harbored bad ill will toward her because she's black and female. No, the problem is that in this world as it is, huge issues involving race and gender shape her life and mine in dramatically different ways." 

This was when he had a meeting with a female African American. I found this most important in this chapter because we have multiple views now. He started off by talking about the advantages he had because he was white. He then goes on to talk about the things he never has to worry about because of his gender, whereas she has to always be worried because she's a female and anything could happen to her at any time. 

Chapter 3: 

"There is nothing inherently frightening about what we don't know. If we feel afraid, it isn't what we don't know, that frightens us, it is what we think we do know." 

Chapter 3 talks a lot about what we don't know. It starts to make me question myself and what I actually do or don't know. The whole point about something being unknown is the fact it's all a big question. You never really know who or what is going to happen. Which is why the unknown have to make conclusions. 

Reflections: 

Its really nice to read about other peoples opinions on privilege. Personally, it helped me realize that there are people out there that don't make assumptions. I really enjoyed reading all three chapters of this book. 

About me

Baseball is one of my main hobbies. I play for the school and have been playing for a while now. I also love hanging out with my brothers and just mainly being outdoors. I have 4 of them, so sadly for my mom, it is a lot of craziness.