The Threat of Cultural Pluralism

I believe that Multiculturalism is necessary in today's schools. I do not believe that all teachers understand "how" to teach a subject integrated with multiculturalism. Teachers create division among the students, faculty and school community when the line is crossed with respect to "how" to teach multiculturalism. The students in our schools today do not need additional help in causing conflict. I believe multiculturalism can reduce conflicts in the schools if taught correctly.


We give the topic names that change with the politically correct term of the day but the truth is we should teach the students compassion, acceptance and understanding of the various cultures around our world. We should never teach violence and separation to minds that absorb everything you have to teach.


Dr. Geraldine Campbell-Munn told me "We model, we teach and they act accordingly." She was one of my professors at Fayetteville State University in the School of Education. She taught diversity. I prefer this term to any I've heard. She was a very wise women with more guidance and information than any teacher could hope for. The one thing I will never forget is who I teach. She made sure we were well aware of just exactly "who" was in our classroom. I don't teach color of skin or religion, I teach children with baggage and disabilities. If I am lucky, I will teach a child that is absolutely normal. In my career as a teacher, I have never forgotten that. At times, I wish some of my peers had been given the opportunity to meet Dr. Munn. I fear that either they have forgotten or they had never learned the concept.


I have had the honor to work with some wonderful teachers. Mr. L. Patterson was one the best. He is now retired but I think of him often. Mr. Patterson did not acknowledge I existed for my first two years of teaching. We would pass in the hallway and I would say hello. He never responded. As a new teacher, I wondered what I had done to make him dislike me so much. In my third year of teaching, I relocated across the hall from Mr. Patterson. I dreaded the move but I did it and thought that if I just ignored him and focused on my students it would be alright.


The year began and I did not change a thing about my teaching, even with Mr. Patterson across the hall. After about five weeks, I was walking down the hall when I heard someone say " Why good morning Mrs. Reed. How are you today?" After what seemed like hours, I responded, "Just fine Mr. Patterson. And how are you?" I could not believe that Mr. Patterson had spoken to me. We began speaking most every day and I soon had the honor of calling him "L". I wanted to ask him what I had done but I never got the chance nor did I have to ask because "L" told me in a conversation.


"L" is a very intelligent, sophisticated and experienced teacher. He stood more than six feet tall and his stature was enough to terrify the bravest of men. "L" was also an African-American teacher in a predominantly African-American, low income school. I, on the other hand, was a middle class, white teacher new to both the school and the community. He did not know nor did he trust me with his students. I understand how "L" felt. He did not know how or what (if anything) I would teach these children. "L" had faith in most every child that walked into his classroom. He refused to let the circumstance limit the child with respect to life.


He had seen many a teacher come and go but I realized he only spoke to teachers that treated the students with the same respect that he did. I originally thought that "L" disliked me because of the color of my skin. As I got to know him, I understood that he was waiting to see if I saw the color of my student's skin. "L" suffered through much in his life. Things I could never imagine. He also witnessed changes he thought would never come. With everything "L" had seen in his many years, I would have done exactly the same thing if I were him.


I miss "L" and the other teachers at my old school. Each of them reinforced what I had been taught or taught me something new about teaching. I see teachers unable to work with diverse learners (academic or cultural). I see teachers that model separation versus unity within the school and community. I see teachers that need to meet "L" and Dr. Munn.


I choose not to utilize some of the terms in the course readings. Terms such as centrist and extremists, religious and ethnic groups bring a separation to the classroom that we can not afford. I teach Obama as a man and president. We do not discuss his race or party affiliation. We discuss his economic plan and his speeches. This teaches my students to look at "Who" the person is and "What" they stand for. In doing this, I teach the subject matter, acceptance, research, intellectual discussion and multiculturalism.


The students will rise to the occasion if we lay the foundation of expectations. I model how we behave in a civilized society. I teach the students how we interact in a civilized society. And, the students act accordingly. I enjoy watching my students debate causes and effects of various economic events in history or appropriate ethical behavior of business and political leaders. We discuss the impact on various cultures. We discuss the impact on the various income groups. The key words are that "we discuss". We never separate, degrade, or disrespect. We discuss all views. I feel this is teaching multiculturalism.