My identity chart has changed from the first chart I did this semester. The biggest changes have been the new roles that I have added to my chart. Things such as educator, life-long learner, and social change activist are new roles that have become very important to me over the last semester. My involvement in the community project as well as some of my classes this semester have influenced these changes. I believe that these have been positive changes and I hope that my identity chart continues to grow and improve as I become more involved.

Week FOurteen

This last week has been very hectic for me. Trying to finish all the papers and projects for my classes before the end of the semester has been very time consuming. I found the seminar presentation to be challenging as well. I have never added audio to a power point presentation before. I liked the fact that the paper allowed me an opportunity to reflect on my tutoring experience. The story that stood out to me in particular, my interaction with the parent, did not seem as important to me at the time the event occurred. After the class readings this semester though, I realized how important that experience was. I was able to connect my experience to the ideas that I have learned in class. The meaning of a bystander in particular became more evident to me. Over this past semester, the Shelby County and Memphis City school merger was a big issue. In many of my classes, this issue became a reoccurring discussion. I remember in one discussion post I shared that I felt I was unable to personally relate to the issue because I was not from Memphis and I did not currently have any family members in the school system. During my tutoring program though, I realized that I was impacted by the issue. The students I worked with would be affected by the merger and their success could be potential impacted by the outcome of the merger. I have learned that in the grand scheme of things, whether or not I am directly impacted by an issue, the effect that an issue has on those around me in my community while affect me as well. I have learned through this project that simply being a bystander because the issue is not about me is no longer an option. By becoming more aware of the social injustices in our society, I am learning that I have more power to make a change than I previously realized.

Week Thirteen

This week’s article focused on how a variety of experiences can impact a student’s literary learning before they even enter a school setting. One thing that stood out to me was the cultural impact that was mentioned in the article. The article shared that Amy was influenced by the mix of cultures that she was surrounded by: Her parent’s Asian heritage, the Canadian culture they currently exist in which is also influenced by a French presence in the country. All of these different cultures impact the way Amy learns as well as what she learns. Growing up in Belize, I could relate to the impact of different cultures on my learning experiences. A mix of cultures in Belize including Latino, Caribbean, and English influences, played a big role in my education. I feel that there are positive benefits to this. Unfortunately, when I came to Chicago I assimilated into American culture because I did not want to stand out or seem different from my peers. I was embarrassed of my cultural differences. In reflection, I wish that I did not do this. By having a variety of influences that, Amy will have a different experiences that she can use to her benefit. I really liked that the author shared that Amy literary education included practical examples, such as her father teaching her alphabets using everyday items. Amy also developed different traits from her informal learning experience that other children would not receive, such as the interpersonal skills she developed from speaking to customers or the work ethic she sees from her parents’ example. While these lessons may be learned in an unorthodox way, Amy can benefit from these experiences if her educators are able to recognize the importance of these experiences. This article reminded me of how important it is for me as an educator to take my students cultural experiences into consideration. The article highlighted some important issues that I have not considered before.

Week Twelve

I really enjoyed the article this week on “Scrap Mettle Soul.” I have not heard about this program in Chicago, but I thought that the premise of the organization was great. I shared in the discussion that my organization BlackSTARR used the arts to help students express themselves in a positive way. This allowed me to reflect on another way through which I believe social change can be created through art. I feel that hip hop would be a great example of this. A documentary created by Byron Hurt entitled “Beyond Beats and Rhymes” gives a historical explanation of Hip Hop. I was first introduced to this documentary through a BlackSTARR member and we  showed the film on campus followed by a discussion. Hurt shares that Hip Hop began after the development of an expressway that cut through the Bronx in New York, separating the Hispanics and Blacks from their White counter parts. Hip hop was a form of expression that shared the frustration and anger of the displaced minorities through dance and music. The four elements of hip hop culture include MCing, DJing, break dancing, and graffiti. Through each of these elements, young minorities were able to artistically express themselves. Hip Hop  allowed several generations to voice their concerns as well there anger. One artist in particular that stands out to me as a great example of this is 2Pac Shakur. 2Pac became the voice of a generation who felt as though he spoke to the discrimination they faced. One of my favorite songs, “Keep Ya Head Up”, is a perfect example of this. Hip hop has brought a voice to a silent group of people and great figures have come out of hip hop who are working to create a social change today.

Keep Ya Head Up lyrics

Verse One:]

Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots
I give a holler to my sisters on welfare
Tupac cares, and don't nobody else care
And uhh, I know they like to beat ya down a lot
When you come around the block brothas clown a lot
But please don't cry, dry your eyes, never let up
Forgive but don't forget, girl keep your head up
And when he tells you you ain't nuttin don't believe him
And if he can't learn to love you you should leave him
Cause sista you don't need him
And I ain't tryin to gas ya up, I just call em how I see em
You know it makes me unhappy (what's that)
When brothas make babies, and leave a young mother to be a pappy
And since we all came from a woman
Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman
I wonder why we take from our women
Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?
I think it's time to kill for our women
Time to heal our women, be real to our women
And if we don't we'll have a race of babies
That will hate the ladies, that make the babies
And since a man can't make one
He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one
So will the real men get up
I know you're fed up ladies, but keep your head up

[Chorus]

Keep ya head up, oooo child things are gonna get easier
ooooo child things are gonna get brighter [2x]

[Verse Two:]

Aiyyo, I remember Marvin Gaye, used to sing ta me
He had me feelin like black was tha thing to be
And suddenly tha ghetto didn't seem so tough
And though we had it rough, we always had enough
I huffed and puffed about my curfew and broke the rules
Ran with the local crew, and had a smoke or two
And I realize momma really paid the price
She nearly gave her life, to raise me right
And all I had ta give her was my pipe dream
Of how I'd rock the mic, and make it to tha bright screen
I'm tryin to make a dollar out of fifteen cents
It's hard to be legit and still pay tha rent
And in the end it seems I'm headin for tha pen
I try and find my friends, but they're blowin in the wind
Last night my buddy lost his whole family
It's gonna take the man in me to conquer this insanity
It seems tha rain'll never let up
I try to keep my head up, and still keep from gettin wet up
You know it's funny when it rains it pours
They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor
Say there ain't no hope for the youth and the truth is
it ain't no hope for tha future
And then they wonder why we crazy
I blame my mother, for turning my brother into a crack baby
We ain't meant to survive, cause it's a setup
And even though you're fed up
Huh, ya got to keep your head up

[Chorus]

[Verse Three:]

And uhh
To all the ladies havin babies on they own
I know it's kinda rough and you're feelin all alone
Daddy's long gone and he left you by ya lonesome
Thank the Lord for my kids, even if nobody else want em
Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I'm sure
And if you fall, stand tall and comeback for more
Cause ain't nuttin worse than when your son
wants to kno why his daddy don't love him no mo'
You can't complain you was dealt this
hell of a hand without a man, feelin helpless
Because there's too many things for you to deal with
Dying inside, but outside you're looking fearless
While tears, is rollin down your cheeks
Ya steady hopin things don't all down this week
Cause if it did, you couldn't take it, and don't blame me
I was given this world I didn't make it
And now my son's getten older and older and cold
From havin the world on his shoulders
While the rich kids is drivin Benz
I'm still tryin to hold on to my survivin friends
And it's crazy, it seems it'll never let up, but
please... you got to keep your head up

Week Eleven

               This week in the discussion post, I related a story about KKK activity that occurred on my campus. I had nearly forgotten about that incident until I read the chapter and that story came to mind. The “Culture of Distraction” that Loeb shares in this chapter is so evident to me after reading the chapter. One thing that I really like about technology these days is the easy and immediate access. At the same time though, the easy access can prove to be such a major distraction. For example, I am on my cell phone so much throughout the day. I can get on Facebook, check my e-mail, text friends, etc. At the same time, I can use my cell phone to keep abreast of current events and news. I rarely chose to do this. I often chose to allow so many different things to distract me from what is going on in the world. This past weekend I attempted to drive back to my undergraduate institution for an annual event that hosted by a student group on my campus. From Memphis to Normal, Il it is about a six hour drive. About two hours into the drive, I realized how immensely bored I was in the car by myself. My radio began losing its signal and I had nothing to occupy my time. I think that those six hours of driving was the longest amount of time I had spent by myself in several months. I text a friend later that night and I shared with him that I hated not having anything to distract me while I was driving. As we talked about it, he shared an idea with me that I felt was really true. He shared with me that he thinks people often times find different ways to distract themselves because they don’t want to spend alone time with themselves. TV, computers, games, cell phones, etc. serve as a distraction from dealing with the major issues in their lives that they want to avoid. I realized how true that was. In our society, it is very easy to become distracted. Reality TV, movies, books, Facebook, Twitter, etc. all become an easy escape. I realize that I log into Facebook several times a day to read other people’s status and engage myself in their drama so I won’t have to deal with my own personal issues. Watching reality TV or stay abreast of the latest drama in a celebrity’s life is far more interesting than dealing with the issues in my own community. I thought that this chapter was very enlightening for me because I was able to see how I allow distractions in my life to limit my ability to make changes in my personal community. As Loeb shared, it is so much easier to deal with the superficial. Dealing with the real issues forces you to take a good look at yourself and the role that you play in problem or the role you can potentially play in the solution.  

Lesson

This week, something that really touched me was the guest speaker.  I felt that he reminded me of Malcolm X, someone that I admire. I think what stood out to me both about the student and Malcolm X was there complete dedication to the ideals and beliefs that they had. I think that there are many people who can talk about what they believe in but there are not as many people who live and exemplify their beliefs in their actions.

The student talked about transformational learning and the way in which is re-learning of Islam impacted his actions. He quoted a verse from the Qu’ran and shared how the lesson he learned was manifested in him giving away his clothes except for the five pants and ten shirts.  I don’t think that there has been anything in my life thus far that I have believed in so whole-heartedly that a transformational learning has occurred within me. This semester I have felt as though the articles, chapter, and ideas we have discussed in the class have each raised excellent points. Some of these ideas I have applied to me readily. Other ideas I feel  are completely on point, but it seems so intimidating to follow through with the implementation of the ideals.

Malcolm X, for example, was a firm believer in the power of Black people. He recognized that Black people were fully capable of making a change in their lives. He preached about community, independence, honor, etc. He also exemplified these beliefs in the way he carried himself. He shared these ideas with those around him, whether or not they wanted to listen to him. I feel that I would be completely intimidated trying to speak to individuals about race or culture because many people feel that these are taboo issues that they do not want to discuss.

        I admire both the student and Malcolm X for not only their dedication but their belief in themselves. I think that sometimes I allow other people to shake my belief in myself and my ideas. I can become insecure in my own identity. This is something that I am currently trying to work on. Hopefully one day I will be just as passionate and dedicated as those two men.

Community Involvement

1.    Loeb suggests parents set models of community involvement or withdrawal for their children. What models would you like to exemplify for your children?

I want to set an example for my children that involvement in the community is EXPECTED of them. Wow, this really touches a never with me this week. There is an online magazine that I read, it’s called Clutch. It is targeted towards African American women. Over the past few weeks of reading the different articles and blogs, the idea of commitment to one’s community has been discussed several times. After reading one article in particular, a comment was made by a reader. She shared that she feels no commitment to anyone or any community, least of all her Black community. She reasoned that unless an individual was directly related to her, a close friend or boyfriend, she felt that she was not obligated to them and vice versa. That really bothered me!

          I strongly feel that we have an obligation to our communities. Whether this be your neighborhood, church, school, nation, etc., I feel that if we are not involved in our community and helping others to make a difference then how can we expect to live in the comforts that we have become accustomed to? Someone out there is helping us or doing something for us so that we can continue to live our lives. Someone is making sure that the water pumps are working so we can take a shower in the morning. Someone is cleaning the streets so that our neighborhoods look nice. Someone else making the clothes that we wear each day. When one of these things is not done or is not being done well, we see the effects of this.  How can we just sit aside and not attempt to make a difference then?

        I am currently not the most active person in my own community. Moving to a new area and trying balance graduate school has been really difficult for me. The adjustment has taken its toll on me in many ways, and my lack of involvement has been one area that was affected. At my undergraduate institution on the other hand, I was very involved and active in my campus community. As I reflect, I remember one day when one of my student organizations picked up trash in a neighborhood close to the school. At first, I was not looking forward to the experience. We were volunteering and had to get up really early in the morning, which I hate to do. But the experience was overall very interesting. I saw a friend of mine who was not involved in our organization, but he decided to help us anyways. I had some really interesting conversations with the members of our organization that day and learned some things about them that I may not have learned otherwise. One person even told us thank you for cleaning up the area. I didn’t realize the benefits that would come along with using one Saturday morning to pick up trash.

        I think that I want my children to realize that their involvement in the community is important and will actually impact someone, whether or not they are aware of it at that moment. I hope that I will not only be actively involved in my community but that my children will also be involved right along with me so that they can see my actions as well as hear my words.