Educating for Diversity:

Essay number one-Professor Maria Escalante On Educating for Diversity: A Conversation with James A. Banks & Respect in the Classroom: Reflections of a Mexican-American Educator By Eva Midobuche A Comparison By Mitch Asinoff Spring, 2000

The articles were interesting. Comparing them was challenging because I never did a comparison essay before. The first similarity I noticed was that the authors share a goal: adapting the current ciriculum to make it more multi-cultural. The second similarity that I noticed was not as obvious: they make no attempt to camouflage their agenda. The third similarity I noticed was subtler than the second: both use light, but no heat to present their agenda.

The articles were informative. It was rather interesting the way the authors described their encounters being ‘English as second language teachers’ who surprisingly find Spanish…nauseating! As a big psychology buff who minored in it in college, I wonder why someone who obviously dislikes the language so would want to teach the people who speak it! I guess they think that they are on a mission-from-God to purify or assimilate the people. They may not be fully cognitive of their motives. Since we will probably never meet them, all we can do is speculate.

The first point is very clear: the authors share an agenda. They want to revise the curriculum to be more inclusive. Brooks suggested using a book entitled ‘Let the Circle Be Unbroken’, by Mildred Taylor as a starting point. “It would make a fine start toward improving fifth grade language arts,” he said. “Why stop at Black History Month?” he asked. Contributions from all different cultures should be- appreciated after all we are a nation of immigrants. Similarly, Professor Midobuche suggested that a teacher with a large Mexican student population should spend some time focusing on the contributions their ancestors made on the world through their culture. For example, they could discuss things such as the Aztec Calendar and its’ similarity to ours. It seems only natural to include the various cultures that contributed to making America the greatest nation in the world. People are literally dying to come here. Thus proving it is a great place to live. Since Midobuche is Mexican-American she naturally wants to incorporate her heritage; and why not? Everyone sees the Taco Bell commercials with the little dog on television. It is a multi-million dollar corporation. Why not educate people as to who invented the taco and when? If it gives Mexican-Americans a sense of pride over something positive they contributed to society, fantastic. What is wrong with making people feel good about their heritage? Who knows, maybe if school was more interesting students might come to class more often.

Interestingly, like Banks, Midobuche is very patient. Neither one is delusional about the speed of change in people’s thinking, or the curriculum. They know the road to change is so much longer than the famous ‘Jericho Mile’ (7 X 7). From a psychological perspective, I speculate it’s at least partly due to the fact that people have become so complacent that they resent and fear change because it threatens their comfort zone. For many, the fear of loss becomes greater than the anticipation of change. Educators are a product of their environment as much as anyone else. Many people grow-up with certain preconceived ideas about other races. I’d hope and at this point like to believe they are unconsciously emulating and perpetuating their prejudices.
The second thing I noticed was not so obvious. Perhaps I “caught-it” because my background is in Journalism, not education, unlike most of my colleagues? I was somewhat surprised by it. The authors make no attempt whatsoever to hide their agenda. It is on-the-table for anyone to critique. I am not used to seeing people so honest and so up front because of experiences that caused me to “prune my friend “tree” and reexamine my relationship with my parents. My brother, Howard, and I tease them by saying things such as they are ethically challenged, because they, like so many, people have an exceptionally long list of excuses to justify, rationalize and minimize things we all know to be wrong. We made a list of the top seven and call it the ‘Asinoff Amendments’. My mom came up with number three, my all-time “favorite”: Just because. But they are not alone, unfortunately. Many Jewish people eat pork in restaurants. But say it is okay because they are Kosher at home. Despite becoming a ‘Born-Again-Christian’, my neighbor was fornicating. She said it was okay because she was not baptized yet. It is so refreshing and surprising to see that the authors make no attempt to camouflage their agenda or send ambiguous messages.

The third point worthy of note is that they very calmly explain their position on a purely intellectual level. Interestingly, they do not generate a lot of publicity to their cause; perhaps, because they are both educators with “infinite” patience. They very calmly go about trying to implement some small change in their own quiet way. It is no easy task, especially while living in a world where journalism is sensationalism. People file frivolous lawsuits, opportunists and demagogues such as the Reverends Sharpton and Jackson masquerade as civil rights activists while seeking fame and fortune off others’ sufferings. It would be oh-so-tempting for them to create a scandal in the media concerning a ‘new’ discrimination being unknowingly imposed on minorities. With the mere click of a mouse they could use the internet to attract national attention to their cause virtually overnight. And have every the media and every opportunist and con artist camping-out at their door, willing to pay big money for their story. They could be millionaires by selling book rights and movie deals. Yet they refrain. I suppose it is because they are still honorable and optimistic enough to believe they will succeed if they are determined enough and persevere.

It is nice to know that there are still eternal optimists in the world, especially since I am so cynical. And firmly believe that no-good-deed-goes-unpunished. I even made up a shirt that says so. When I was in college my counselor, Thea said I was much too young to be so cynical. I asked her on what birthday do I wake up and decide it is okay to be cynical. Knowing she would be flabbergasted I instantly asked her if I have to be her age. It was a running joke for months. After considerable deliberation I decided that 18- was- old enough. If you can drive, marry, get credit, have children, pay taxes, vote and get drafted to die in a foreign land, you can be cynical. But you are never too young! Despite so many truly jaded people like me in the world, the authors just keep persevering.

Surprisingly, they do not spew hatred for anyone or anything, or preach violence, despite their own personal horror stories. It is encouraging to see someone turn a negative into a positive. This is not a minor accomplishment in a world where sensationalism has replaced journalism because the media is now run by huge corporations with one interest: the-bottom-line. The Chief-Executive-Officers must answer to their board of directors and stockholders each and every fiscal quarter. In earlier times it was run by journalists who believed integrity is more important than money; much as doctors v. HMOs. But that was a time long ago. A time before Time Warner was acquired by America On Line.

Both authors are extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter. They present some valid suggestions for improving. I wish them luck. If I were not so cynical I might admire their patience, determination and perseverance. Fortunately, life has granted them the wisdom, pragmatism, “patience-of-a-saint” and peace to accept the things they cannot change. They will need it to cope with the knowledge that they are dealing with bureaucracy that moves at three speeds: slow, slower and reverse!