Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/developing-a-cultural-disposition-in-teachers/5009052/
Multicultural education is now a household word in our profession, and it is common to see teachers planning environments and curriculums to reflect different cultural artifacts and celebrations. Still, I find myself discontent and responding with more sighs than cheers - "If only it were that simple."There are groans from other quarters as well. Last week I heard a director of a fine, accredited center lament, "Just when we think we've met the multicultural criteria, along comes another set of considerations." She ran down a list of terms still confusing to her: pro-diversity, anti-bias, inclusive and culturally relevant education. Indeed, these words reflect our continued efforts to get beyond the tokenizing and trivial pursuit of culture.
I have three quotes, all from unknown sources, over my desk:
To achieve a multicultural society, we must first preserve opportunities for cultures to thrive.
While multiculturalism is a value to positively embrace, it is not an adequate response to the living legacy of racism.
Bigotry fills voids left by fear, ignorance, and misinformation.
The complexities of culture, interwoven with our inherited biases and "isms," present us with some profoundly challenging work. I've watched some people throw their hands up in despair, ...