Talking Post --- Wise

 A Particularly Cheap White Whine:

Racism, Scholarships and the Manufacturing of White Victimhood

By Tim Wise

“Fact is, there are plenty of scholarships that have nothing to do with merit per se, but about which conservatives say nothing: scholarships for people who are left-handed, or kids whose parents sell Tupperware, or the children of horse- breeders, or descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, among many thousands of such awards (3). Apparently, it's OK to ensure opportunity for members of these groups, despite the fact that none of them have faced systemic oppression before, but it's the height of immorality to do the same for students of color, who have indeed faced explicitly racial obstacles in their lives.”

This quote reinforces what is being said. In the end it is so true. Why is there such controversy with scholarships that are orientated to those of a different race that need the money? While there are no controversies for those scholarships that deal with having a certain eye color or who write with a certain a hand. So can we argue that there aren’t unfair advantages being played out here.

“As for racism, it is typically defined in two ways, both as ideology and practice. In terms of ideology, racism is the belief in the inherent superiority/inferiority of one race to another, while institutionally it refers to policies, practices or procedures that have the effect of perpetuating systemic inequalities between the races, and which deny persons of a particular race equal opportunity with those of other races.”

This quote wraps up most of the idea that is being presented. Racism is both and ideology and a practice. It is this idea/thought that is represented through the practice of the people. So, in reflection to the quote above aren’t these scholarships just providing an even ground for everyone. It is presenting a balance and equality.

“…it will mean that even highly capable students will be locked out of opportunities, due solely to the disadvantages they have inherited due to racism…”

Having everything be based on SAT scores and the like makes it so there isn’t a variety within the school. It also diminishes the chance that students will be able to succeed. There are many students who are intelligent but when it comes to tests they get nervous and end up flailing. So in the end their SAT scores do not reflect them at all.

Front Of The Class - A True Story of a Man With Tourette Syndrome That Became a Teacher

Talking Point

In the Service of What?

The Politics of Service Learning

By Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer

“In addition to helping those they serve, such service learning activities seek to promote students' self-esteem, to develop higher-order thinking skills, to make use of multiple abilities, and to provide authentic learning experiences—all goals of current curriculum reform efforts.”

I agree with this quote. I think that service learning or even community service is beneficial for a student. But I believe that it works better when the student chooses what organization they will be helping. In this way they become more involved and will enjoy what they will be working to achieve.

“The distance between the one caring and the one cared for diminishes. Unfortunately, in many service activities, students view those they serve as clients rather than as a resource.”

I really liked this quote. No matter how hard we try to make a difference it is more beneficial when the one who is giving and caring interacts with those he or she is helping. This reminds me of that new show “Secret Millionaire.” That airs on ABC Sunday nights. The millionaires actually immerse themselves in towns that need help and interact with the citizens that live there. Later on they offer them money.

"In the service of what?" is a question that inevitably merits the attention of teachers, policy makers, and academicians who take seriously the idea that learning and service reinforce each other and should come together in America's schools.”

Again I agree with this quote. In order for there to be an accomplishment of any kind then there needs to be a gathering of minds. Many things cannot be achieved if everyone is fighting their own battles and fighting for what they believe is right. But when people collaborate and reach a unified decision it is easier to fight for it with many people on the same side.

I found this article to be straightforward. I agreed with a lot of what was said and I could relate to some of it. Especially since we are doing service learning now and I completed a project dealing with service learning during my sophomore year in high school.

Talking Point 4

Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us
By Linda Christensen

1. The author quotes Dorfman who wrote, "Although these stories are supposed to merely entertain us, they constantly give us a secret education...we are also taught how to succeed, how to love..." (128). This quote really struck me. As a child and even now my life has been surrounded by books and movies, as well as TV shows. To this day I still watch Disney and Pixar movies. I can agree with this statement that these movies are a form of "secret education." Children, as well as my younger self, grow up with the notion of true love and true love's first kiss. We strongly believe that when it comes to life and romance there will always be a happy ending. When it comes to the real world is this notion really possible?
2. When discussing Popeye the author writes, "that depicts all Arabs with the same face, same turban, same body-and they are all thieves swinging enormous swords" (130). I have actually seen this scene in Popeye when I was younger. But this is not only found in Popeye. It can also be seen in Peter Pan with the portrayal of Tiger Lilly and her family. These portrayals can easily be dismissed by children that are white but those of other ethnicities are not so privileged.
3. I really liked this quote, "...Both of these tales leave young women with two myths: Happiness means getting a man, and transformation from wretched conditions can be achieved through consumption-in their case, through new clothes and a new hairstyle" (133). Here is the image of women in these movies and their affect on children. In many of the well known fairytales there is a portrayal of the "damsel in distress" and a rescue by "prince charming". The women are seen as weak and unable to defend for themselves. On the other hand the men are seen as strong and invincible, they are the heroes. 
This writing to me was one of the best ones yet. I know that I will continue to watch Disney and Pixar movies. Yet I already find myself trying to analyze the shows and movies that I loved as a child.

ABCs Castle Recent Episode Controversy

here is the link to the article http://stkarnick.com/culture/2011/03/01/castle-episode-misunderstood-as-bigoted/