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I just love reading this post, it is not mine. I got it from my friend’s website. I wish this woman will be in realm of Islam, Allahumma ameen, as she understands lots of thing from Islam..

To My Muslim Sisters

Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist “war on terror,” the Muslim world is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can’t help but notice that almost every woman I see is carrying a baby or has children around her. I see that though they are dressed modestly, their beauty still shines through. But it’s not just outer beauty that I notice. I also notice that I feel something strange inside me: I feel envy. I feel terrible for the horrible experiences and war crimes that the Lebanese people have suffered, being targeted by our common enemy. But I can’t help but admire your strength, your beauty, your modesty, and most of all, your happiness. Yes, it’s strange, but it occurred to me that even under constant bombardment, you still seemed happier than we are, because you were still living the natural lives of women. The way women have always lived since the beginning of time. It used to be that way in the West until the 1960s, when we were bombarded by the same enemy. Only we were not bombarded with actual munitions, but with subtle trickery and moral corruption.

They bombarded us Americans from Hollywood, instead of from fighter jets or with our own American-made tanks. They would like to bomb you in this way too, after they’ve finished bombing the infrastructure of your countries. I do not want this to happen to you. You will feel degraded, just like we do. You can avoid this kind of bombing if you will kindly listen to those of us who have already suffered serious casualties from their evil influence. Because everything you see coming out of Hollywood is a pack of lies, a distortion of reality, smoke and mirrors. They present casual sex as harmless recreation because they aim to destroy the moral fabric of the societies into which they beam their poisonous programming. I beg you not to drink their poison. There is no antidote for it once you have consumed it. You may recover partially, but you will never be the same. Better to avoid the poison altogether than to try to heal from the damage it causes.
They will try to tempt you with their titillating movies and music videos, falsely portraying us American women as happy and satisfied, proud of dressing like prostitutes, and content without families. Most of us are not happy, trust me. Millions of us are on anti-depressant medication, hate our jobs, and cry at night over the men who told us they loved us, then greedily used us and walked away. They would like to destroy your families and convince you to have fewer children. They do this by presenting marriage as a form of slavery, motherhood as a curse, and being modest and pure as old-fashioned. They want you to cheapen yourself and lose your faith. They are like the Serpent tempting Eve with the apple. Don’t bite.

I see you as precious gems, pure gold, or the “pearl of great value” spoken of in the Bible (Matthew 13: 45). All women are pearls of great value, but some of us have been deceived into doubting the value of our purity. Jesus said: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7: 6). Our pearls are priceless, but they convince us that they’re cheap. But trust me; there is no substitute for being able to look in the mirror and seeing purity, innocence and self-respect staring back at you. The fashions coming out of the Western sewer are designed to make you believe that your most valuable asset is your sexuality. But your beautiful dresses and veils are actually sexier than any Western fashion, because they cloak you in mystery and show self-respect and confidence. A woman’s sexuality should be guarded from unworthy eyes, since it should be your gift to the man who loves and respects you enough to marry you. And since your men are still manly warriors, they deserve no less than your best. Our men don’t even want purity anymore. They don’t recognize the pearl of great value, opting for the flashy rhinestone instead. Only to leave her too.

Your most valuable assets are your inner beauty, your innocence, and everything that makes you who you are. But I notice that some Muslim women push the limit and try to be as Western as possible, even while wearing a veil (with some of their hair showing). Why imitate women who already regret, or will soon regret, their lost virtue? There is no compensation for that loss. You are flawless diamonds. Don’t let them trick you into becoming rhinestones. Because everything you see in the fashion magazines and on Western television is a lie. It is Satan’s trap. It is fool’s gold.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, just in case you’re curious: pre-marital sex is not even that great. We gave our bodies to the men we were in love with, believing that that was the way to make them love us and want to marry us. Just as we had seen on television growing up. But without the security of marriage and the sure knowledge that he will always stay with us, it’s not even enjoyable! That’s the irony. It was just a waste. It leaves you in tears. Speaking as one woman to another, I believe that you understand that already. Because only a woman can truly understand what’s in another woman’s heart. We really are all alike. Our race, religion or nationalities do not matter. A woman’s heart is the same everywhere. We love. That’s what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love. Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman’s body and heart be safe to love. Don’t settle for anything less. It’s not worth it. You won’t even like it and you’ll like yourself even less afterwards. Then he’ll leave you.

Sin never pays. It always cheats you. Even though I have reclaimed my honor, there’s still no substitute for having never been dishonored in the first place. We Western women have been brainwashed into thinking that you Muslim women are oppressed. But truly, we are the ones who are oppressed; slaves to fashions that degrade us, obsessed with our weight, begging for love from men who do not want to grow up. Deep down inside, we know that we have been cheated. We secretly admire and envy you, although some of us will not admit it. Please do not look down on us or think that we like things the way they are. It’s not our fault. Most of us did not have fathers to protect us when we were young because our families have been destroyed. You know who is behind this plot. Don’t be fooled, my sisters. Don’t let them get you too. Stay innocent and pure. We Christian women need to see what life is really supposed to be like for women. We need you to set the example for us, because we are lost. Hold onto your purity. Remember: you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. So guard your “toothpaste” carefully!

I hope you receive this advice in the spirit in which it is intended: the spirit of friendship, respect, and admiration. From your Christian sister – with love.

?© 2006+ Joanna Francis
http://joannafrancis.wordpress.com

This book is about everything that I need to know about African American students. It is meaningful to me as I will have multiracial students when I go back home, so I will use her points of views to reflect back to my teaching and my students so that my classroom will be a ground where everybody is valued fairly. That is the essence of quality education. As a teacher, she/he must strive to provide equal educational opportunities to every of his/her students. It is a right for his/her students to get education and knowledge from him/her.

I started teaching in 2003, after completing my ESL degree. It looked easy but in fact it was not. Learning to be a teacher was totally different compared to being a teacher. As a fresh teacher, I realized the reality of teaching was not easy as it seems. This is a ground where I have to practice every theory that I learnt when I was a student. All the theories learned are not enough as I think it is a need to learn more. I might know my subject matter, everything related to ESL, but how about improving relationship with students that come from diversed background? How to get students attentions when we (my students and I) have so many things need to be settled and those things are whispering in our minds ? How to make them engage with the lessons? I am thankful as reading this book put me into a right track and I realize there is so much to be done as it conveys lots of information that is very beneficial.

This book is an effort by a multiculturalist, an experienced teacher who is giving practical guidance to us based on her life journey. The objective of the book is very clear as I understand that our jobs (as teachers) are to implement and improve the academic achievement of African American students and students of color. Her points of views are valid as she has the omniscient point of views or God’s eyes. The reasons are simple as first, she is a Black American. Her experience is reliable, as she is the one who held world view as the one that encounter racism, feel it within her veins, mind and soul either in the past or present. Secondly, she is a teacher. She sees what happen in school, she sees what are the things are practiced at schools. What else can I say about this! This book outlines steps by steps need to be taken by teachers to make education equalities is everybody rights. It is taken from her perspectives. As a teacher we need to reflect and put her experience to fit into our daily practices. Furthermore, I suggest this book should be a recommended reading not just for teachers, social worker, university students and etc, but importantly to be read by policy makers that directly involve with education.

Also, it is about realizing different dimensions of our attitudes towards racism issue. No one can claim that he/she is not racist. Our capabilities to analyze and look into perspective and dimensions of her participants make us realize that having prejudice perspectives is part of us. That is a scary part of us, but it gives hope as she will refute one by one these wrong perspectives. These parts give relief to me as it gives me hope not to be into a group promoting racism and what to avoid when talking to anybody as racial slur is hurting. It makes me realizes too that we are being dishonest to ourselves as we believe we advocate the color blind perspective. Those who say/claim that he/she is a color blind in fact are the one that needs help. In fact for those teachers who refuse to seek in service development for their students of colors show they do not deserve a place to be a teacher. It shows how selfish the teacher is, refusing to sit into this kind of course shows what matters most is myself (the teacher) not the students. In fact, when they refuse after where giving valid reasons, it shows how close the mind are, by creating barriers of truth to go into their mind by rejecting it. They are dead already, their inside are rotten by self proclaimed that “I had nothing to do with racism”. He or she is afraid to face their own issues, they afraid to do self examination.”

Again and again, it is a must to involve in the process of checking our beliefs, attitudes and behaviors towards the schooling experiences of students of colors. Our students belong to us. Without them who are we? WE are in fact in need of them, as without students, teachers are jobless.

This is my definitive statement that I want my reader to agree with. I believe all students can learn, White or Black, colored on non colored (Is non colored really exist? I don’t think any human does not have color or transparent (like pure water) that we can see their bloods, livers and veins J ). Black and students of colors do not succeed academically in school due to inert racism that occurs directly or indirectly to them. As racism is lethal, it kills students from inside, slowly by first disrupting motivation of them to hate schools, teachers, and make them to find alternative (usually bad) to prove that they have a place. School is no place for them as they don’t receive self recognition. It pushes them down. From this scenario, we need millions of Mrs. Tessem in every classroom. Millions of Mrs. Tessem will create another millions of students like her too. This is among the ways to win the war against racism, in the field of education.

Chapter 9 mentions about controversial issues when it comes to teach Black students. This means the mistakes (realizing or not, it is) that teachers always do when teaching colored students. I learn from the chapter that that I need to made a clear distinction towards multiracial students of whom they are when I teach later on. I can not make generalization. This is what I learnt from chapter 9 as it can be controversial issues. It is due to the fact that although there are many similarities, but I have to realize that my students are unique, they have their own cultural differences, so to assume that they share/have the same heritage is unfair to them. This is related to their self concept and self image and indirectly means their pride. The two things that they bring everywhere they go. This can be helped to avoid confusion and offending students too. For example, Black students from Africa are different from Black American students. Their skins might look the same, but both students have very distinct features. These differences that teacher need to realize and aware off.

Name calling is a second taboo. It is based on cognitive bias, illogical and can create disaster to teachers. It can lead to the existing of prejudices even the teacher means no harm by doing that, may be for joking purpose. It can be interpret into many things resulted in misunderstanding and quarrel or the worst is hatred. Students will hate teachers that call them by that. How about if the damage had been done? What should the teacher do? In my opinion, it is good for the teacher to say sorry ,apologize and at the same time explaining to other students why he was offended as it will be “an opportunity for growth” towards his/her students. Will it lose the teacher dignity by asking for forgiveness? I don’t think so. I believe students will respect more those who know their mistakes.

When I read the particular chapter about “Why Are African Americans so Loud”, it gives me another important point that it is wrong to assume again. The writer explains in details, which is new information to me. Usually, when heard students speak too loudly, we will assume that a trouble is happening. It is best to investigate first, as it might be that they are joking or it is the way how students are being brought up. It is very interesting to note here when Thompson mention that African Americans speak loudly in order to be heard or to get attention. It is rooted from history due to the fact that they had been ignored, and their voices are not being heard. It is a painful irony and at the same time, I feel unfair whenever a black guy raise his voice, it is associated with anger instead of an effort to make a point. However, this double standard scenario does not exists when a white guy speaks out loud, regardless of what the intention is. Again, this double standard persists because most of us like to assume. A friend once asked me the reason of Chinese talking loudly especially in restaurants. For those who don’t know will make assumptions that they do not have manners but if we look closely into their language we will realize that it is due to their language that has 4 syllables (stress patterns) for one word. For example, for the word ma, it has ma, ma, ma and ma. All these fours have different meaning. So the listener has to listen carefully and the speaker has to speak loud and clear to make the listener understand, especially in an Asian restaurant that usually is noisy and chaotic.

I will put the blame on teachers and media for saying a particular race has problem in terms of attitude. Like what she mentions in page 221, her friends say some “black kids are bad!”. She counters this stereotyping by saying” some White kids, Asians kids, and Latino kids are bad too!” I agree with her and at the same time I don’t want to deny Smiley experienced on Black kid, but before he can say that, it is important to mention in a specific way rather than saying it in general. I agree with her when Thompson encountered that by saying some White kids, Asians kids, and Latino kids are bad too!”

This kind of idea must be defeated as what ever teacher says sometimes is powerful than media. It can happen when a stereotype teacher gives any comments about students from particular race at school. His points of views will be used by others to continue this false belief as students will look and listen closely to what teachers say. This will be point of reference for them especially to students that do not have to think critically of what ever statements that he/she hear from teachers and perceive it as absolute truth. That happens to kindergarten kids especially.

I am concerned about this issue because there might be a teacher that says particular students from particular race/group are lazy. I think rather than we conclude into generalization, and we can suggest that, “Not all of them are lazy, you are making a judgment and your judgment is wrong because you are putting every XYZ students into your naïve and shallow conclusion. Furthermore, that hypothesis might apply to your case only.” We can further ask this question to avoid generalization and stereotyping ( if committed) by saying and challenging those who say that, “On what basis are you saying that? Is it due to your inept ability to catch their attention?”. I know this is too direct but we sometimes need this approach to stop it as I believe, the only way is to engage them in critical question answer session so that they will think twice before saying anything.

Actually this is the same when it applies to black students too (in fact to every students, black, colored or not), Have we teachers fulfill and grab their attention? Have we checked what’s the real culprit making them like that? Is it not our job to ensure that they stay interested in our classroom? What have we done to ensure that? These are the questions that we should give to ourselves first too besides to those that like to put shallow judgments and conclusion based on a very limited worldview. Also sometimes we should ask them to think that, “Why must we give up easily on them and not to OUR sons/daughters? Is it due to blood relationship that establish between we and our off springs make them less value for us to understand and concerned about them?

History is created by those in power. That’s why then students of color really need a culturally relevant education due to the fact that they don’t have role model in their text books. What is provided for them are other heroes whose are different from theirs and not relevant at all, so to establish connection is difficult for them as they can’t find similarities. Tokenism is wrong, as students of colors need to know the contributions of people of their color, it is a part of culture, it happen everyday and it is not particularly happen on a particular event or month only. I believe, students of color will be more interested and focus to present their heroes or their literature as it is meaningful and make sense to them. This is what I learn from chapter 8. After doing my first assignment, then I do realize that racism exist in my society. Before coming here, or doing that particular assignment, I just simply don’t care. I am lucky and thankful as I have the opportunity to learn this subject. It helps me to believe that there is a need to improve education in Malaysia based on Bennett’s four components of multicultural education which are the movement towards equity, curriculum reform, the process of becoming interculturally competent and lastly the commitment to combat prejudice and discrimination, especially racism. It is a must as well to make teachers understand that multicultural education has its own value. In my opinion, it helps to challenge the status quo and those who are reluctant to face racism. I believe for Malays who are in favour for Malay Supremacy Hypothesis (I hate and don’t want to say it Theory or Principle or Concept) will call me traitor. They might character assassinate me if they found my principle is flawless as they don’t find anything to go against me. I guess that’s the best they can do, but why should I care about them!! I will not stop as I realize, putting thousands of arguments and reasons are helpless towards them because they are like Thomson students who refuse because of their ego to accept the truth. They resented the fact that Thompson is a black woman that made them read that book. I wonder what if I am their mother, will they hate or ignore me, yes, they will..!!

Reading her story of how she accuses her instructor for being racist make me realize that it is a need to reach for educational opportunity through curriculum. This is another lesson that I learn from this book. In reality, her teacher had not done so but she persisted believing that because of her ignorance and confusion due to the long story of racist history, until students do not know when a negative experience stems from racism and when it is from another source. It might be from bad manners, having stressful day or purely having bad day. Indeed I need to know how to differentiate these as well to avoid me giving false perceptions as I don’t want to be naïve and have limited frame of reference too.

I like Thompson’s strategy to deal with students who use the N word in Class. First, by explaining the rules, it gives you a staunch position that any kind of prejudice statement uttered by our students will not be tolerated. It gives signal to students not to abuse teacher respect towards them. At the same time, it is important to tell our students that Teachers are bounded by this rule. This will create an understanding to my students that we are equal when it comes to this matter. I can see that the strategy is not limited just to the N word, but it can be used to any improper actions done by students too. Confer the students privately give us ( teacher) opportunity to speak to them, and at the same time, giving us chance to investigate why the behavior happens. Usually it will reflect a lot of things as I found as well in this book written that, a problem that is created by student is actually a cry of help. This is powerful, as well as the methods by Thompson, it is killing two birds with a stone.

When she speaks about Ebonics, it reminiscent me of my experience when I was in school. In Malaysia, at school we must speak standard Malay language at school regardless of where we come from. I come from a state which has its own dialect which is totally alien to other Malaysians. When I was 9 years old, we had a choir practice; I came to join to try my luck. When the auditioned performed, I sang together with my friend, but soon, the music teacher stopped it because he heard a different tone, which was my dialect. He knew it was me, and asked me to stop singing because it would affect others. He asked me to step out from the choir. I know it was a right thing to do in order to have a good choir team, but I just feel ashamed. My friends laughed at me, I wish he read this book as he wouldn’t leave the students clueless. I believe it will be good if he could explain to me and to my friends as well. Anyway, the past is past. It is important not to repeat again the mistake, Students language must be respected, because it involves their origins, their culture which is inside, where their dignity lies. At the same time, students need to understand that it is important to master Standard Language as this will empower / as a source to gain something beneficial later on in this life.

As I started this book from the last chapter, I have been guessing a lot about the writer’s ideas of this book. This book tells me lots about how to be a good teacher. The advises, the ideas are superb. Compared to Tatum’s book, it tells lots about racism as a system, but this book is more on the strategies and approaches that must be used by teachers to stop racism at school. I am comparing these two writers background actually. In fact, I was predicting about Thompson that she must be lucky having being brought up in a family that manage to go through a good college education. Actually I was putting the image of Dr Tatum for Thompson. Later, my hypothesis was proven wrong as soon I finished chapter 4. I was amazed by her adversity to go through obstacles in her life which to me were very challenging. If I were in her place, I think I would have given up, ending up nowhere. She amazed me. She did not give up along the course of her life and she is a living proof that a black can be successful. I must not give up too. She inspires me.

I believe she is the reflection of her great teacher, Mrs Tessems. The great teacher, Mrs Tessems realize that lots of children come from difficult homes, and she purposely chooses to pick up students from that background to change their life. She believes the powerful tool of education which will change the course of students life’s. They won’t stay in the vicious cycles of life. It is out of our control but during the school days is the place where we can give hopes in order for them to have motivation and to act upon it in order to change, to get out the vicious cycle of life. The choice is in our hands. Sometimes, we feel that it is useless but if we put it this way, like what Mrs Tessems and Thompson do, I believe it will fall upon our perspective. I change upon reading Jones, Tatum and Thompson’s books, and I am indebted to their teachers who taught and educate them. I will put these three notions that I reflect from her goals in chapter 4. Firstly, teacher can have a positive impact to fight racism though it puts him/her in vain position/circumstances. There might be students/other teachers that neglect his/her notion, but soon it will bear its fruits as fighting against racism is a powerful message and influential in many ways that we never think of it. They will always be beside us that will support this struggle. Secondly, among our supporters (students usually) who support this cause, someday and somehow, regardless of their backgrounds, will bring together this effort/success into reality as they understand the message clearly. Thirdly, our tasks (as a teacher) is not to neglect them (our students), we must bring them together to reach success so that this effort won’t die with us. Our students are our assets including underachievers, students with discipline problems and challenging backgrounds, and towards them, our effort must be double because these students usually will bring impact to society( if they succeed). Thompson proves me right, because she brings change from her experiences and compiling it all in this book so that millions can read, understand and act upon it.

I believe, however good facilities and resources that we might have, without proper management skills, it is doomed for failure. This notion goes to every field in this life. I have seen my uncle business shattered to pieces of glass as he failed to manage his financial strengths. It goes the same with teaching, as teaching does not depend solely on teacher and students’ relationship only; it needs proper planning, well instructed curriculum, challenging exercises that are valid and reliable and many more. In order to put all of these things into practices, management skills play its roles here. It is very helpful to put efficacy into practices when dealing with students. Teachers of course need to be in control in classroom as lots of educational motives need to be achieved at the end of every lesson.

If a teacher managed to put all of the above into spectrum, that shows a good indication. However, the utmost skill that teacher really needs is what Thompson said in chapter 3, which is being able to differentiate different types of behaviors that exists in school setting. Teacher needs to know which one is dangerous for others (including him and other students) and which actions/behaviors that still can be improved? This is to avoid wasting energy combating them uselessly and at the same time knowing and having strategy to encounter the problem swiftly and successfully. This is what I learnt from my experience too where I have to hand in over my own student to a counselor. Furthermore, I don’t have suitable skills to encounter with a problem that needs an expert like psychologist or counselor. I like Thompson’s statement in page 104 that she mentions, “teachers must do their very best but realize they can not save the world. They can, however, choose to have a powerful impact on the lives of their students.

As in chapter two, I just love the eighteen strategies with students of color that she puts into table 2.1. I love it because she supplies comments that make them more realistic, having guidance on how to achieve the strategies successfully. For example, the first strategy said that you must let students know you care, how to achieve that actually? So, in her comment, she said that a teacher must make it clear that teacher really care about their welfare. I understand this as it won’t be just a lip service only. It is like when the strategies say that a teacher must get to know students on a personal level but how to achieve this. She put it in her comments that teacher must do his/her homework by doing that early in the school year as soon as possible, get to know them and at the same time being able to get to know their potential of academic success and creativity. Overall, this chapter is more to cultivate a notion that a good teacher will always find ways regardless how big the obstacles are, because good teachers do not have the word “give up” in their daily dictionary. As for me, I will forever remember my Miss Tesstems, she is my Math teacher, Puan Noraini Ahmad.

Last but not least, here we arrive at chapter One. I shut down to read it first because I just hate reading the Deficit Deprivation Theory which come first and I think is illogical, so I read the whole book from the last chapter instead of the first. I wonder why it is called a theory. It must be called a myth. Accepting it as theory is disgraceful and disrespectful for those who are in academic world. In fact, the word theory in that particular Deficit Deprivation “Theory” must be replaced with Myth because when some one believes it as a theory, it is considered a fact. Seriously, I clenched my fists as I read this theory. However, looking at the other theories put me into realization that we need to be careful to adapt/agree to any theories related to any races as they can bring far reaching consequences that will affect our attitudes later on especially towards our students. In conclusion, I love this book, the writer and the teacher that ask me to read it. Thank you.

Nothing much happened today, as I am struggling finishing up my reading on Racism. This time I have to submit my reflection on Gail L. Thompson book titled; ” Through Ebony Eyes: What teachers need to know but are afraid to ask about African- American students”.

I invited few friends for dinner this coming Sunday, all of them are sisters as my wife will conduct it.

I sigh a lot due to excessive tiredness, thinking of books that I have to finish up. At the same time thinking about my  books that I suppose to write. I have not touched them for months.

Outside, wind is strong, I wonder when the snows will come as Nebraska is embracing by them. Will it next week. As for preparation, I think we are ahead two weeks, but I have to buy a burner, who knows electricity might go off during the coming ice storm, nauzubillah.

I gain so much weight, no exercise this late hour of end of semester. Busy.

Be careful, be careful and be careful.. ( ini ingat sendiri sebab aku sendiri tak mahu cerita, ianya berkaitan dengan Q2 permintaan kawan yang ingin membuka jaringan, juga menjawab persoalan aku kenapa ianya tidak diupdate untuk sekian lama, ianya juga berkaitan dengan penganalisaan terhadap diri sendiri dan daya reflektif sekeliling utk mencari hawari hawari yang boleh membantu, hingga kini tidak ku temui..sigh…mengeluh..)

Juga some planning for Irfan. I learn from Dr Mustaqi, actually from my observation that Education is everything. He is smart indeed, patutlah lecturer engines civil kat UPM sebagaimana yang dikatakan olehnya ada banyak tak puas hati, sebab critical..heheheh…

oh, aku kira musim penghijrahan telah berakhir bagi burung burung di kawasan Northern Hemisphere ini, ternyata, sebenarnya tidak.. beberapa minit lagi kedengaran di angkasa burung burung itu bersuara seperti angsa lelah..memang angsa agaknya..kadang kadang takut juga aku apabila mengingatkan terjadinya peristiwa Tsunami di Acheh, di mana haiwan haiwan lari dahulu..Nauzubillah..

dan hari ni aku kira hari terakhir aku menggunakan Facebook dan Yahoo Messenger. Insha Allah , ameen..

“Our nation is moving toward two societies, one

Black, one White-separate and unequal. What

White Americans have never fully understood –

but what the Negro can never forget- is that White

Society is deeply implicated in the ghetto.

White institutions created it, White institutions

maintain it, and white society condones it. White

racism is essentially responsible for the explosive

mixture which has been accumulating in our cities

since the end of World War II”

(National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorder,1968)¹

After reading this book, it is important for me to tell you that I don’t like definition of race itself. What I mean is to put human into race category. It is fine to put animals into their own domains, followed by kingdoms as they have many species and subspecies. Does human have that? Am I from subspecies? Or Is Malay people a subspecies from Melanesian group? Scientifically, we can put animals into subspecies categories as they mate with their own subspecies. As human, are race considered as subspecies? Malays vs. Arabs, Jews vs. Aryan and Black vs. White? Human mate with human and all human are Homo sapiens. There are no subspecies of Homo sapiens. I am not alone in this notion as many scientists (especially biologist) support me that it is wrong to consider/perceive human in category of race as we are all Homo sapiens. Race taxonomic should be avoided as we have the same anatomical features and the things that differ are the color and the size of the features (i.e. tall; color of eyes, hair and skin). Their functionalities never changed. The definition of race is usually defined based on culture, geography, religious, anatomical and etc. So, what makes others more equal than us? I know some people claim they are more equal than us by calling us alien in letters. I perceive them as those who don’t sit for Multicultural Education when they were in universities. This book is about self exploration of our own self even though it talks about Black kids. I manage to make my own reflection and self examination. This book is a reality definition of race, the writer experiences.

I would like to explain further on philosophy of mating differences between human and animals. This is important to put here, as I believe, it will eradicate the superiority feelings that we have upon others. As I explain before, we were born from our parents. That is due to a process that is called sex. We are from sperms and ovaries. Naturally, parents will love their offspring because they are from the seeds of love. Realizing we are all from the same process, I wonder what makes some of us think that they are superior to others. Regardless of race; human’s blood, flesh and even male sperms have the same colors. I wonder rather than we view on our color skins differences, why don’t we view on what is inside our brain and how does our skull looks like? Still, why skin color is the major issue?

I have so many feelings after finishing this book. Before I explain my feelings, I have three related stories. I have kept this for so long and I don’t want to keep silence about it anymore as it will haunt me again and again. It is important for me to tell because the feeling of resentment and angry go together, and luckily, the best way to let them go is by breaking the silence. Thanks to Tatum for convincing me to let go the despair deep down in me. Thank you for making it required reading response to me as it is very valuable. You may share this story to your students, as I believe everybody have a sphere of influence. I will propagate my sphere of influence that racism must be stopped on whatever cost as it is dehumanizing. Your sphere of influence will be your students and others around you. My sphere of influence will be my students, trained teachers and Malaysian government officers when I go back. I believe we are all educators. We will be the social change agents that will commit themselves to create crème de la cream. I will create crème de la crème future teachers. I don’t want my product to be as exactly as Malcolm X teacher, a true culprit character in the book. I don’t want to be associated/related with him/her as I against racism at all cost.

I feel sad when the teacher of Malcolm X told him that the only work suitable for him is to be a carpenter instead of lawyer. The moment the teacher said that, it was a doomsday for him. He reacted negatively, playing truancy and later on involving with gangs. If I were in his position, I’d tend to react the same way as he did. It was a rebellious age and stage. Further more, at that age with the situation that is so unfair and prejudice towards Black, he did not realize that he had enough role models. How could he have it? His worldviews had been suppressed in a systemic racism. I believe as he excelled in his class, the teacher might be his role model. Then, it turned out to be his teacher is the one that broke all his dreams. Malcolm X couldn’t think in a correct way as kid’s world view was very limited. Was there a fair and neutral social worker to guide him? Did the school provide career workshop for “every student” as what we have in KSU nowadays? I don’t think so. He tried to prove that the teacher was wrong in negative ways. He challenged the teacher. Indeed Malcolm X‘s teacher tarnished the image of producer of crème de la crème.

It is very important to have role model. It is a need as it will create a success path on how you are going to achieve by following the role model. It is not just to Black American, it is for everybody. It will create targets to achieve. It is a positive reinforcement within, a strong motivation. How about black youth? Are they lack of role model? They have many role models. The problem is not so many White realize about this. Due to this, they tend to make stereotyping towards blacks. They associate Black negatively. Stereotyping is dangerous to be committed to any groups of people. It is based on distorted points of views. It is a shallow judgment. It is a lethal weapon as it kills hopes we put on problematic teenagers. It is a vicious cycle of racism too. If we still continue putting stereotyping towards particular groups, racism will be alive and fertile. That happens because it will convey from mouth to mouth. When someone in the group that always becoming victims of stereotyping want to apply for a job, he wont be accepted as an employee because the employer has bad/stereotyping world view on that particular race,. I can say this because it happens in my country, in fact in my hometown (from Kelantan), where we don’t like to mingle with others from different states because of our dialect is different. In reality, it is not.

I used to stay in apartment owned by Mc Cullough Development. It is in Osage Street, very near to Manhattan City Park. I chose to stay there because the rent is quite good, the house is half furnished and importantly, it is close to KSU and playground. It will be very helpful for my wife as it is a walking distance to university and good to my son because I can bring him to spend his time there (city park). Most of the renters are undergraduate students, they have parties every weekend. I don’t bother about it as I am a Muslim, and I don’t associate myself with that. It is fine as long as my family is not in trouble. One Sunday morning, I got a notice put it on my door from custodial cleaner not to make mess by letting the cigarette buts or garbage such as beer bottles (parties left over) below the stairs. In fact it was a second notice I received from them. The first one was two weeks prior to this notice. The thing that really pissed me off was I was the only one that received the notice. I went up to see my neighbor’s door, checking if they receive the same notice as me. It turned out; none of our neighbors have the notice on their doors! I was pretty sure we were the only one that received it because they usually wake up late the next day after the late partying. Why must I take the blame for the “crime” I did not do? Never in my life have I smoked or drink or going to a pub as it is not permissible in my religion. Why Jane did not bother to check about it first? Or does she associate me with dirtiness and garbage?

Another incidence was when a policeman came over to my house because he claimed he received a call from our house landline. He said there was a problem in my house. What was the problem then? Am I the problem because I, the Muslim doesn’t drink and have party on weekend? The best thing about it was we don’t even have a landline. We only use hand phones. That makes me wonder up until today. He asked for my identification. I gave him my Visa and my I-94 form. After that, he just left. He left us clueless. Who made a call at the first place? My ex naughty student from Malaysia telling the policeman here that there was a terrorist residing in Apt.4? I believe it would be more dramatic and suspense if the caller told the policeman, the best buddy of Bin Laden was there, preparing another attack to American soil. The third incidence was in the library, I went to complain because they sent me email to ask me to pay USD 5 for late fees of not returning a book. As I remembered, I sent it on time, the same day by putting it inside the drop book box. She asked me when I returned it, and then commenting due to a rainy day. That was okay for me until she uttered, “You are forgiven”. I was perplexed, it happened so fast. Did I do something wrong that I should be forgiven? I don’t think she will say that to me if I’m blonde, tall, speak native English or have greenish eyes. I believe that happened because I don’t look White.

All of these incidents were committed by White. I believe if I talk or file complains about this to them, they will have thousands of excuses to invalidate it as what David did to Victor in The Color of Fear movie. I don’t care about it anymore. I don’t want to leave the feeling unattended as it is dangerous to my being as a whole. That’s why I put it here. You know, I wish I can turn the clock back to give damn good answer as what Victor did. I believe by doing that, I am helping the White actually, by breaking their fear of their own shadows. What I mean by shadow here is the “now” that was built upon the bones of others. That was history, but we must bring the history to learn how not to live based upon the bad of the past.

Can I say the problem happens due to imposing world view to others? I notice that this happen because they tend to be dominant. They believe their culture is dominant. The nature of dominant is they will impose it upon others. For example, as a matter of fact, beauty is defined from their perspectives through the powerful media. They control the media as they control the world economy. For example, if you notice, in many advertisements related to women, most of the women are portrayed as having green eyes, sharp nose, big chest, blonde, slim and thin. This is what I view as exploitation towards women. What a real oppressor, not just the people of color becomes victims, now they address the targets to the whole mass by imposing it through media. What concern me is what about teenage girls that do not have to be the above features. Are they then considered ugly? Perhaps, media and advertisement should focus on what is inside, should be explained and giving examples that what matter most is heart. Thus, I believe Miss Universe should be abolished at all as it is more to sexual progressive exploitation towards women.

They also want to be heard and this is detrimental to any other culture that is reverse to them. They will see it as not important. They will see it as alien.

I learnt from this book that it is wrong to invalidate people feelings. I always do this. This shows I am selfish. My world view is important but this belief is absurd and wrong. I don’t want to be oppressors as this will make them feel hopeless as it shows that we don’t understand them. Sometimes, they don’t want us to understand them, but it is important to listen to their voices within. It shows as well by not listening is the act of ignorant and insensitive of others. I am going to be a teacher, my multiracial students will turn to someone else in order to be heard, someone that can understand their perspective. I don’t want that to happen because my students are my priority. I am thinking about what will happen if they not just turn to someone else but rather completely shut down as what Malcolm X did. As teacher, I need to give them hopes.

We must go against the racism by putting emphasis on certain things. First and foremost, it is important to talk about it, because it will help to break the silence. It is to raise the consciousness so that there will be and can be lead to effective action and social change. Don’t worry about it as it will always have followers for it. Lots of us have fears and we need to fight it. Self exploration of knowing the reasons we have fear is important as it will help us to combat the fear itself. It is important to realize as well that our first fear is ourselves. If we are not prepared to face our own fear, that we are not willing to let go our own racist belief and ego, it will be nowhere. You can put thousands reasons for it but as I realized, keep quiet means we become the silent supporter of racism as it wont stop by that.

It is important as well to celebrate those who stay on our course. We need to make abolitionists name famous so that people will realize that they are not alone. Putting their names high is important as it will be the role model for today generation. There might be strong confrontation on the opposite camp as they will try to submerge our efforts. This should be confronted by letting others know what the stages that they have been through when they were in the battle of racism. As Jones said it will be an antidote and freshen up the feelings of isolation and loneliness face by white people or any other people that is on our course fighting racism.

It is important to challenge not just white but anybody that stays upon the racism road. It is important to tell them how oppress the system is and challenge them not to be on the side of oppressors. Explaining the deep understanding of racism and appreciate the identity struggle of people of color is a way moving forward against the racism. For the torch bearer, they must not be left alone, as they need continuous support to face the sarcasm of daily racist jokes. Those who are against the racism are our ally, so it is very important to keep our networking stronger. We must appreciate the effort they put into breaking the wall of racist socialization.

They feel normal because they see black as a slave even though it ends hundred years ago. It does not exist anymore but if you realize, they can’t run away from the thought of feeling superior over others. They successfully do that by belittling other culture. This happens through color blind perspective that is embedded within them. They deny it as they never unfold their racial identity. It is not needed because they feel they don’t have problem with racism. It was not important to them. They rarely ask or discuss about it as it will be painful to them to admit. Again, what is important is their feeling. What is important is their belief that everybody is the same as them. I bet most of them do not belief racism is a system.

As I try to imagine and think why they think that they are not racist, as they believe it is done by their previous generations. They believe it stops there. But when you have that kind of thought it is wrong because past created you. And you brought together the history. You convey it in form of jokes, either you realize it or not, in your words and you think it is okay, but in fact it is not! Just because your perception think it is true it does not mean it is true and good for others. The best thing is that they never realized that it exists within our daily life as the system itself.

I feel grossed when someone says affirmative action is not needed nowadays. Most of them say it is unfair because they might loose their jobs to minorities. First of all, it is just “might loose” rather than surely loose. They say it like that on the first place, so I believe they have to check back their level of confidence. Secondly, how many percents are they going to loose then? Based on the percentage of Undergraduate Enrollment Fall 2000 at University of Michigan, White is 65.8%, compared to African American 8.4 % and Hispanic 4.7%. What about Native American? ONLY 0.6%.² Among them will say that institutionalized discrimination against African Americans no longer exist so any policy in their favor should not exist, but I would like to put it in this way if we view that the oppression has been gone through for about 300 years, I guess allowing more minorities to be granted affirmative action is nothing. It is peanut. It is used to remedy past discrimination. However, I do believe, affirmative action should be look closely case by case but not by abolishing it in general because it will strengthen the racism that is within the society already.

White believes discrimination has been eradicated. What about the three incidences that happened to me? From a study done by Turner, Fix and Struyk (1991), whites were three times as likely both to advance further in the hiring process and to receive job offers as were Hispanic applicants. From the same research, it is told that 15 % of the white applicants received job offers and only 5 % black applicants did.³

In my point of views too, affirmative action is a peanut compared to repercussions or asking for forgiveness as it involves their pride. Will it be possible seeing White asking for forgiveness? They won’t, as they are very individualistic and dominant. Am I against repercussions and forgiveness? I did not say this is wrong too as I agree with what Germany did by paying billions of dollars to Jews for the crime they committed. Is racism a crime? Yes, it is! Does it make those who purported racism criminals? Yes! If my two questions easily answered yes by you, then I guess what makes it SO DIFFICULT to ask for forgiveness and repercussions? If you refuse to do both, first and foremost, White must admit and put in into ACTIONS that the first thing that needs to be done is to change the stupidity for those who support racism, and at the same time tell and convince them(among racism supporters) that it is a system embedded in our daily life.

A country is not a house; it is not an individual property. I can paint my house to be blue but I can’t impose my country which I shared together to be blue because they have their own preferences as well. I am thankful to God, as He created this world colorful. We appreciate all colors. Why when it comes to skins color, we don’t take heed as the way it is? From this book, I learn not to homogenize everything because it is wrong. We must appreciate the differences as we appreciate the varieties of other living things (animals, plants) surrounding us. Why can’t we do the same thing when it comes to human skins?

I take Tatum advices to prepare my sons to have a positive psychological adjustment by providing intact relationship between families members regardless color skins they have, kids need to be attended integrated schools to avoid color blind perspectives. When it comes to buy a house, it is advisable to be in multiracial neighborhood as it will create more interactions and understandings. Most importantly, I must be willing to talk to my son openly about issues related to identity development as I had no one when I was teenager. I must stop the cycle of racism. This will help him to be able to reflect positively. I think it is important as I don’t want his worldview to be created by nonsense media or advertisements or people that is based upon inequalities. I will be careful as well when I make comments on others physical features as I don’t want it to become objectifying. These steps I believe will teach our eyes NOT to be out powered by prejudice.

References:

1. Norman R. Yetman, “Black Monday:” Brown v. Board of Education and the Significance of Race in American Life. Transaction Publishers Rutgers University,2006.

1. The CQ Researcher: Issues in Race,Ethnicity and Gender( Affirmative Action).pg 13.(Pie chart titled Etnicity at the University of Michigan) CQ Press, 2002.

1. Turner, Margery Fix, and Raymond J. Struyk. Opportunities Denied: Opportunites Dismissed: Discrimination in Hiring. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute 1991.

“I don’t care about race. I care about the class ,the children they work with..”Dr. Be Stoney

I believe this is a must to read book before teaching in Hispanic classroom. In my case, I never have any opportunity to know, learn or interact with Hispanic, Latinos or Latinas cultures, so this will provide a pre schematic knowledge on them. I believe it will enrich my perspectives as an educator. As I reflect back to a question asked by Dr Stoney to me by asking me what does it mean to be Malay, so I believe as an educator, I have to put pure and conscious efforts not just to critically checking my beliefs on other cultures but at the same time reform and change erroneous and prejudice beliefs towards everybody especially to students.

Actually it emphasize on preparation to be teacher in diversified classroom. In Malaysia, I don’t have Hispanic students, but the strategy provided here will be good guidelines, on how should I prepare to teach my students whose have different backgrounds and understanding. Furthermore, I am a diamond cutter. Thus, it is my job to dig for them and polish them. The reform must be erupted now and then, and I don’t have to wait. It is in Malaysia’s National Education Philosophy a long time ago. Rigorous action needs to be implemented.

This book is about a belief that through education, teachers will be able to turn the history of diversity and multiculturalism in United States to be a success story. It puts emphasis on teachers. Teachers as agents, selling knowledge and students as clients, receiving education. Our target is to reap benefits from this long term investment. We want to make a successful deal. Education is supposed to be a win win situation deal: towards a betterment of our society. It means every one of us can live effectively and respectfully in a cultural diverse society. Also, the writers challenged their notions and assumptions that teachers are perfectly prepared and happy, ready and caring when it comes to educating their students regardless of their background. After finishing this book, the answers for their assumptions are answered by finding out about guidance and strategies provided. Thanks to the writers because putting me into realization that to reap the benefit of this business deal is a long way to go.

I can say that because I did try to answer Question Number 3 on Beliefs about Hispanic Students in Chapter Two. It was difficult because at the end I realize all my answers for the questions were either wrong, biased and they are based on movies. The only answer that I had a confidence to answer was related to their language that they use a same Spanish language. Even this is proven wrong when I reflect back to the discussion in a classroom when one of our classmates explained to us that Puerto Rican Spanish is different from Mexicans Spanish. The only correct answer I know is Jennifer Lopez is a Latina!! Shame on me…

They have a long history. When I counted back, it started from 1492 and it goes on until today. They have more than 500 years of history. It means their cultures are rich of many elements. It is complete; they went through many patterns of oppressions but yet did not stay static. Dynamically they fought to embrace, tasting the meaning of freedom and equality. It means also, they have similar basic needs as human. Yet I wonder what makes them being perceived as difficult in classrooms? Does it show that when teachers always perceive themselves as bearer of equality and justice yet when realizing that in fact we engage in putting prior negative assumptions about a group of students, this lead us to state of denial? As a result of this we put the blame on the failure of bilingual education, not to our own effort of knowing in and out of our students?

I believe as nations that have long history and enriched with many diverse elements within it, they are indeed unique. I soon realized about it when realizing they came from different places such as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba and etc. I wonder what will happen to me if I address a Puerto Rican as Mexican realizing that they are a part of U.S territory for about 100 years. They are American citizens. This means they have unique status compared to other arrivals. It goes the same with Cuban American that came here running away from communist system. They were well educated mostly asking for political asylum. Their mentality would be different. Indeed I find that diversity is not necessarily between different groups but it can happen within intergroup as well. Enough to say, Mejicanos, Tejanos, Chicanos reflect how diverse and unique they are because those words bring different meaning.¹

The book focus on Hispanic students, it helps you theoretically to create a mental image of how a Hispanic student would look like/be. It starts from demographics data, reflections of our (majority) beliefs about them (in chapter 2), teaching Hispanic students, understanding Hispanic families (in chapter 3). It is complete. I believe this is crucial because the authors actually are trying to tell readers (teachers especially) to know students as a whole. Knowing name, address and grade is as important as understanding and knowing their history and culture. It also helps us by letting us know what to do and to avoid when it comes to practice later on. This notion is obvious when the writers provide Resource Heaven for readers because you can extent your research and knowledge about them by using the books, fictions and research provided inside this chapter.

Other thing that I like about this book is when the authors provide their own experiences into Authors’ Notes. I value their efforts because basically they are providing hands on applications because teaching Hispanic students was an alien concept to me. Further more, this puts facts and theories discussed in this book in an imaginable context thus lead to understanding. Most of them are related to chapters discussed. As an example, Mary Lou Fuller in Chapter 7, which discuss about Hispanic Families gave a good tip to prepare/bring cookies for the students whenever they are being visited at home. This will be identified and celebrated as concerning effort from a teacher to the students by Hispanic parents. Building this bridge will smoothen the process of knowing and understanding them, and as teachers for Hispanic group, it is important for teachers to initiate first the steps.

As I mentioned before, this book will be a strong base of my next plan. It provides frameworks for my future task as an English teacher and at the same time multiculturalists when I go back home. I don’t have any intention to stay firm following exactly as the way it is in Malaysia now. It does not work for unity when the system supports racism. As we build up/contribute to pollution, we too help building up racism if we don’t put an end to it. All of us have shares and that’s why, there must be a strong reform. Furthermore, I realize equality and freedom is the basic human needs, and I will have supporters. “It is important for us teachers, those who understand to put a stop to racism”. I do realize as well, there will be antagonists that will strain upon my way. They might inflict pain upon me but that does not worry me much. I have read how Martin Luther King and El Hajj El Malik Shabazz² were killed; I have seen what Apartheid did to Nelson Mandela. Physically they were incarcerated, but their struggles and souls fly upon to the heart of alive human. No force can stop them.

The writers focus on education to change and up heave the Hispanic community. Education can only work if it is conveyed successfully to the target groups. In order to achieve that, the language barrier must be broken down by improving bilingual education. In bilingual education, we appreciate the culture of our students. Appreciating culture of others and not denying their existence is cores to ensure unity. It is like killing two birds with a stone. Hispanic students wont be lag behind, their identity wont be jeopardized and at the same time they learn other subjects. This idea is very beautiful. When I reflect back of my experiences in Malaysia, I realize among the many reasons Chinese or Indian parents send their kids to Chinese and Tamil vernacular school because they don’t want their offspring to be “Malaynalized”. I remembered when I was 10 years old in Standard Four, most of the stories in our National Language Text books, told about Malay fairytales, Malay warriors, Malay legends, and I did know about Na Zha³ and the flying wheel of fire from comic books instead from “National” text books. I guess no efforts were being made to translate Chinese or Indian fairytales. It is an obvious example of how students’ cultures are not celebrated and welcomed.

I like Chapter 5 the most. This semester I am taking ESL Bilingual Education, as what I am being taught in the subject, it is important to have accurate assessment to ensure academic success. It is interesting to note here that our bilingual students might use two languages at one time but most of the time, there will be only one dominant language within them. It means proficiency is very much dependent on the language that they are familiar with. In order to ensure success for Hispanic students, the assessments made by school personnel must be exact. This is to avoid them to be replaced in a classroom where they can speak English but do not understand most of the lessons because their Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency is not on par with Native American English speakers. This is to ensure they are not left behind or being felt to be left behind because of their language inadequacy. Also, accurate assessment must examine all aspects of students to ensure it is adequate. Among the criteria that need to be taken seriously are Performance based assessments, observation by focusing on language used to interact with peers and not to forget the demographic of the students because it will determine the percentage of English language used. For example, Hispanic students who come from highly populated white area will have better English commands due to more interaction with Native American English speakers.

It is interesting as well when the writers mention that we can’t force them to perform in any language that they use in order to accurately assess them. In fact, teachers must provide opportunities for them to listen, speak, read and write in both languages. Teachers’ job is to listen and observe attentively to ensure accurate assessment. From the careful and accurate observations, then the teacher can determine either his/her students are dominant in Spanish or not, needs to work more on English vocabulary and etc. Most importantly, labeling them as slow, or any derogative remark is out of teaching ethics because it is lethal. It means, as teachers, students’ limited abilities to express themselves should not be a wall for us to not encourage them to use languages that they prefer. What we can do is to always encourage (without putting coercion) so that it will help them to low their affective filter.

There is no unique formula to teach Hispanic Students but there are ways to help us at least to build basic understanding of who they are. This will be the first step towards the success. The ways are closely integrated ranging from families (as their cultures are family and group oriented), economics, communities and cultural background. As teacher, it is wrong to be eccentric and denying the existence of our students culture. The actions will lead to miscommunication, ethnocentric judgments. It will shove away Hispanic students from us. In order to avoid that, teachers need to have concrete knowledge of particular culture in order to develop understanding of particular cultural group. Lacking concrete knowledge of Hispanic culture will lead to misinterpretation and assumptions. As a teacher, I don’t want that to happen because misinterpretation and assumptions are basically the key factor to denying the existence of particular cultural group.

There are factors that propagate the growth of Hispanics’ students learning. Firstly, teacher can provide education that fulfills the needs of them. This can be done by giving them access to opportunities and resources. For example, if they need more time to develop their CALP⁴, it should be taken seriously and granted as this will ensure their academic success. In this case, we must always remember the fact that teachers are nurturers. Secondly, avoiding stereotyping is a must as it can lead to teachers ignoring the fact that Hispanic cultures are rich in diversities. Also, teacher must have teaching strategies that related to the needs of Hispanic students. Among the strategies are:

a) Focusing the lessons on group rather than individual. Teacher must as well create a cooperative atmosphere in the classroom. This is a must for them because they have a strong sense of community. This can be done by having group problem solving, discussion in groups and etc. Due to this matter, it is wrong to punish them in public, this will devalue their pride.

b) Lessons must be highly informal too, ingrained with family-like atmosphere. I believe, eating together (with class members) by everybody participating in bringing food is one of the good methods to develop relationship and knowing each other better.

c) Having Hispanic Family Day or Hispanic Open House at school where Hispanic parents are invited to school. They can come to school for the sake of visiting without worrying about have to meet teachers discussing about their kids performance at school. It is a way to show hospitality of school administration where Hispanic Parents will be invited to have lunch or dinners (Hispanic food are prepared of course) with their kids’ respective teachers. This should be a yearly event where all of school communities anticipate in it. Hopefully this event will be catalysts for them (parent and teachers) to interact more in the future related to students’ achievement and improvement.

d) Teachers or school administration can develop social networking to promote assimilation and diversity. I get this idea from International Buddies program offered by Kansas State University. We can change it into Hispanic Buddies program so that it will give opportunity for Hispanic students in their transition and assimilation process. This program will be free. It is targeted so that it will improve their English skills. It can also provide free tutoring to the Hispanic students. They can meet an hour per week to discuss, do activities together.

Actually I am impressed when reading Fuller’s Author’s Note in page 102 whereby she instructed her preservice teachers to have significant relationship with Hispanic parents. This program managed to change perspective of her preservice white, middle class teachers. From their responses, Hispanic cultures are beautiful because they respect and value the teachers generally and emphasis on cleanliness which is as same as theirs. This is another great strategy to enhance cultural understanding between two different groups.

I believe Jones and Fuller are not just writers but they are practitioners of bilingual education. They put into practice whatever that they believe and write. I notice the theories, methodologies and applications in this book are deep seated and well matched the CEEE Guiding Principles (Center for Equity and Excellence in Education.) Each Hispanic student is unique (due to the fact that they are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse students or CLD), so any instruction should be build on their previous education and thus should not be neglected. They are welcomed, accepted and valued as they way they are. In order to fulfill the notions above, teacher must understand and apply the concepts, theories, research to that appropriate to them to help to learn in and out of classroom setting. It is a must for teachers to create a motivating learning environment and at the same time know and understand the variability of his/her students in learning academic subjects.

I do believe that the writers of this book try to combat negative views such as Hispanic students will be in failure category, left behind, hopelessness of any appropriate educational helps and risk of academic failure. I feel this happen not because of racism that entrenched within us but our failure to provide enough and good training on differential learning strategies and development of Hispanic group. In Malaysia, for those who major in education and plan to be teachers, Multicultural Education is not a core subject, it is just an elective, and thus it is not compulsory. I hope it will be made a compulsory subject for teachers to have it before they go to school teaching students. Hopefully, it will help to improve teachers’ attitudes towards racial and ethnic minorities. This is among the reformation process that I will do if I become a Malaysia Education policy maker one day. Wish me luck!!

As conclusion, both of the writers do a great job to instill cultural awareness in me. I am greatly indebted to them. In fact, their points of view must be and should be frameworks before we embrace Hispanic students.

I would like to end my reflective responses to this book by quoting Sonia Nieto’s statement which is available in page 29, “a constellation of attitudes, behaviors, behaviors, and structures and a mismatch between home and school expectations all work together to produce success or failure.”⁵

References:

1. A CQ Press College Division Publication. (2002) One Name, Many Communities:

Issues In Race, Ethnicity and Gender, Selections from The CW Researcher. CQ Press

174.

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_X ( retrieved 10/6/2008)

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezha_(deity) (retrieved 10/6/2008)

4. Herrera S. G, Murry K.G,.(2005) Mastering ESL and Bilingual Methods. Pearson

Education Inc. 9

5. Nieto,S (1992). Affirming diversity. New York: Longman

Ramadhan was over. It was two days ago. I do not feel happy about it. I miss it. I feel empty. I wish every month is Ramadhan’s month, but that’s only my wish.

Ramadhan in U.S.A is the greatest I have so far. I really feel at least a little bit essence of Ramadhan. I don’t waste much of my time hoovering around the “param” a.k.a Ramadhan Baazar searching and looking for food. Thousand types of food. When I came home, I ate a simple and delicious meal cooked by my wife. Not variety of food like what I have in Malaysia.I am not denying how much I miss Malaysian food. In fact I do…but reflecting back what I told to Brandon at Ainul’s Open House that we hope the Ramadhan spirit we have, will be continued to the rest of the year.

What is Ramadhan’s spirit? Suppressing your desire and become a hermit?
No.. Ramadhan is not a month that you have to be a priest or a nun. It is a month that you abstain yourself from eating,drinking, sexual acts or anything that may invalidating or lessen the rewards of your fasting. It means Ramadhan teaches you not to backbite, controlling your anger, not involving in vain talk and etc. That’s why it is more to self purification. You overhaul everything, not just your digestion system but your soul as well.

I hope it does make sense..

Event/Behavior:

My students failed reading test badly. The test is based on reading passage that I explained and taught them during class. Half of the class got 25%. Highest scorer was 45%. The test was based on article about Maze Tour in USA. I took it from SAT English sample. When I marked their paper, most of them did not answer questions, they left the paper blank except for some common sense questions. Before they handed in their test paper, I stressed to them that their final exam questions level of difficulty will be like what I provided them today.

Feelings:

• Frustrated
• Angry
• Ashamed

Thoughts:

I had a discussion with my colleague, a Geography teacher about insufficient general knowledge among students have, including this particular class. Since I am coming to United States soon, I thought it would be a great idea having them reading on Maze Tour in United States. This would be additional information for their general knowledge. It also will help to expand their perspectives on various interesting places in the world.

Also, I thought my students would feel bad and worried because they could not answer the questions. I thought that it was really bad of me because I don’t prepare their background schemata on the subject matter (Maze Tour in USA). I thought they must be afraid and stressful to sit for their English final paper soon. They must be terrified of my class in the future because I did sudden “pop quiz” to them.

Learnings:

Step One:

I assume all materials are okay to be used in classes as long as they are in English, and academic/subject related. (Geography, History and etc)
I assume students always ready to understand any kind of materials without considering their background schemata.
I assume students would like to read and learn what I like (in this case, I chose the article because I am coming here soon)
I assume students always ready to sit for any test.
I assume my teaching and instruction is clear.

Step Two:

It is my mistake to assume that students always ready to sit for any test. I should give them time to digest everything that I taught them on that day. It is not even valid because when I reflect back, I did not really know what I want to measure from that test. Is it their understanding, main idea from the passage? Furthermore I took the materials (reading passage and test questions) from SAT booklet. It is not culturally related to them, and Maze Tour in USA must be an alien concept to them because we don’t even have that in Malaysia. Basically, they don’t have any previous knowledge about this topic. Shame on me!!

Again, I put them on my shoes. My mistake is assuming my students are ready to learn any kind of materials that I bring to the classroom. This is actually putting students’ motivation and perceptions into risks. The materials may not suit them well due to the differences in their abilities and the materials are indeed difficult to them. I was wrong by putting them on my par. In this case, I use an approach called “myself centered” not student centered because what really mind to me when choosing the article was the excitation of coming to USA. I was selfish and did not care what my students need.

It is my grave mistake to assume my instruction and teaching was really good. They were not asking any questions to me. Being quiet is not always good. As a teacher, you have to suspect something is wrong when the silent is unusual. It is a sign of lack understanding. They just kept quiet when I explained to them because this is something new to them. They need time to process this new information. I just was neglecting the silence by explaining more and more. The time bomb exploded during the test. It reveals lots of my mistakes. I supposedly interacting with them and putting them into group so that I could see their interactions among them. Through their interactions in the group, I can see how far their understandings are. Sadly, I rushed them into pop quiz. I guess having a ticket out of asking what they understand from my everyday lesson is a good way of knowing their understanding and my teaching performance.

Step Three:

The idea of studying at United States was overwhelming to me since I was a teenager. I had the opportunity of having some friends studying abroad under scholarships. I requested them to send lots of beautiful landscapes pictures. I really admire them for having the opportunity to feel the enchanting experiences of other new places. This feeling lead me to search more about those pictures that they sent me, thus give me exposure to new ideas and vocabularies from it. On the other hand, my students might not have friends who study abroad like what I have, so their interests won’t be same like me. They might have different views on travelling.

My students are unique. They have different world that much more different but I believe interesting enough to explore. I hope I can explore on their individual preferred interests/hobbies. This will open up limitless possibilities of topics such as electronic, gaming and etc. in classroom lessons and discussions that I can use.

Application:

Step One:

I read today that students play an active role in construction of meaning by teacher assisting them in creating an environment of meaningful, context based contexts.1 Based on this, I should consider preparing lesson that not just related to language and content but at the same time celebrate their culture. This includes developing their background schemata as well.

Schemata are important for understanding. They are backbones, because when students read any texts, their brain will connect the text information to related knowledge and experience that are familiar to them.2In this case, the text is unbearable and difficult for them because of many reasons. Firstly, it is a SAT comprehension reading exercise, it is not their level and most of the words inside do not belong to their schemata. Thus, it does not fit their understanding. Secondly, they have never seen maze before. It means they can’t relate to their existing knowledge. They might have seen it before in television but still, it does not really build the concept/understanding of what maze is. It might be about something else such as agronomy of corn rather really focuses on Maze Tour in USA.

According to Jeff Zwiers (2004), teacher can connect the text information to students’ schemata by focusing on visualization technique. It is to create mental images and associations so that students can adapt their understanding to the text given.3 In my case, I should introduce to them what is maze by providing pictures first. A documentary video viewing session on the topic should be helpful too. These I believe will help to create vivid mental images that can assist understanding of the text.

Step Two:

I will focus on knowing inside out of my students. Students are uncut diamonds.4A good diamond cutter will examine every angle of it to produce the best glimmering diamonds. When they keep their mouth shuts over something that they do not understand (i.e. my lessons), it means I created a gap. This gap might be due to my being excessive self centered by providing materials that matters to me and neglecting theirs. I am selfish.

I will also consider what kind of materials to be used in class. I can’t be too ambitious. Difficult test questions, SAT or GRE might have list of powerful vocabularies list but they are not necessarily good for my students.

When I was at college, I hate sudden pop quiz. Usually it is based on my memory retention ability rather than understanding. The main reason is I was not prepared. By giving them the quiz, it leads to no where. I should have told them and have my objectives fixed. Furthermore, comprehension takes time to develop. In this case, I repeat again the vicious cycle introduced by previous teacher.

In conclusion, providing meaningful learning experience is fundamental to my teaching. I must not neglect that. This can be achieved if my students understand my lessons and teaching. I believe this can be achieved by putting variance strategies into practices. I hope I won’t neglect this in the future.

References:

Herrera S.G.,Murry K.G,(2005) Mastering ESL and Bilingual Methods: Differentiated Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Students. Pearson Education, Inc.,(pg 216-217)

Zwiers J. (2004) Building Reading Comprehension Habits in Grades 6-12: A Toolkit of Classroom Activities. International Reading Assoc. (pg 54)

Ibid,(pg.56)

Jones T.G.,Fuller M.L (2003) Teaching Hispanic Children. Pearson Education Inc. (Preface), xi. It is taken from a Hispanic mother talking about Hispanic students in Arizona, “Our children are worth a little care..they are uncut diamonds, but no one wants to bother to dig from them and polish them”

So much to be written here for what happened to me these past few days. It opens up my mind after looking at how they arranged and planned Orientation Day for us. As an ex matriculation lecturer, I could see that they are more systematically organized. On that day, with the amounts of thousands International Students, I dont see they have problem, no jams,no run around systems ( as what happened when I did my Orientation Day at KMJ with my fellas), not enought t-shirts or ties, everybody enjoys their time. The overall performance of only 15 ISC staff outweigh our nearly 200 lecturers(KMJ). You may take it as a defame, but thats not my intention. I want an improvement.

They succeed because they fully used technology. I could not enroll due to some reasons related to Lafene and ELP but when I went to a Cashier, she gave me a great help by helping me out just simply giving a phone call. They seem to trust their buddy. I guess the empowerment plays an important role and aha, all the time, they will check again the internet. everything is managed from there, from the smallest details of individuals to everything, everything is in the SERVER.

She made me think when I passed my afidavit using my left hand. Critical she is, asked me because she is left handed too, I explained thats our culture. Her question made me answer ( this is true) our parents will ensure our kids use right hands. she perplexed thinking of what will happen to left handed person. I told her, thats more to culture. Different culture different perspective. In our case, I do believe our culture prefer right hands because that is a sunna from our prophet pbuh. that is how much we love our prophet pbuh.

 
I am going to start soon my journey in the field of education again as a student. This time for post graduate. It wil be totally different because usually every weekdays I will straining my vocal cords teaching my students. This time I am the one that has to really straining and strecthing my ear-drum, gulping, receiving and analyzing every information that pass throught it. This is going to be exciting and at the same time tiring..

It was 5 years ago I left INTEC,Uitm. I am overwhelming by this feeling seriously, so excited to meet new faces, discussing and reading and writing assignments, taking notes and etc. Indeed I am happy but at the same time I have a worry. Uneasiness starts to gradually build up in my soul, I dont want to be precisely as my friends that take Msc or Phd as Mona Lisa Potrait, rather I prefer myself to die because being one of them means among the first to be burnt in Hell. Nauzubillah…

Let be the knowledge or information is something that you live with it. Implementation and applying them will be(read must be) the foremost aim for those who seek to be in this path. Beeing a seeker of knowlegde is indeed hard.

Few days ago, I sat for EPT. This time for my own improvement. Overall, it was easy but what worried me most is Vocabulary Section which I found few words either I dont know the meaning or they were very rare or hardly to be found nowadays being used everywhere.

I went fishing with Ishak today, I caught a White Bass, went the same with Ishak. The different is that he got it first 30 minutes we were there and mine was slightly before we heading back. My technique( made  my own baits) did not work. The current was too strong, all the ” good smell” was carried away easily. So I could not catch any Catfish.

We have a new family member. His name is Nik. A post grad from USM. I am going to meet him tomorrow. Bye see ya..

Dear brothers who dwell in these prisons..

To you I write with distresses..

If to ALLAH you hold fast,

Then what harm will a misfortune do to you?

Beware dear brother

Of making you corrupting your thoughts,

Regarding the promise of the Deity, Mighty and Strong…

Verily He has promised the believers with salvation..

As He saved Yunus

From the dark depths of the belly of the fish

Dear Brother,

Before you passed the ancient ones..

These prisons are but like those prisons,

Did not Yusuf dwell in there for a phase??

And Musa,

The Tyrants threatened him with it and such was the Messenger

Of the Generous Deity to imprison him..

…..The Pagans plotted so my Lord saved him through his hijrah in the company

Of that trustworthy friend..

And in their footsteps…

The believers traversed..

Like Ahmad, that firm Imam,

And likewise Ibn Taimiyah was blessed with it

In the fortress of Sham, as prisoner he dwelled.

Hundreds of thousands of the true faithful dwelled for a time in these prisons.

Be not weak, dear brother..

Nor lose hope, when your time comes nor submit

Strengthen yourself by remembering the Deity, Most Supreme

And hasten in memorizing the Manifest Book.

That is for your heart a secure stronghold and

This is for your spirit an assisting provision.

These are hardships soon they will all cease and remaining form it will be various

Fruits of benefits, so if they intimidate you and they threaten you

Never weaken nor soften to them

And even if they insult you and they torture you and if

They beat you, submit not

You are not the first to be tortured for a mighty religion and a Manifest Legislation

Nor are you alone on this path for there are countless caravans throughout the years and if an Eid passes by

and a son is born and months rotate, while you are imprisoned, do not

Grieve O brother of the Righteous Ones

Of departing from family and losing children

And if they forbid you from their visits and likewise, their letters never appear,

So if this is for a Lord and Religion, then where is the patience, where is the

Certainty and where are your past speeches regarding the (height of the) Millah of That Trustworthy Messenger?

That intimate friend went willingly to slaughter his son, a clear trial on a magnificent, noble day like today without any anxiety, he put him down upon his forehead.

So my Lord saved him through His Good Will and ransomed

him with a fat sheep, but you..

Your sons are in a carefree life and diversion and

amusement and a secured home

Yet you have not been asked to slaughter them,

Rather merely for patience of a temporary separation for verily, they are in the care of a Merciful Lord and your are in solitude with Him and Faith..

For the pleasure of a Lord and assisting a religion,

Life and all children become insignificant..

For the pleasure of a Lord, the Mighty and Generous,

The Prisons come perfumed and the bitter come sweet

For the Pleasure of My Lord

The Prisons Come Perfumed

Written By:

Shaykh Abu Muhammad Al Maqdisi