Memoir, Memory, and

Mastery
Tommy Hamlin

EDU604: Diversity Issues in 21st Century Education

Dr. LaDonna Morris
 Importance of
language on
cultural identity
Multicultural
Education
Anecdotes,
research,
history
Questions
The Skin That Overview or
We Speak Presentation:
By Lisa Society
Delpita and
Joanne
Kilgour Future
Dowdy Research
Connections to Multicultural Education

Issues around race and achievement

How is Black culture and language perceived?

Research on race- and ethnicity related dispositions suggests that almost all
of us, regardless of our skin color, are biased against, or at least relatively
uncomfortable with, people whose race and ethnicity are different from our
own (Hawley and Nieto, 2010, p.66)
Connections Continued

Opportunities for Black people

opportunity structures for African Americans are much more limited than for
whites, a condition that hinders African American youngsters quest for school
success (Murphy, 2010, p. 127)
Connections Continued

Cultural differences between teacher and students makes learning

challenging

U.S. born students from a variety of backgrounds American Indian, African

American students, Latino students whose families have lived here for
generations may also feel alienated by common classroom practices
(Trumbull, Rothstein-Fisch, & Greenfield, 2000, p.3)
Questions
How does language reflect our cultural identity, power,
and privilege?
The way that we speak reflects our cultural identity in a
powerful way. When a person speaks, you may be able to
make assumptions about their nationality, where they are
from in the country, their education level, and even
ethnicity and age. The dangerous thing is that these
assumptions might not be correct. One might assume that
be hearing a person speak that has a vast vocabulary that
they are powerful or privileged, when that is not the
case. On the contrary, when hearing another person
speak, one might assumed that that person is beneath
them if they appear to lack what they consider proper
grammar or speak patterns.
Using our readings and discussions, what would and could
you do to assist these culturally and linguistically diverse
students to be successful socially and academically?
To assist students that are culturally and linguistically
diverse, I need to be considerate of how language
changes. Students from different backgrounds use words
and phrases that are not intended to be disrespectful,
though it might sound it to me. The context is what
matters. I also need to be careful about the words that I
choose, and give instructions in a variety of ways so that all
students can achieve success.
Connection to Society

1 2 3
Embrace Signs, Posters, Continued
cultural Art trends hurt the
differences in society as a
the school whole
Conclusion:

Though the reading and reflection of The Skin That We Speak, I have gained a
new understanding on language and culture. My previous thoughts were that
certain speech patterns were incorrect. Now, my view on correct and
incorrect have changed to simply being different. More research should be
conducted on techniques that will allow others to break their own biases
toward language so that more can see these as differences rather than better
or worse.
References:

Dowdy, J & Delpit, L. (2002). The skin that we speak: thoughts on language and
culture in the classroom. New York. The New Press.

Hawley, W. D., & Nieto, S. (2010). Another Inconvenient Truth: Race and Ethnicity
Matter. Educational Leadership, 68(3), 6671.

Murphy, J. (2010). The Educator's Handbook for Understanding and Closing

Achievement Gaps. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Corwin.

Trumbull, E., Rothstein-Fisch, C., & Greenfield, P.M. (2000). Bridging Cultures in Our
Schools: New Approaches That Work. Knowledge Brief. San Francisco:
WestEd.