6.+Classroom+Relevance

Concepts, perspectives, and viewpoints about multiculturalism and diversity in your classroom

With a narrow mindset, some individuals may believe that multiculturalism is not relevant and really does not matter. Yet, looking at the broader perspective of education and what our country is founded on, multiculturalism is everything - both to us as individuals, and to our country, the United States, as a whole. The academic socialization of so many students makes it impossible for them to value their own voices and encounter the texts, viewpoints, and experiences of their own culture on its own creative terms (Britzman cited in Marshall et al, 2007, p. 177).

Found on our nation's currency and in many other historical locations, a motto of our country is "E Pluribus Unum". It directly translates into "Out of Many, One." Translated into a more accepted action phrase and meaning, it states, "Many Uniting Into One." This motto, or statement, has been the issue of a large debate and whether or not is signifies diversity and multiculturalism; or whether it expels and condemns it. The first group believes that "Many Uniting Into One" represents a larger idea of our society - that many individuals bring their own cultural values and create a larger society we call the United States. The latter considers "Many Uniting Into One" to mean immigrants shedding away their past cultural values and beliefs and fully assimilating into our society. The more widely accepted version is the initial one - that E Pluribus Unum signifies and supports the diversity and melting pot definition of America. Multiculturalism is all about equality and what America was built upon. The thought behind multiculturalism and how everyone should be able to contribute their bit of culture to our country is what truly matters to this country. After all America is called the "Melting Pot" for several reasons including the factor that people are from all different cultures. The other great aspect of multiculturalism is the idea that we can learn from one another whether it's cooking or dancing. In a classroom practice it is important that students see that there are other things out there than their own lives. Without multiculturalism students wouldn't be able to experience and share their own traditions because they would all be the same. With multiculturalism students get to hear new stories that will allow new cultures into their own life. One source states, Multiculturalism is important because the world is changing every day. We must learn to accept and get along with all cultures, races, and religions in order to become productive citizens of the world. It is our job as teachers to prepare our students for the real world, and the real world is a multicultural one (Partners in Learning).

Why then, does multiculturalism and diversity matter? It is who and what we are. According to Charles Thompson, the motto and seal that accompany the phrase represent our nation coming together to support each other - to unify into one (Thompson 1). Multiculturalism supports this motto, and this motto supports multiculturalism. Therefore, it is important to consider multiculturalism in every facet of the classroom. In America we are unique in a sense that being proud of our nation means being proud of a wide array of ideas and beliefs. Supporting multiculturalism is supporting America. Our unity in the classroom, as a society, and as a nation, depends on each and every citizen's acceptance and support of diversity and multiculturalism. The concept of E Pluribus Unum downright defines why multiculturalism and diversity matters and is relevant to a classroom. A myriad of thoughts, discourse, and observations regarding multiculturalism and diversity are important and matter as the overall composition of the United States is made up of many cultures. Interestingly enough, projections from the Census Bureau predict in 2100, “the U.S. minority population will become the majority with non-Hispanic whites making up only 40% of the U.S. population”. As a result, our nation’s classrooms are and will continue to be a reflection of the diversity witnessed in culture, ethnicity and race of the United States. The nation’s overall demographics will require that students learn to eat lunch, ride the school bus, play basketball, attend football games with other students and “learn how to interact in a diverse environment”. According to Jean Snell, a professor at the University of Maryland, “cultural diversity enhances the school experience” because ‘there is a richness that comes from students working side by side with others who are not of the same cookie-cutter mold’. (“How important is,” n.d.)

It is very unusual if a classroom in the United States is composed of students who belong to the same race, family background, income level, religion, beliefs, etc. As a result, it is extremely vital that a teacher is aware of the various cultures that his/her students might have. As teachers, we are responsible for educating students in the appreciation of diverse cultures. A preschool program developed by the Early Childhood Multicultural Services in Vancouver has been able to put multiculturalism into the everyday experience of the classroom (Motherwell). A set of children's books use clever pictures and stories about counting, spelling, families and celebrations. Each page's phrase is translated in multiple languages, like English, French, Spanish and Chinese (Motherwell). Every day, it is important to remember that our students come from diverse backgrounds and families. The instruction we provide should be reflective of the children in the classroom. Discussions about multiculturalism and diversity are very important in the world of education. Not only do we need to teach our students how America came in to existence, but why they are Americans. Students need to learn about life in America, Germany, France, England, Japan and Iceland because we live in a global society that connects through business and social venues. Understanding how each of our lives is intertwined is vital to living thoughtful, productive lives.

Every student is different, an individual. Students all have different backgrounds, physical appearances, opinions, beliefs, experiences and personalities that make them unique. All these differences are accountable to diversity. No two students are exactly the same and in the classroom that is one of the most vital things to remember, we cannot treat all students the same. As educators, we need to adapt to our students, making sure that they're all being treated fairly, but as individuals. Without this awareness, our classrooms would fall apart because students would never receive the attention they deserve. There will be kids who come from different places and have different backgrounds, traditions, and lifestyles and it's important for the other kids to realize that this is okay. It's okay to be different, and it doesn't make them weird, and that it's okay for everyone to get along and be friends with one another. If they understand what it is then they will understand that their classmates who are a different color, culture, or have different beliefs still deserve to be treated like everyone else. They would not be treated as genuine human beings. In the classroom is where it all starts, because not only are students being taught, but teachers can learn just as much as their students when it comes to culture and diversity from their students.

If teachers do not instruct their students on acceptance and respect of other cultures, then there’s a generation of students who remain ignorant and prejudiced. Through their academic careers, students are likely to encounter various texts and materials regarding cultures different than their own. It is important to teach the students to remain open minded and unbiased. The United States is probably one of the only countries where multiculturalism and diversity are such key factors. The United States generally allows for diversity, and it’s important that the students know that; they should understand that people are not confined to the culture that they are born into. Multiculturalism in the schools means making each student feel as though even though all of their backgrounds are completely different, everyone is united in the fact that we will work together to use the strengths of everyone.

In the past and the present there have been too many issues of racism throughout the world and in the United States. If our children, our future, are educated by those with a common goal of eliminating racism and discrimination then there should be less of both in the future of our country and our world. Even though our country claims that all cultures are accepted and enforced, this debate proves otherwise through a classroom perspective. Yes, we are now more accepting of cultures, but we still look down on some that do not share any characteristics with the mainstream culture. Several times throughout our history, different cultures were eliminated or suppressed because the majority of society members wanted everyone to only practice one culture and it failed. Individuals practiced their own culture behind closed doors because that is what makes them unique. Our society has learned from these historical events that we have to accept all the cultures because everyone is different, but this does not mean that all the cultures are given the same high priority than the mainstream culture. This overall society debate is seen in this classroom debate by people believing that we should not embrace every culture, but it seems that they have forgotten what we learned as a society through these historical events everyone is different and the cultures will be practiced regardless. If teachers do not practice these cultures, students may still embrace their cultural individuality at school so instead of debating about this issue, we should accept what students have already accepted embrace all cultures in the curriculum.

Diversity and multiculturalism teaches mutual respect among peers. Accepting one another for who they are and striving for understanding is essential to classroom success. I found the following article "Teaching History: Why Multiculturalism is So Important" By Howard Shorr also via teachertube.com which is an excellent resources for all teachers. []