Identity is who we are. It is what we stand for. It is what we know. It makes us belong or pushes us away. Being forced not to acknowledge innate aspects of oneself because it makes others uncomfortable is preposterous. People are afraid of "other" identities. How unfortunate is it that people to this day still hold others down for being who they are physically and culturally? The fear in identity is something that needs to be mended and part of that starts within the schools.
Education in school has been one of the most influential tools that has manipulated, held back, created forward thinking, encouraged, weakened, and strengthened students of diverse backgrounds. The education system has the ability to mold students individually or as a whole. Recognizing that differences exist and that we should embrace them and not isolate them is crucial for student's development.
We as individuals are all very different from one another and can never completely understand what it is like to be in another person's shoes. That does not mean if we all came from the same background and looked exactly alike that society would be easier to understand and relate to. If we were all alike in experience and looks then people would still find something to segregate or be fearful of. Culture has so many sub categories because it is not just about race, but one's entire identity. People's culture/identity encapsulate their family, socioeconomic status, politics, hobbies, religion, age, gender, and relationships.
As a future art educator, I want to make sure that multiculturalism is apparent and welcome in my classroom and encourage my students to create art based off their background. I feel as if culture and art go hand in hand. A work of art can show other students visually where a person comes from. Self-expression through art can be therapeutic for feelings of anger, confusion, happiness, pride, and curiosity. There are hundreds of emotions that are internalized by students when dealing with cultural differences in society. Art can help bring those feelings out and display cultural significances in a positive light. In turn students can educate me, themselves, and one another.
“I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream — a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man’s skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Noel, J. (2012). Multicultural education. (third ed.). New York: Mcgraw-Hill.
Congdon, Stewart, White. (2000). Mapping identity for curriculum work. 109-117.
I think you concluding comment sums up the power of art. When you say, "Art can help bring those feelings out and display cultural significances in a positive light. In turn students can educate me, themselves, and one another," I believe that you teach one of the best subjects for true self expression. Because as you said earlier about culture being many different parts of our lives not just our ethnic background, art can be one of the forms of expression that students can use to express their complete self.
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