Raising Cultural Consciousness is an important issue with the growing number of immigrants in the United States. Critical Consciousness according to Kuma requires the recognition of a simple truth. The simple truth being there is no one culture that embodies all and only the best of human experiences; and, there is no one culture that embodies all and only the worst of human experience (271) (Whoa). Think about that for a second. No one culture that is better or worse than another, how many minds is he blowing with this statement. I wonder what the world would be like if we all actually believed in this.. This chapter was really insightful.
Kuma talked about the classroom as a multicultural mosaic. I think this is a really nice analogy. Even if we teach a mainstream classroom with students who seem to be the same, they aren’t. They all bring different aspects to the classroom, different life values or choices, and lifestyles. We are all different regardless of how we appear to be the same. I also thought the microstrategies and exploratory projects are excellent for cultural consciousness in the classroom. I could see myself using most of them in my classroom with adaptations to my students.
I think it is sad that the quote you stated actually does surprise some people. I feel that we ad students who study language more in depth appreciate different cultures and the people of those cultures. Personally, I find differences in culture fascinating and I hope to be able to pass that love onto my students. I think the rough part is going to be when there are students who do not feel comfortable discussing their culture for whatever reason.
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