Of the two articles, the one that stood out the most to me was Glazier and Seo’s article “Multicultural literature and discussion as mirror and window?”. This article stood out to me because it mentioned that one of the students this teacher was teaching, Mark, “had difficulty identifying his culture”. (Glazier and Seo, 2005). When reading this, I actually found comfort in this realization because I, too, am not sure how I would respond in regards to my specific culture. The articles discussed the importance of exploring your own culture and what makes it significant or separate before reading about and contrasting differences between another culture. In the article, Mark stated he learned new things about other cultures through reading the book (Glazier and Seo, 2005). Therefore, Mark used the text as a “window” to another culture and to learn about a different culture, but he was not able to use the book as a “mirror” to learn about his own culture and make connections between his culture and the one read about in the text. I find that I, too, often use cultural books as a window but am learning on how to use them as a mirror and make connections as well. The aspect that caught my attention in Glazier and Seo’s article was the inclusion of how difficult it can be for the majority to define and name their culture. This brought me back to an idea I learned in a previous course regarding the multiple identities each individual owns, regardless of cultural identity. For example, your gender, age, education, faith, roles in family/society, etc. So my question to you is, what multiple identities can you clearly align with?
Resources:
Glazier, J., and Seo, J.-A. (2005). Multicultural literature and discussion as mirror and window?. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.
Hi Brenna!
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought the same thing and really identified with Mark! I've never really thought before about my own culture either. I always just thought I was boring, which is exactly what we DON'T want our students to think! I really like how you brought up the multiple identities and how culture doesn't necessarily have to be about your ethnicity and the culture aligned with that. I think this might also be something you would want to share with students before you teach about multicultural literature. This way, it will keep students from feeling unwanted, unloved, or unimportant. Awesome thinking!
Thank you for your positive feedback Kaetlyn! I think the multiple identities thinking might be easier to identify with especially for younger, or elementary, students.
DeleteHi Brenna!
ReplyDeleteI often find it interesting to see and think about how our multiple identities play such integral roles in our lives, even on a daily basis. Each identity we might have (gender, age, education, etc.) all play a different role in how we act and interact. I think, for me, my education plays a major role in the standards I hold for myself as well as how I interact with others.
Isn't that so crazy?! Without just one identity we connect with it could completely change our lives. For example, (with age) if I was 42 instead of 24.
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