Do I have the full picture?
When asked, do I have the full picture? What comes to mind? What pops into my head is understanding each individual aspect before drawing a conclusion. This may compared to the steps of a puzzle.
Understanding, before making quick judgments allows for active communication for all types of conversations. In this weeks module, a topic that stood out to me was dysconscious racism and the article that followed. The peers of Autumn Roberson- Manahan, actively taunted her using a racial slur. Although they may have not seen the severity of using it, these words greatly impacted Autumn. They did not understand how that would make another individual feel because they chose not to see the bigger picture. This may be the result of not having disciplinary actions done to them. That is until Autumn stood up to them and risked her own academic reputation. The administration did nothing to prevent this and chose not to see the bigger picture as well.
So, how do we have the full picture? To do so, I believe taking a step back to thoroughly think our actions over before acting upon them. Doing proper research. Using empathy to drive our feelings and understanding different perspectives. Even if we think we have the full picture, we can put ourselves in a different position and see it at a new angle. Regardless of whether the picture is portrayed as a piece of artwork or it is the metaphoric term. There are always ways to see the picture and it may even change with new knowledge and alternate points of view.
Hi Heidi, I completely agree with your idea of how we should get the full picture. I also think that it is important to do research, and to be empathetic when we are learning about others and history. Schools today seem to choose the easy option rather than putting in the effort to learn peoples stories. What happened to Autumn is terrible but it is also happening everywhere without interference. If we want to evolve and grow into a system without racism and discrimination, it is important to begin growing and expanding our pictures. However, I feel as though our published history is skewed towards the white men who did the majority of the damage. Looking at Ruby Bridges, White men women and children yelled obscenities and slurs at a child who wanted an education. Everyday, Ruby would pray not for herself, but for the people yelling at her hoping that they would be forgiven by God for their hatred. But we do not know this because our history books are skewed to make the White population in America look perfect rather than extremely flawed. Do you think we will ever get the full picture? How would you introduce the topic of racism in the schools to your students?
ReplyDeleteHi Rylee! I do agree that nowadays, schools are choosing the easier version. The stories of people go unheard and become lost or muted as the years go on. I believe that getting the full picture is a choice but that choice will not be made by everyone. I would introduce the topic of racism in schools to my students by researching first and evaluating my students in order to keep them as comfortable as possible, introducing them to a topic that causes discomfort. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteHello Heidi! I always learn so much from your blog post entries. I think you explained perfectly that to understand each individual student and child is to look at it as if they are steps to a puzzle or a bigger picture. The best thing that we as people can do is to put ourselves in other people's shoes. By doing this and imagining that they are you I believe we are more likely to be understanding and open to conversations. For Autumn it breaks my heart that it had to reach the point where she had to defend herself. I have been put in a similar situation and I lost that sense of security at school and lost a passion for learning. As teachers and administration it is our job to protect that safe space for our students. By educating ourselves and our students and showing that skill of empathy, learning can go back to being exciting for our students and hopefully school can be another home away from home.
ReplyDeleteHi Bella! Thank you for sharing your experience. I can't imagine how hard it was to endure that treatment but to know that you overcame that is amazing. With Autumn's story, it broke my heart as well to know that someone could go through so much and still not be able to confide in those who are supposed to help protect students. I believe educating ourselves and showing empathy sets us all in the right direction.
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