Critical Multiculturalism

[Veritas]

[quote name='FreeSoul' post='1549761' date='May 30 2008, 05:21 PM']No it is not a mask for relativism.

Relativism is when you say that all beliefs are right/wrong.

Multiculturalism is when we say that all CULTURES are respected in a society. Cultures are more than beliefs - which are just one part of a culture which is made up of traditions, sexual and gender roles, artistic endeavours. concepts of beauty, diets, entertainments anything.

Mistaking culture for truth is simplistic and dangerous. More to come...[/quote]

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With all due respect, I see problems in the argument above. Certain cultures incorporate infanticide, abortion, child-molestation, genital-mutilation, pornography, polygamy, and cannibalism just to name a few in their beliefs and practices. Therefore, it seems that the argument/definition for "multi-culturalism" above is reductio ad absurdum.

Allow me to elaborate: Why would we "respect" a culture that is founded on these beliefs and principles? We may respect individuals, but that does not mean we ought or need to respect their particular beliefs, even if we recognize their right to have them -but not act on them. But perhaps, we need to define "respect"? Does it mean "to honor" to "give recognition" to "allow"? These are very different things with different implications.

The Holy Fathers JPII and Benedict XVI have written on the interplay of rights, freedom, and responsibilities unceasingly over the last 30 years. I'm not able to sound-bite them here, but I think that's the best place to start in your research for a firm guiding principle in your paper Momma's Boy. Try the encyclicals of JPII for one e.g. Splendour Veritatis.

Thanks for the discussion, friends.
V

[Veritas]

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Hmm... slaves the result of imperialism? One does wonder about the pre-colonial, hindu-based caste society of India fitting into this paradigm. Of course, there were slaves all over the east in communities, which would not generally be considered "imperialist".

Slavery, of course, we see in reverse of a black on white when the Egyptians held the Jews captive for centuries (even longer than the North American Experience) before the time of Christ as recounted in the Hebrew Scriptures.

[Galloglasses]

[quote name='mommas_boy' post='1550315' date='May 31 2008, 01:07 AM']Interesting replies, and thank you for them. I agree with you that concerns that you listed are legitimate dangers, but I believe that none of them are impossible to recover from, if the teacher is skilled at this. For instance, I can be critical of American culture and slavery as is being discussed elsewhere in this thread, but still not hate (don't hate, appreciate) (don't hate (don't hate, appreciate), appreciate) (don't hate (don't hate, appreciate) (don't hate (don't hate, appreciate), appreciate), appreciate) and loathe my culture. I believe that any failure in this regard is not the fault of the pedagogy, but is instead the failure of the teacher to temper their efforts. Still, as the teacher who would be responsible for this task, it is good to that we discuss them. So, what ideas might you have to counter-act this side-effect?[/quote]
I would seriously consider, when criticising American Culture, focus on the bad things first, then hit them very heavily with the good things. This way you can prove you are not witholding or reserving opinion or pushing your own, while making sure that the students see the bad of their culture and past of America, while keeping an image ofthe good in their minds. IE: Slavery, yet the American President Abraham Lincon was willing to go to war to abolish it. Slap the bad with one hand, punch the good with the other.

When argueing with other cultures, in practice focus with the good first, then hit with the bad, the reverse of what you do with American Culture. This is a subtle method, on the outside you can be seen as criticsing ALL cultures and traditions, when in reality, the way you word it and the way you handle the class, you can influence your own ideas and opinions on your students while educating them about the world and other cultures. This may seem underhanded, but in reality it isn't, its political. This way you can spread the faith and Catholic social teaching, which is 'right-wing' by most leftist opinions, without overtly attacking the students or shoving it down their throats... Or letting your superiors know what you are doing.

I devleope these sort of ideas when I study Political Science and English literature, it is so unbelieveably easy to manipulate the opinions of people in singles or in crowds it is absolutely scary. The only hope we can have in such regards that orators and teachers will Teach and Tell them the truth. Because if they don't, someone else will teach them a lie.

Edited May 31, 2008 by Galloglasses

[mommas_boy]

Hi guys. Just an update.

I taught my lesson today at the school, and it went exceptionally well. One girl did call me a bad name in Spanish, to which I and the other students told her, "Mira la boca!", but I've had MUCH worse in my student teaching stints here in Chicago. I had her laughing and enjoying the lesson soon after that, though.

Anyhow, I was offered the job after the lesson, and I accepted! This is my first real teaching job, and I am incredibly excited. The principal interviewed me on Friday, and he grilled me very hard. Compare this to other schools where I interviewed; they were simply looking to fill the position, and didn't really care so long as I had a teaching certificate and was endorsed to teach chemistry. There are so many other things going on at this school that tell me that this is a very special place where I will receive the kind of mentorship that I need in order to really grow as a teacher. Plus, they are going to pay me an extra $10K to teach there, as part of their mentorship program!

Anyway, I really need your prayers right now that the job goes through. The teaching position is a brand new one, because the school is growing and they need another teacher. That said, there is a chance that the funding might not go through. I am still interviewing at other schools just in case, but this is really where I want to be.

Thanks again, guys, for all of your help!

[Galloglasses]

You're welcome and prayers

[Archaeology cat]

Awesome! And will continue to pray.

[cmotherofpirl]

I am glad you got the job and I am sure you will do well in it.
Back to your original discussion, my problem with this topic is two-fold. Sometimes its simply a mask for teaching victimhood like Rev Wright does. Second not all cultures are equal as pointed out, and while you can support people, as a catholic you cannot support all cultures.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Era Might' post='1549767' date='May 30 2008, 05:28 PM']Fr. Pacwa from EWTN has a CD called "Relativism and Her Three Ugly Sisters." The three ugly sisters are individualism, pluralism, and multiculturalism.[/quote]
I was just at a conference where Fr. Pacwa gave that exact talk!

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1556308' date='Jun 3 2008, 05:56 PM'] I was just at a conference where Fr. Pacwa gave that exact talk![/quote]
Do tell!

[homeschoolmom]

It was really good. However, it took me awhile to figure out where he was going with his talk because he was supposed to be talking on discerning God's will for your life... he... um... didn't read his schedule carefully....

He was supposed to give both talks at the conference, just in the other order.

[CatherineM]

Congratulations on the job. Teaching is a great calling.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1556300' date='Jun 3 2008, 04:50 PM']I am glad you got the job and I am sure you will do well in it.[/quote]

Thank you!

[quote]Back to your original discussion, my problem with this topic is two-fold. [b]Sometimes[/b] its simply a mask for teaching [b]victimhood[/b] like Rev Wright does.[/quote]

A good point. I do want to make issue of this word, "sometimes", as well as "victimhood". I believe that focusing on illegitimate victimhood is unjust. However, focusing on legitimate victimhood is required. Being an urban educator, my eyes are opened every day to the latter. Being a scientist, and therefore pragmatist, I am constantly questioning the former.

I try very hard to incorporate issues of social justice into my chemistry curriculum. There are very many issues that are relevant: lower scores of minorities in the sciences in America are just one. Others are issues of environmental import: the power plant just down the street from the school where I student taught spits out 170 lbs of mercury into the air every year, adversely affecting one in six pregnancies. There are still a great deal of lead pipes in the Chicago water system. Superfund sites. Etc. And then there are injustices that are wrought because of strains of poverty that have nothing to do with science or student achievement in them. I don't want to discount the legitimacy of these issues.

On the other hand, it is very important to avoid sensationalism. I am reminded of the high school teacher favorite: exploring the dangers of [url="http://www.dhmo.org"]dihydrogen monoxide[/url]. Check out the website: the facts are all true: inhalation of DMHO will cause death; it is a greenhouse gas; it is caustic, and contributes to the formation of acid rain; and is the single greatest factor contributing to natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes. The issue is so serious that the California municipality of Alisa Viejo nearly voted to outlaw the chemical. The problem is, this dangerous chemical is nothing other than water: H2O (dihydrogen monoxide is an IUPAC name for water).

The website, [url="http://www.dhmo.org"]www.dhmo.org[/url], was created not with the purpose of being a clever prank, but rather satire in order to demonstrate a very important point: one may tell a lie by saying nothing but the truth. We must be ever on guard against sensationalism.

Further, even in the case of legitimate victimhood, a teacher that focuses solely on the negative nature of that victimhood rather than providing their students with a means of escape or correcting an injustice visited upon them could be argued as causing more harm than good. Then again, there is some benefit to merely raising awareness, but these kids need to feel that THEY are in control for once, and not merely on board for the ride.

[quote]Second not all cultures are equal as pointed out, and while you can support people, as a catholic you cannot support all cultures.[/quote]

An interesting point. I will think on this further.