Obstacles to MulticulturalismObstacles to MulticulturalismJoseph, Hilary and Stephanie

Thesis Statement

As a nation we are trying to promote the concept of multiculturalism. While we have made some advances, there is still a lot to be done. There are still systems of oppression that prevent certain minority students from having the same advantages in the classroom as the dominant group. We need to embrace different cultural identities and heritages in order to ensure that each child has the same chance at succeeding both in the classroom and ultimately in society.

We aren’t nearly as multicultural as we like to think we are…

Obstacles to Multiculturalism

As future educators, we always hear the word “multiculturalism” thrown around. We know that it should be a part of our classrooms as well as part of the greater society, but how can this be done?

There are many obstacles that need to overcome in order to reach this ideal.

Societal Standards

Immigration and Poverty• Unfortunately, immigration and poverty

often go hand in hand– Even if this is not the case, we often equate

them to mean the same things

• A major problem is that it is often difficult for new immigrants to find jobs, and for their children to get access to quality schooling

Social Isolation

Segregation

• Recent studies have shown that single-race schools may actually be beneficial to student learning

People used to fight for being included in white-only schools. Wouldn’t this undo all the progress?

Social Isolation

Exclusion

There are barriers in our society that make it difficult, if not impossible, for people of certain groups to participate in the things most people take for granted.

Stereotypes

• The fallacy of stereotypes: We understand stereotypes to be generalizations, yet we cannot help but apply them to certain people, regardless of knowing they are simply generalizations

• Lately, and especially in the media, we see stereotypes being broken. What does this really mean in our society?

Stereotypes

…a HUGE contradiction…

“…however, by age 10 or 11, [immigrant] children were considered to be performing as well as their [non-immigrant] classmates.”

The information we are presented with says otherwise.

Stereotypes

White Man’s Burden, Brown Man’s Burden

Take up the White Man's burden No iron rule of kings,But toil of serf and sweeperThe tale of common things.The ports ye shall not enter,The roads ye shall not tread,Go, make them with your livingAnd mark them with your dead.

Pile on the brown man's burdenTo gratify your greed;Go, clear away the "niggers"Who progress would impede;Be very stern, for truly'Tis useless to be mildWith new-caught, sullen peoples,Half devil and half child.

Conclusion

Regardless of how far we think we have come in obtaining multiculturalism, our successes should not blind us to how far we still have to go. It is important to understand that the obstacles presented are only some of many, and that each obstacle represents potential progress, for once it is overcome, progress will have been made.