Cultural Immersion Project (CIP)

ByFungisai Chikede Musoni

I know what you are thinking, that you think African American is not a culture, or one that you don’t know enough to speak on it. But I know that African American is a culture, a very rich one that encompasses different sub-cultures that makes it unique. Depending on where you trace African American culture from, it has moved, grown, and progressed over the years. This is what makes it unique. This is what makes it rich. This is what makes it a culture we should all explore.

If you want to hear more about JoVonna’ s journey I invite you to read her book Pronouns, and follow her on her Blog.

HER STORY: JoVonna Rodriguez.

In her book Culturally Responsive Geneva Gay quoted Denman 1991 on the importance of telling personal stories, they are “lenses through which

we view and review all of human experience . . .They have power to reach deep inside us and command our ardent attention. Through stories we

see ourselves . . . Our personal experiences . . . We see what is it is to be alive, to be human.”

If you believe the power of personal stories like Gay, you will agree with me that my new friend JoVanna’s story has power to change a lot of low-

income or students of color in your classroom JoVonna is a passionate African American educator, born in New York. Her

father is Puerto Rican and her mother is African American. She grew up Rochester, New York, a town well known for the harsh winters and high

rates of crime. The first time I met this girl I just fell in love with her. There was something, I mean deep down inside of her. I mean, need to meet her in order to appreciation what I am telling you. If you are too judgmental, you could easily just dismiss her as a Graduate student

working for College for Kids instead of the positive force she is beyond that.

She wanted to participate in the College for Kids Program for 2011 summer, and I was glad when she was given the post as a teaching assistant and

also work with me in the office helping with registration.There was a link between her and I, deep down, a force determined to help

change the future despite the challenges one face as a child. JoVonna and I have different backgrounds, what I find interesting is the fact that

despite our differences we seem to share same views and dreams of life. It was then I realized the logic behind life that no matter our backgrounds and life styles some concepts in life cut across borders: Education is the vehicle to self improvement and it may never be easy for students from low-income families to achieve their dreams, however with passionate

and motivating teachers, students can achieve beyond their limitations.

FAMILY: MOTIVATE OR DISCOURAGE?

JoVonna’s family was not always supportive or encouraging but her mother never failed to acknowledge the power of education to her. As the first person to graduate from college with a BA, one might wonder what keeps her going despite not having family support all the time. But she has a innate level of positivity that she has learned to nurture and appreciate through her circumstances.

DR. Gay GENEVA…

Rather than concentrating on blaming parents for the failure of students, educators should try to work hard on improving the way they teach low-income and students of color students.

Channel the negative experiences in your students lives to something positive.

In her book Cultural Responsive . . .Gay gave an example of Lois, a kindergartener teacher who made it a point to include parents in her teaching by inviting them to attend certain events in the classroom. As a teacher I would advise you to make it a point to get to know your student’ s parents and include them in your schedule, by so doing you will realize even reluctant parents will help their children to do homework and maybe encourage their children like JoVonna’s mother.

Before College JoVonna never spent

much time in her community. She was a great student but did not invest in her surroundings because she did not know how or that it was important. Her city varied in need and it seemed overwhelming to think that she could help in some way. So instead she concentrated on her studies and enjoying being a teenager.

After College JoVonna’s been leading

community service projects since college. She now makes it her mission to mentor students and help them see that they can achieve anything despite their current situation. She uses her story as an example and how giving back can help motivate others to keep going because life is not easy for anyone.

Everyone has a story to tell. You just can never tell how much influence your story can have on your students. JoVonna’s story helps me realize that no matter where we come from, we all have to overcome struggles and that there is no excuse for failure. My culture is very different from JoVonna’s, but our struggle are still the same: To make a great life, live happy, and be successful. Education helps open these doors and being positive despite obstacles helps motivate the individual.

As educators we all have stories to tell our students, if we can take 5 minutes every week to tell our kids our stories chances are that we can motivate and be influential to some of our students.

If you feel that your story is not good enough to be told, why not make it a point to get to know your student’s stories?

The challenge for low-income students and students of color is not that they do not want to learn, the challenge is some educators do not take effort to get to know them better.

INVEST IN GETTING TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS, THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

You can learn more about JoVonna Rodriguez and her book on her website: www.joskidiesel.com

You can also find her book on Amazon.

GENEVA GAY said… “Stories are means

for individuals to project and present themselves, declare what is important. . . connect the self with

others...they turn, covey new

experiences and possibilities.”

Everyone has a story to tell and we are connect through

our stories. We can learn so much from

what we experience. But we can learn even more

from the experiences of others.

Do not be afraid to connect with your students and

motivate them to overcome obstacles in life.

Talking to JoVonna about her life experiences motivated me to do a little bit of research on the African American culture. It was with this background that I decided to visit the King Centre.

Ordinary individuals change history, Martin Luther King was no special men when he started to fight for the rights of black people. It was the power within, the voice that can only be heard by those who listen to it that motivated King to continue with his dreams up to his death.

What I concluded after I talked to JoVonna is that, the power to change society is with in and as long as one keep on pursuing their dreams it shall be attained as they asked for.

Established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King, The King Center is the official, living memorial dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., leader of America’s greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace.

People from all walks of life visit this site to pay homage to King for his dedication to civil rights movement and his ideology fro non-violence conflict reconciliation strategy.