Journal #2

I will be reflecting on two quotes that stood to me in Lisa Delpit's "Other People's Children." The first quote comes from one of the five aspects of power proposed by Depit, "Those with power are frequently least aware of- or at least willing to acknowledge- it existence. This with less power are often most aware of its existence." (p. 24, PDF) This quote encapsulates the aspect of power and how it can be seen and used against people of color and benefit those of power. Unfortunately, because most of the research and ideologies were created by white people- the "truth"- there lacks the true perspective of people of color.  This prevents white people to consider the other perspectives other than their very own. I believe we have to consider the fact that American culture is not only made with one point of you or that it is just one plain color. 

The second quote that I want to reflect further address the inequality of power and how reading programs are created with the idea that all students grow up with the same experience and come prepared to school in the same manner. The quote says, " To provide schooling  for everyone's children that reflects liber, middle-class values and aspirations is to ensure the maintenance of the status quo, to ensure that power, the culture of power, remains in the hands of those who already have it." (Delpit, p. 28, PDF) This power affirms that not all education programs are created to deliver equity bur rather enforce the "status-quo" and further divide those with power and the ones without. For example, Delpit provides a perfect example of just how some reading programs reinforces the division of power when she writes about how students who don't come to school know some of the phonetic alphabet sounds used to read they are quickly labeled as "remedial."

The third quote I will reflect on comes from Robert Lake's "An Indian Father's Plea" addressing the importance of funds of knowledge. The quote state, "Wind-Wolf was strapped in snugly with a deliberate restriction upon his arms and leg. Although you in Western society may argue that such a method serves to hinder motor-skill development and abstract reasoning, we believe it forces the child to first develop his intuitive faculties, rational intellect, symbolic thinking, and five sense." (Lake, p. 155, PDF). As educators or adults working with children it is important to celebrate the funds of knowledge children already have because this will help them build their identity and grow their educational experience. The article clearly demonstrates the vast amount funds of knowledge Wind-Wolf already possesses. Why should all that be stripped away from him just because he may think to solve a problem differently than the average person. I believe that it is important to be thoughtful that students who may come from other cultures do not come to school with an empty vessel. In the contrary, they may hold tons of knowledge just as the article clearly defends.