Schools, Prisons, and Social Implications/Defining Racism/The Complexity of Identity

Article: Schools, Prisons, and Social Implications of Punishment: Rethinking Disciplinary Practices

Author: Pedro A. Noguera

This author argues that schools in the U.S. function as prisons rather than learning environments and that it is common practice for schools to overemphasize behavior and punish the students with the greatest economic, social, academic, and emotional needs.

(1)  Is there an overemphasis on behavior in schools in the U.S.?

(2) Are we seeing these things happening in our schools?

(3) What can administrators do to change the culture in these schools?

Article: Defining Racism "Can we talk?"
Author: Tatum B.

This author argues that racism is systemic, a "system of advantage based on race", that it involves cultural messages, institutional policies, beliefs/actions of individuals, and practices. That unless we reflect on our own prejudices, we will pass these beliefs/actions/practices, and messages on to our children, continuing the cycle.

(1) Are White Americans sometimes oblivious to the fact that racism exists?

(2) People of color cannot be racist when defining racism as a system of advantage based on race.

(3) Not all white people benefit from racism equally. Things like socioeconomic status, gender, age, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, mental and physical ability play a role.

Article: The Complexity of Identity "Who am I?"
Author: Tatum B.

In this chapter the author argues that our identities are shaped by individual characteristics, how others see us, life experiences and it influences our decisions throughout our lives.

(1) Subordinate group knows all about the dominant group, but the dominant group knows nothing about the subordinate group.

(2) The dominant group live in denial, not wanting to admit the "existence of inequality"

(3) The dominant group world view has saturated the media.