Perspective of others

What are each of these author’s advocating for? Author Merideth Rode believes that a more inclusive world is a must for students. “I am persuaded that a more inclusive vision of our world, both past and present, is crucial for all students” (Rode, Merideth, pg. 22). This represents people’s cultures and without this how can history be really understood. The author feels that until we can incorporate these aspects of life into our view of the world, we will never be able to face the world as it is. Jose Calderon talks about the experience of racism and because that happened it made activists, people who could change the world and be more successful. “Ironically if it weren’t for the experience of racism and prejudice, he may have just been another successful lawyer” (pg. 2.4). “Perspective-taking cannot be done without addressing questions of power” (pg. 3, Calderon, Jose). When authority is questioned there are people who are strong and brave enough to question authority. Author Olivia Gude, believes in an art education for a democratic society. Art supports people in their own personal way when they want to explain a story. Creating art gives an influence to the world.

So What? Rohde wants to recognize social categories because they inform people of the differences in the world. Everyone is different in their race and that should be seen when creating a democratic society. People have gone through different experiences in their history due to their ethnicity and that should be taught to create a democratic society. “I prefer recognizing our differences and appreciating then and not denying their existence” (p. 22). This quote shows what the author is talking about when she talks about including races. She feels that we should know about differences because that is what makes a person who they are. Everyone is different why not admit it and learn that about everyone. “When we have confronted these terms, and come to understand the meaning, we are perhaps more open to looking at the world within its context” (pg. 23). This shows what the author wats us to gain from knowing about the “unknown.” If we confront the information that we do not really want to know, we can gain a better sense of what the world means and how to approach it. I see a lot of this with my community partners, they tell the staff how the children grow up and basic background information of the kid’s lives. With this information it helps me to understand what each child is going through which helps me know why they act the way they do. They never act out in horrible ways but they do get frustrated when they do not understand something and want to give up immediately. I tell them they have to push through it and then it will help them later on.

Now What? Jose Calderon has a story that fits best with my community partners in what they do to help the children. A lot of the children that my community partners help are students who knew little to no English. My community partners strive to help the kids with their English by having them read books and they take quizzes on them. The kids are constantly engaged with the English language outside of school at kid’s club. The author talks about President Obama and how he became engaged in multiple cultures to improve participation in democracy. “By learning to understand others’ perspectives, language, and culture, Barack Obama not only improved democratic participation, but a better understanding of himself.” (p. 2). Having a more diverse background can help one to understand where others come from. I attended a World Affairs council where Alexa, human rights professor at Berkley, talked about what she did as a teacher and some other topics on the agenda for the night. The most interesting question that came up that night was “how do you expect to help another country when you will never know what actually happened to them or what they have gone through?” Alexa answered that there is really no way to know what they have been through the best way to help is to understand what they are saying and if you cannot it is okay just be there to help them get through their tough experience. This reminded me of the author and how he talks about President Obama having a better understanding.