Race & Learning: What can we as individuals do?

Race & Learning: What can we as individuals do?

Be determined to fight

It is my personal opinion that although society’s expectations may influence ethnicities differently, it is all up to the individual. They decide whether to make it a top priority and give it all they got or act on the contrary. Nobody can decide their destiny and what life they will lead but themselves.—Shirley, February 18, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Things have changed, we have overcome and we're still holding on. What it comes down to it, it depends on the individual if he/she wants to succeed or not. –Sandy, February 19, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Value education

Well I definitely have the exception and I would like to show the world that that stereotype is completely wrong. I realize that there are some Hispanics who are this way but this notion no longer has any ground as more and more Hispanics become educated.—Janette, Feb 8, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Be strong and determined to succeed

I don’t agree with the stereotypes. People will be the way they are no matter what race they may be. It is all an individual decision which affects their views on learning.--Tyra, February 19, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Discrimination is part of the real world, but as a strong human being, social issues cannot affect our life. Therefore, one can take negative acts such as discrimination against a race and turn them into inspiration to be better and prove people with issues wrong. Race and Ethnicity can motivate people with strong will to learn, to value, and to make more effort in succeeding in life.—Jacky, February 16, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

…I attended a public school and now I am a junior in college majoring in mathematics education. No matter where you come from, you can achieve anything you want. Some students regardless of color or race can still excel in some of the poorest public schools. Ultimately, it comes down to the individual student, and how much determination they have to succeed.—Suki, February 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I think whether you are a good or bad student is independent of your race or ethnicity, what really matters is when people make you feel less because of your race. In my real life, I believe that being Hispanic helped me because I never give up. I wanted to demonstrate that I could be successful even if English was not my first language!—Nanyka, February 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Be proud

Being proud of who you are and who you represent can also be the basis for learning. As a Mexican American, I try to embrace everything I am to the best of my abilities due to the motivation I have to succeed in life, and because I am proud of my race and ethnicity and confident that everyone can accomplish their goals in life.—Jacky, February 16, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Have high expectations for ourselves

Hispanics should have high expectations for themselves. Your ethnicity shouldn’t affect how you learn. Everyone is capable to learn and there is never enough to learn. Anyone is possible to be anything if they put their mind to it. Hispanics should have a high level of confidence and show those people what Hispanics can do.--Laura, Feb 7, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I think that me being Hispanic makes me want to prove myself even more to society, my parents, and myself. In my family, I am the first to go to college and I feel the pressure and the need to finish what I started. I set high expectations for myself and do everything I can to achieve them. I believe that once I finish my degree, my confidence level will increase and I would feel accomplished and relieved. –Ally February 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Be hardworking and prove others wrong

Being Hispanic at times made it difficult to overcome obstacles at times. For example, one of my high school counselors found out that I was pregnant and because I was, a high honors student as well as choir singer. The one thing she told me that stand out in my mind was her saying “you are ruined you will never accomplish anything with that baby and being single”. That really hurt me but all I said is “watch me, I will become what I have always wanted to be (a teacher) and you will still be an antiquated bitter old woman who should have never become a counselor to children”. Even though it has taken me a while to accomplish my goal, I have a lot to show for it. I graduated from high school with honors at age 18; I got married and had my daughter at 19, owned my first home at 23 and finally yet importantly will graduate this fall at 26. I cannot wait to go back to my high school and show my diplomas off.—Janette, Feb 8, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

When I accomplished this goal, I feel very proud of myself and I thought I could do even more. I know everything I did was because I wanted to demonstrate that I had the same capacity as anyone else. Luckily these experiences help me to never give up, but in many people it can be a negative influence in their lives. I think we have to teach our students about multiculturalism and diversity to make a difference in our lives.—Nanynka, Feb 13, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Greetings from the editor
Race & learning: Introduction
Race & learning: How aware are we of our ethnicity...
Race & Learning: What are the stereotypes about be...
Race & learning: How do the Hispanic stereotypes a...
Race & Learning: What can we as individuals do?
Race & Learning: What can parents do?
Race & learning: What can teachers do?