Learning from our History: Reflection on the Ethnic Panel Discussion

By Bridgette Snow

College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
September , 2010

Today we attended a panel discussion on ethnicity. I was surprised in the diversity of panelist. One, a student from CW Post, two doctoral students undergoing graduate schooling, an English teacher and a principle. It was very interesting to listen to the young student speak first. She spoke of her diversity in her ethnics. She also spoke of her culture and where she derived from. Although she said most peoples’ first impression was to ask what mix she was, she didn’t speak so much of being bullied or picked on.

I would have assumed this discussion would be based around that. I was quick to learn that each panelist was there for a different reason. The two doctoral students spoke of the statistics seen in ethnical differences in degrees granted to students. They spoke of how 77% where given to white students and only 10% to African American students. This is a very large variation in numbers and would suggest that more research should be conducted in this area. I don’t agree that this has to do with ethnicity, maybe the percentages of African American students was superiorly smaller in numbers?

The next speaker really caught my attention. I learned that ethnicity does form, in some cases, gangs or groups that keep distance from each other. Although at a younger age the students don’t really pay attention to color, as they grow into secondary school they are learning more and more about where they came from. Some students take this as a time to stand up for their culture and against others that they are not related to. This English teach spoke of how in Texas they were going to ban the learning of ethnics in their schooling systems. She was highly against this movement. I agree with her strongly. She passed out hand written paragraphs conducted by her students, which they all disagree with this movement as well.

I do agree that we learn from our mistakes in history. I agree that learning and becoming aware of these ethnic differences is something all students should learn. It brings about awareness in ethnicity and should be taught at all levels in school. I was pleased to hear from the attending principle of an elementary school that students at such a young age do not see color as a factor. I feel as generations are passing less and less diversity in ethnic views is being judged. I enjoyed listening to different perspectives on ethnicity.