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- Essay Name : 1264.txt
- Uploader : Jose Diaz
- Email Address :
- Language : english
- Subject : Politics
- Title : Multiculturalism
- Grade : B-
- School System :
- Country : U.S.
- Author Comments : none
- Teacher Comments : reorganize thoughts
- Date : 11-19-96
- Site found at : a friend
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- In, "Multiculturalism and the Common Center," Diane Ravitch compares the
- plualist views on what the curriculum in the schools should include. The
- pluralist would like to include the history of all cultures while the
- particularist want to have the different cultures taught only their own history. In order to
- live in a multicultural world pluralism is neccessary because people are more tolerant of
- each other if they understand where a person is coming from and what their background is.
- Ignorance is the cause of many conflicts between people, and education can prevent this
- problem.
- Particularism stresses the importance of knowing one's roots and not bothering
- with other people's history. This is a very narrow-minded way of thinking which
- leads to stereotypes and judgements that people make. Particularism causes groups to be
- formed which exclude those who are not of the same race. America is thought of as
- Eurocentric and not as a mixture of all cultures. Particularist believe that the schools are
- only teaching European culture and forgetting about other cultures. Therefore supporters
- of particularism are trying to use particularism to give children self-esteem. They believe
- that if minorities can see that other minorities have done great things in the past they will be
- inspired to achieve high goals. Black History Month was supposed to give African
- American children self-esteem according to particularist, but they do not have Asian
- History Month or Indian History Month. What is taught in school should apply to
- everyone. Particularism is not the main component in giving a child self-esteem. An
- inspiring teacher or role model--not necessarily of the same race--plays a major role in
- developing a child's self-esteem. Michael Jordan is a positive role model for many children
- of all races, not just African Americans.
- Pluralism stresses one common culture brought together by a variety of cultures.
- Pluralism will teach children to be open minded and accepting of all people regardless of
- the color of their skin by teaching them why people are different. Children need to be
- prepared for the real world and this world their are people of every ethnic origin. It can
- not be ignored that we must all live and work together. When a child grows up
- and begins his/her career, he/she will be sitting next to people of other races. A person
- does not have to deny or forget what their background is, but it is important to be educated
- in every aspect of history, not just his/her own. Children can be very critical of other
- children, especially if they look or act different, but if they understand why, they will be
- less critical. Pluralism will ultimately give the best results. It opens a person up to new
- things. One of the great things about America is its diversity, and we should not try to
- seperate it.
- In the schools it should be required for the teachers to teach about all cultures so
- that children will be well rounded. This will prevent children from being ignorant and
- racist. If a class consists of only one race they should still be required to learn other
- races culture. A standard of teaching needs to be set that can not be changed.
- Everyday the schools become more diverse and the children need to be able to live
- comfortably in this type of environment.
- America has developed a culture of its own, and it is not entirely Eurocentric. When the
- United States of America was founded it consisted not only of Europeans but also Native
- Americans, Africans, and Spaniards. All of these cultures influenced the American culture
- and its development. The history of the world involves the collision of cultures and over
- time many of them faded into each other. Segregating the different cultures is regressing
- back to the time before the Civil Rights Movement when African Americans and Caucasians used
- different bathrooms and water fountains. It would be a mistake to use particularist ideas
- because it could cause tension and resentment between cultures. Pluralism will end ignorance
- ans create a nation where people can live together in harmony.
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