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Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1998 08:36:01 -0500 (EST)
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From: nansledd@midwest.net (Nancy A. Sledd)
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:2486] Re: : effective teacher - cultural indoctrination
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Hi to all. I have always been a lurker on this list, but when I read this
message (excerpt below) this morning, my heart hurts. We are not about
conforming this world to be just like us. We are about sharing our culture
and language with people who want to learn our language. We are, I believe,
to be sensitive to our differences and enjoy that we are all unique. How
dare we English speaking people think "our ways" are better than others.
Perhaps the Somali woman could teach us a lot as well.
I grew up in Nigeria and those English speaking non-natives who tried to
"make" the Nigerians like us were not appreciated and were laughed at behind
their backs. We are not about "Westernizing" the world. We are NOT one
people--our variety is what makes this universe so wonderful and worth
celebrating. We ARE about learning to "get along", but not about "you must
think and act like me." We share our language, we share our lives, we share
our hearts. IF the student chooses to replicate something of us in their
own lives, then so be it. If I choose to replicate something of them in my
life, so be it. But, I am NOT here to make them like me. I just am blown
away by the idea that people from other countries must adopt my entire
culture if they live in my country.
And, what is my culture? I live in rural west Kentucky and the culture of
this area is quite different than that of east Kentucky or central Kentucky
for that matter. Kentucky is certainly different than California or New
York or Florida. So, which "culture" do you suggest these people from other
countries adopt as their own?
Nancy
>Your example of the Somali woman who declines to socialize with men, and
>other students who will ot sit with members of the opposite sex are
>examples of the very behaviors and attitudes that I think we have to try
>and eliminate. These, most likely are, cultural and religious isues. Many
>cultures hold that the sexes should be separated. In the US, (and Iwould
>think in the UK) we really can't afford to accommodate these "cultural
>differences". Why do you bother to educate those people if not to make them
>able to function and thrive in domestic society? A student who will not sit
>with men/women is destined to become a citizen who will not work with
>men/women.
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Nancy A. Sledd Professional Development Coordinator,
Region I, Adult Education and Literacy
West Kentucky Educational Cooperative,
P. O. Box 9, MSU Murray, KY 42071
e-mail: nansledd@midwest.net fax: 502-762-2485
phone: 502-762-2086
**Committed to Providing Excellence in Professional Development**
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