An Indian Father's Plea
By: Medicine Grizzlybear
Quotes:
"He is 5 years old, in kindergarten, and I can't understand why you already labeled him a slow learner"
This Quote is one of Wind-Wolf's fathers main concern. His child is only in kindergarten, and as the reader discovers Wind-Wolf has already gone through many experiences as a a very young child. He is already well-rounded culturally. He has been through, and seen a lot! Why is it he is already labeled a slow-learner this early in the game? Because he is learning/ has learned differently than the other kids in the classroom? The kid is only in kindergarten, so who is the teacher to say that the child is slow? The father, Medicine Grizzlybear has every right in the world to be concerned.
"He is not culturally disadvantaged he is culturally different"
Its sad that Wolf-Wind is being categorized as challenged, when in fact he is not at all, he just has learned different things than the other children and the teacher.Medicine Grizzlybear went on to explain that Wolf-Wind may say there are 13 months in a year because he has been taught there are 13 full moons in a year. Wolf-Wind is not dumber than anyone else in the class,and in many cases he may be more smarter than the others. he has been raised up in a different culture than the other children leading to him knowing different information than others.
"yesterday for the third time in two weeks, Wolf-Wind came home crying saying he wanted to cut his hair"
Long hair represents masculinity in the Indian culture. Wind-Wolf is ashamed of his long hair because he keeps getting bullied for it. This is very sad, for both Wolf-Wind and his father. His father wants him to be proud of his culture and the way he looks, but because it is making him different from the other kids he is getting bullied for it.
Medicine Grizzlybear went on to explain his son is not an empty class going to school to be filled, but he is filled with knowledge and wants the teacher to allow him to spread his knowledge with the class. If the teacher does a better part in explaining to the class who Wolf-Wind is in a sense that will allow him to be more proud of his culture than ashamed of it, than she is doing a good job as a teacher. Her lack of understanding the Indian culture, and embracing it in her classroom is making Wolf-Wind feel like an outcast. Its very sad.
I posted the image above because it would be great if we lived in a world where everyone is proud of their heritage. In the society we live in, it will probably be impossible for everyone of all cultures to be completely proud of who they are.
I attached the link above because i thought it was in interesting article about why we should embrace our culture.
I love how you said that long hair represents masculinity in Indian culture because every culture has something they should be proud of and want people to know about. I like your arguments. Nobody should be getting bullied for what they are apart of. Really good job!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of your responses are what a lot of people were thinking while reading this article. Everyone brings something different to a classroom and that is what is so great about going to diverse schools. Learning things about the world and others is something that is not necessarily taught but it is definitely something children learn as they go through their educational process. Being open and accepting to these new cultures and people is a large part of what prepares students for the bigger world outside of their schools and towns. I really liked what you had to say for each of these quotes!
ReplyDeleteI liked the fact that you talked about embracing ones heritage instead of hiding it. The knowledge of the earth and nature that Wolf-WInd had, would have been just as beneficial in the classroom as it was in his home life. I also liked the article that you had, about the use of language and preserving culture so it continues on for many generations. Great Job!!
ReplyDeleteHey Jamie,
ReplyDeleteLiked your poster about being proud of your culture and heritage. I come from two very different cultures and backgrounds. One side came from Syria in 1901
and the other came from Sicily in Oct 1929 just before the depression. Luckily there were friends and family from both sides that helped each other out. I have seen both sides of the White Male Privilege, one side where I am accepted, and one side after 911, when I could not get a job for 2 years based on my Arab culture. This was a shock for me, but I got over it. Good Luck at RIC. Fred