Response to Episode 3: The Story of Schools

          In episode three, it was harrowing to observe the way in which students were treated based on their ethnic groups. I was appalled that the white/Caucasian groups not allowing those of different races to embrace their culture. For instance, when they discouraged Spanish students to speak Spanish and celebrate their holidays. The idea of segregated schools still makes me cringe when it is brought up. I grew up in a town that had little diversity, but I enjoyed the diversity among students that we had. I could not imagine forcing them to go to a different school due to the cultural background. I found it fascinating asking those with different beliefs and cultures about their culture. As a teacher, I want to be open to all cultures and want to encourage my students to embrace their culture and share it.

            I was not only irritated with the segregation and lack of support for all students. I was also upset to hear that when integration became an element in the schools that they only dealt with students. The African American teachers were out of jobs because they did not allow them to teach in these integrated school systems. This was infuriating because if they are trying to teach students that they are equal then all teachers should be hired and treated the same way as a good example. This shows that they did not really fix the problems faced in the United States because they were not really integrating students and even in some communities further on they just found new names for segregation.

            It was interesting to hear the true stories of how these students overcame the inequality that they were forced to face. Their stories were encouraging and changed this nation for the better. Dorothy Raffel’s story was fascinating to me because it helped in pushing equality amongst genders, which was important. I think this was the story that most related to myself because I played basketball and sports, which could have never happened without this law being put into action. Though these problems of equality were fixed, it was hard to know that they have not been fully put right. Some sports still refuse to allow girls to participate. Students with disabilities still have not been integrated into classes with all other students. They still do zoning in some areas to keep schools separated by race. I look forward to seeing how much these areas will be improved overtime.