On January 17, I started the last semester of my graduate program in Special Education. I am taking 6 semester hours--spending half-days in my own classroom, half-days in another teacher's classroom, then chauffeuring kids to dance/basketball/scouts, going to class, and keeping up (trying to) with my responsibilities for two volunteer board positions. I have been struggling to keep up with all my stuff, and even though I told myself that no matter what I would make sure to keep writing...I'm worried that this blog will fall by the wayside until May.
I hope that you all can stick with me for the next few months while I try on this whole micro-blogging thing that Multicultural Familia founder, Chantilly, recommended on her blog Bicultural Mom. Instead of me sorting out my thoughts in long-form, I'll be sharing little snippets of things I find interesting. I hope that you'll find them interesting, too.
 |
| I won this shirt on My American Meltingpot! |
My American Meltingpot takes on Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, Lori is looking at white people who tell black folks' stories and profit from them. This fits right in with the series of done right here on empatheia regarding Inspiration vs. Appropriation. Lori's first post is about Kathryn Stockett and her best-selling book The Help. Check it out here.
Jesse Washington examines the phrase "African-American"
My husband has always referred to himself as Black. He dislikes being called African-American because he is not from Africa--he is American. My mom tells me stories of her time as an elementary school secretary when Nigerian-born or Senegalese-American families came in to fill out registration paperwork for school and checked the "African-American" box- because it truly explained their heritage and current citizenship. These issues and more are tackled in Jessie Washington's piece for the Associated Press which you can read here.
My daughter's hair story featured on Multicultural Familia
As a white person, I had no idea about Black people's hair... until my daughter was about 2 years old. It has been quite a journey for us. Read about it here. If you're as clueless as I was before my daughter was born, Chris Rock did an excellent documentary about the whole Black hair industry and the struggle that Black women face every day with their hair. I highly recommend that you watch Good Hair. And I sincerely thank all who have commented on Multicultural Familia, Facebook and Twitter! You have made my daughter feel even more positive about her decision to go natural in 2012!
What have you read lately that made you think? I'm short on time these days and would love for you all to point me towards the pieces that are worthwhile to read. Please share!
Natural is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jen, on your decision to go back and finish. I have so much respect for your work ethic and desire to make a difference. You've already touched so many of your student's lives without finishing the SPED MA. So many new opportunities for you.
ReplyDeleteHey. I'm not going anywhere. I may fall behind in my reading but I'm with ya, whether you're long or micro-blogging.
As for reading, I've been mainly reading novels and more journal articles for school. Finally read GRAPES OF WRATH and FAHRENHEIT 451. They're as relevant today as they were in the time periods they were written. Big hugs to you, my friend. Burn it up! : )
Thank you for your loyal reading, Ezzy :-) That makes my day! I appreciate your support for my schooling, too. I know you know firsthand how hard it is to juggle everything.
ReplyDeleteI read Fahrenheit 451 several years ago and it really does fit with the AZ book ban, doesn't it?!? Timeless...though I wish we'd stop banning books and make it obsolete. I haven't read Grapes of Wrath since h.s.! Maybe when I finish school I can revisit it. I'm sure I'd have a new appreciation. All I remember is thinking "This book is looooong!" I'll have much more time to read after May 12. Hugs and love to you, Ezzy! And let me know if you read any interesting journal articles for school! I am always available to talk that ed talk with you!
I'm going to have to go check out your post on MF! I saw the documentary by Chris Rock and loved it. I had no idea how big of a business "hair" could be and the pressures some feel to conform. I love the natural look! Kuddos to your sweet daughter!
ReplyDelete