Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: De-emphasize Differences. I was recently assigned to the middle school in the Warren School District. The district serves a community that had once been an all-white middle-class enclave, but has recently become more diverse in its ethnic makeup. I am very interested in multicultural education. I instituted the use of dialog journals in my adviser group, telling the students that they can write anything they want. Some journal entries cause me concern. Warren Jackson, an African American, complains that my emphasis on African American culture embarrasses him. Gail Smith, a white girl, writes that her parents object strongly to her affection for Warren Jackson and that she is considering suicide. My problems come to a head in my first meeting with the principal. The principal suggests that I decrease his use of small groups, that I abandon my dialogue journals, and that I de-emphasize the multicultural aspects of my classes. He suggests that I emphasize similarities, not differences. I don't know what to do. I do think that my methods have some value but I cannot go against my principal. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I really like the idea of using dialogue journals. By using these journals, the students have the opportunity to express their thoughts privately and without the judgement of others. It is very important that you continue to keep reading these journals for these specific reasons. I would suggest asking the counselor to talk to Gail about why she is having these thoughts. It might lead to a good discussion between Gail and her parents about multicultural differences. Since Warren is feeling embarrassed by the way you are teaching, maybe you need to reevaluate the way you teach the differences. Perhaps it is better to discuss similarities as well as differences. It might also be a good idea to discuss the positive impact each cultural has had on society today.