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 think you described what you have to do perfectly: you cannot go against your principal. I think what your principal said has some merit, though. Emphasizing similarities does not dodge the issue. Instead of defining cultures by how they are different, define them by how they are similar. Focus on how different cultures and races work together to overcome adversity and inequality. Instead of dialogue journals, perhaps you can add more structure to the writing. Still have students write their thoughts, but provide some prompts on which they can give their thoughts. Gail Smith's mention of suicide is greatly disturbing. A counselor should be notified immediately, and I think her parents should be notified, unless you think she is in an unsafe or abusive situation with her parents. This makes the situation even more complicated, and I would seek guidance from the principal.