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 that having journals for student reflection is a great way to receive feedback and for students to really explore their own thinking but with multi-cultural education I think we need to look at the differences but also show how everyone is internally the same. Having distinct groups and races is what will foster racism and discrimination. We need to embrace different cultures but not bind people to only be in one group.There are many different amazing cultures to share within a school but when it all comes down to it, we are apart of a school culture and no one should be excluded or singled-out. The part of this that would frighten me the most is the student who is having suicidal thoughts. I understand you told them that they can write whatever they like but when it comes to the safety of a student, steps need to be made immediately to help that student through.