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  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!)
First, the journal needs to be turned into the appropriate people at your school. Every school has a protocol when dealing with situations like suicide. My guess would be the guidance office. Next, during this weeks readings it seems that you are not integrating the culturally relevant texts. Placing an emphasis on African American culture isn't being culturally relevant. You said that there was a diverse ethnic makeup, so mix it up. Your dialogue journals can still focus on differences but there needs to be an element of connection across cultures as well.