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 it is important to emphasize both similarities and differences between cultures. With this in mind I think that it is important that you continue to allow students to use the dialogue journals and that you also continue to allow the students to be in small groups. The students seem to be most comfortable with in the groups and when using the dialogue journals. I would also suggest getting in contact with the counselor to allow the counselor to come in and speak to students about the importance of appreciating and respecting all people of all cultures. I would pull Warren to the side to see exactly what it is that makes him so embarrassed. Teach Warren that he should ALWAYS be proud of his cultural background, and that he should never feel ashamed. I would explain to Warren that the things discussed in class are part of a curriculum that I must follow, but I'm willing to accommodate him in any way that I can. Something you could do is every time you have to give a lesson that pertains to African Americans, you could find a different culture that faced similar situations, so Warren won't feel singled out. As for Gail, Gail needs to speak with the school counselor and have a sit down with her parents to explain how overwhelmed she feels.