ipl-logo

The Significance Of Ethnic Studies In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

699 Words3 Pages

Infinite possible definitions of Ethnic Studies exist, depending on the person and their experience, which is tailored based upon their history of communities and background. This course opened doors for the 9th-grade classroom to acknowledge the common struggles of communities and stabilize their perspective of the world. As freshmen in high school, we entered a new era in our lives with the coined term “Ethnic Studies” being relatively recent in the district—the masses had doubts about this course’s potential effectiveness and purpose. In a literal sense, the roots of this word describe this course with a great focus on studying ethnicities; but experiencing the curriculum, it might just be a more practical, down-to-Earth approach to educating …show more content…

As seen in the second unit of the 9th grade SDUSD Ethnic Studies course: “How have others shaped your identity?” we have connected with certain characters with whom we are dissimilar. Such as seeing our community in a perspective nearly identical to how Scout Finch sees Maycomb. Being immersed in the story of To Kill a Mockingbird made me realize how similar we are as people, in nature, even though we are separated by ethnic background or cultural identity. Embracing those similar aspects may be a step in the right direction to preventing the mistreatment of minority groups in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, orientation, age, nationality, and many more. It was easy to relate to Scout and analyze how her community has shaped her identity because certain aspects of her life reflected modern-day struggles, making them universal. In a sense, this lesson has shaped how I view Ethnic Studies, which indirectly affected my perspective of …show more content…

By providing ample material to spread awareness of certain groups, this course built a foundation for me to see society through a different lens. For instance, given that communities are different, there may be assumptions based upon unawareness because the standards and norms may be generally dissimilar. It is human nature to assume stereotypes, with malicious intent or without, when unaware because of the common fear of the unknown. Ethnic Studies educate open-mindedly, helping us analyze each perspective before taking a stance. Before this course, I could not understand why people would resort to acting on their prejudices; now, I find myself examining how deep-rooted those prejudices are. Another impact that Ethnic Studies aim to have is a set of values that can apply to modern-day conflicts, described as “The Seven Cs”. These values consist of Cultivating well-being, Celebrating heritage, Centering marginalized knowledge, Critiquing our relationship to power and oppression, Challenging imperialist beliefs and practices, Connecting past with present movements, and Conceptualizing a possible world rooted in liberation. All of these factors can affect how this class can impact someone. However, to me, Ethnic Studies is a principle, an umbrella term that encompasses the social education of ethnicities, communities, and identities

Show More
Related
1878 Words | 8 Pages

“Where is it Written” by Adam Schwartz, is a story about a difficult relationship between Sam and his mother Sandra. First, Sam wanted his father to have full custody of him because he wanted to spend more time with him. Then, Sam remembers the conflicts he had with his mother. Finally, he realizes that his mother is not a bad person. Coming of age is in important theme in which an adolescent becomes mentally mature.

Read More
558 Words | 3 Pages

These types of classes allow students to be themselves, as well as learn the history that comes with their story. These types of courses interest Chicanos/as, and allow them to prosper intellectually and socially in society. 3.) How do you feel taking Ethnic Studies impacted the students? a.) When students from a race who is being oppressed, is able to talk, write, and learn about their culture, they can look at society in different eyes.

Read More
1157 Words | 5 Pages

It encourages an open and in-depth investigation into the experiences of people of color and other underrepresented groups in society. In addition, it makes it possible for us to acknowledge the significance of these groups in our society and to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the individual and collective contributions they have made to our culture and history. Giving the reason why Ethnic Studies must be taught from an interdisciplinary viewpoint since this provides us with the opportunity to acquire a holistic understanding of the history and experiences of these different

Read More
1339 Words | 6 Pages

Idhaant Bhosle Ms.Morgan EN 100 (H) 8 March 2023 The Role of Language, Power, and Societal Status in Confronting Racism and Inequality in To Kill a Mockingbird Race has always been a defining factor in American society, shaping the way people interact with each other and the world around them. Similarly, In Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores how race structures relationships in terms of power, language, and social status. To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s, the novel is told from the eyes of Jean Louise Finch, Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in a world where society is divided by the prejudices of others. Scout is the daughter of Atticus Finch, a lawyer, defending an African

Read More
1004 Words | 5 Pages

Tatum explores how people negotiate and understand their racial identity and how this affects their experiences and viewpoints, with effective use of the concept of "racial identity formation (Tatum, 2017). " From pre-encounter to internalization, the author thoroughly analyzes the many stages of racial identity development and how they affect people and their experiences. An in-depth analysis of the methods by which racial stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination are spread, as well as the effects they have on people and communities, is also provided by

Read More
706 Words | 3 Pages

It's hard for me to believe that there are people who oppose ethnic studies classes. To me those opposing the Mexican-American Studies Program, such as Tom Horne and John Huppenthal, seemed to have racist or discriminatory underlying reasons to their opposition. As a first generation Mexican-American female, I can relate to the students in those courses who spoke about feeling belittled or unimportant. Classes like the ones offered in the Mexican-American Studies Program do help these students of color, including myself, feel seen and heard. Unfortunately, my high school didn't offer similar classes, so I didn't learn much about my people's history until I got to college.

Read More
994 Words | 4 Pages

In February 2022, fourteen states passed prohibitions on teaching about racial topics that could possibly cause disagreement or hostility between people. (Krebs). Any topic could arouse disagreement; that’s what makes each human an individual. Different states have stricter or broader interpretations of the critical race theory that do not punish teachers for merely teaching a concept that exists without advocating for the truth of the concept. Joshua Gutzmann analyzed the pros and cons from broader interpretations leaving teachers skeptical about which curriculum is allowed to be taught.

Read More
1121 Words | 5 Pages

The decision to attend a white school is a tough one and Junior understands that for him to survive and to ensure that his background does not stop him from attaining his dreams; he must battle the stereotypes regardless of the consequences. In this light, race and stereotypes only makes junior stronger in the end as evident on how he struggles to override the race and stereotypical expectations from his time at the reservation to his time at Rearden. How race and stereotypes made

Read More
922 Words | 4 Pages

The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee displays the concepts of racism and prejudice as two siblings, Jem and Scout, make their way through a summer in the town of Maycomb. A town where prejudice is prevalent and the problem of racism is exponentially increasing, causing more and more social issues in Maycomb. At the beginning of the book, the main character, Scout, is shown as a little girl, very young and innocent, who has no concept of what racial prejudice is, even though it is spreading rapidly throughout her town. Although she starts out as this naive and simple girl, she makes her way through the summer and learns the reality of living in a world where racial prejudice is so heavily normalized.

Read More
1188 Words | 5 Pages

In our society, racism is deeply ingrained in America. The U.S. has had a history of oppressive race-based legislation; these include slavery, concentration camps that held Japanese Americans, as well as Native Americans forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. These examples encompass a theory known as the Critical Race Theory (CRT). Following months of appeals for racial equality and anti-racism efforts, a debate over CRT erupted in 2020 about whether the concept should be taught in schools and questions arose about what the theory truly teaches. CRT can help trace racism throughout America’s history and determine how it can affect minorities through cultural perceptions of race.

Read More
920 Words | 4 Pages

Critical race theory is an organized framework for the exact purpose of critical argument and racism theory that is based on the idea that race is not a characteristic of physically distinct groups, but instead a culturally defined category that is used to oppress minority groups. In “The Trials of Critical Race Theory”, this documentary shares the different points of view based on the citizens' personal beliefs and experiences about teaching race at school. Critical race theory critics are expressing their concerns regarding the systematic racism that is occurring in schools due to its implementation. The documentary is showing the different perspectives on how critical race theory should be taught in schools, whether race and

Read More
956 Words | 4 Pages

In daily events, problems with race conflict occur. As found oftenly in colleges and universities and everywhere else throughout the world, people are judged upon the color of their skin. Studies find, “This encounter with racial diversity can either diminish or solidify racial stereotypes…” By people creating stereotypes, they are believing the false accusations. This in which is an action that should not take place. Those who act upon these people lose out on the opportunity to truly know those people and understand them to the fullest of their ability.

Read More
979 Words | 4 Pages

Ultimately, ethnic studies promote American ideals, create identity, and only create contempt when being constrained from these courses. Ethnic studies should be implemented in schools, because they promote American ideals of diversity, inclusion, and freedom. In a place like America, where diversity is supposed to be the building block of our nation, one would think that different ethnic groups would have the right to study their own identity. Students question this in the film and make claims such as, “Education is so against me that they don’t want me.” Evidently, with the threat of abolishing ethnic studies courses, students feel a lack of inclusion, which defies American values.

Read More
1021 Words | 5 Pages

I know just from being from a certain race people believe that sometimes that defines us as a whole. There is always a race being discriminated, oppressed and even treated unequally. I clearly understood that taking this course opened me up to the different events. It is really difficult to see that we live in this environment even though many whose

Read More
1395 Words | 6 Pages

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee presents a large social atmosphere that includes many different cultures and extremes. The story takes place in the southern town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. This novel illustrates how the southerners perceived different ideas about each other and social norms. It is told through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch, as she is growing up and becoming influenced by societal attitudes. Throughout the course of this book Scout learns many lessons including: how a society functions, why there is conflict between different cultures, and what makes cultures different from each other.

Read More

More about The Significance Of Ethnic Studies In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Related Topics

Open Document