Others People Children: The Silenced Dialogue

 September 12

Lisa Delpit's "Others Peoples Children

We can relate "Others Peoples Children" to our recent read of Alan Johnson's, "Privilege, Power and Differences" by mentioning the "culture of power" in our society and how usually those who fit into the S.C.W.A.A.M.P category will also fit into the category of those more powerful in the "culture of power".  Like the example given on page 25, "children from middle-class homes tend to do better in school than those from non middle-class homes, because the culture of the school is based on the culture of the upper and middle class - of those in power". The most prominent cultures are those most represented and supported.

On the first page, Delpit uses a quote from a black female teacher explaining how white people often don't really hear black voices,"No, they listen, they just don't hear - you know how your mama used to say you listen to the radio but you hear your mother? Well they don't hear me." This can be related to the S.C.W.A.A.M.P concept we just learned about and how many more privileged people automatically also have the privilege of being heard. She also touches on the concept that those with power are least aware or least accepting of it which Alan Johnson also agrees with. Delpit continues to focus on the effect of this, specifically in the classroom. How even if white teachers are not racist or have no ill intent with their teaching, they still teach differently than black teachers and in a way that they subconsciously cater towards those who already have cultural power. "Several black teachers have said to me recently that as much as they'd like to believe otherwise, they cannot help but conclude that many of the 'progressive' educational strategies imposed by liberals upon black and poor children could only be based on a desire to ensure that the liberals' children get sole access to the dwindling pool of American jobs"(29).

Personally, I found it important to have read these two most recent readings that touch on similar topics but are written from completely different points of view. Having one author who fits the S.C.W.A.A.M.P criteria and one who doesn't, one who has constant experience with privilege and one who faces everyday disadvantages is really insightful.

Attached below is a video of Lisa Delpit speaking further on similar topics involving education.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzBbZRtPuUs