Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Week 7 Assignment #2: America By The Numbers with Maria Hinojosa: Clarkston Georgia
Although Clarkston, GA is nearby, it can feel like you've traveled thousands of miles to get there because the culture is so diverse. Your next assignment is to watch this program and then analyze the Clarkston community using the community formulas described on page 81 and 82 of your text. How would you categorize the Clarkston community? Your school community? Post a paragraph to complete this assignment.
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I would classify the Clarkston Community using the following formula: A + B + C = A1 + B1 + C1. This formula identifies the white, black and refugee community. The refugee’s goal is to be a part of America, to contribute to America and to become American citizens. As the refugees work to become American citizens, they continue to practicing their cultural heritage, combining American and Refugee culture. The black and white cultures are learning to adapt to the refugees dominance of their community; showing a split in cultures, yet a common goal of all being a part of a democracy.
ReplyDeleteMy school community is actually a different formula; A + B + C = A. With A being the dominant culture, all students are expected to share the same values and beliefs within our school community. From school-wide rules to county wide and now national curriculum standards, all students are expected to follow the norm of the American way.
I believe the Clarkston community would be represented by the formula A + B + C = A + B + C. In this formula, groups live within the same area, but they have little interaction with each other, and no one group becomes altered by another. Although I believe some groups in Clarkston do mix, I believe overall, the whites, blacks, and refugees continue to maintain their own cultural identities
ReplyDeleteI believe my school community would be represented by the formula A + B + C = D. In this formula, groups develop into a unique new cultural group. This is the third year of existence of my school, and the staff came from many different schools. Because each prior school had its own way of doing things, all of the staff had to adapt and blend together as one when opening Burnette Elementary. We had to decide what our beliefs and values would be. There was no one dominate group of teachers from one school; therefore, the culture at Burnette Elementary School was formed as we blended many ideas and values together.
I strongly believe that the Clarkston community would be best represented by the formula A+B+C= A+B+C. According to this formula, the three groups live together within the same society, Clarkston, GA, but they have no interaction with each other. They did not adapt each others cultural aspects while living together. For example, the biggest refugee group, Somalian, has been staying peacefully in the Clarkston community with the other groups, such as Whites, Blacks, and others, but they are proud to keep their own cultural values.
ReplyDeleteThey live in the same area, most of them work at Dekalb farmers market, wear their traditional clothes, eat their native foods, attend their own churches and mosques, and make sure that their children also represent their cultural aspects in the schools.
The formula A+B+C= A represent my school community. This formula represent the concept of assimilation, in which all people are expected to accept values, beliefs, and patterns of the dominant culture, the A group. People are expected to take characteristics of the A group A as their own. People will have to give up or replace their own cultural aspects. In our school, we have students from numerous countries, but after enrolling in the school they are expected to share the same values and beliefs. For example, all Gwinnett county school students must follow the county and school rules, regardless of their ethnicity.
I believe the Clarkston community fits the formula A + B + C = A1 + B1 + C1. The three groups are the immigrants, whites and blacks. The immigrants are the largest group, they live and work to become American citizens so they will have a voice in the community. They contribute to the community by purchasing, and maintaining residences and businesses. The whites and blacks are the minorities and struggle with welcoming the immigrants into the community, but as the video showed there are glimmers of hope as some are working with the immigrants to achieve a balance. I am impressed with the councilwoman and the Thrift grocery store owners, who maintain their own identity while allowing the immigrants in. Clarkston is a community of change as most of our country is at this time.
ReplyDeleteMy school community fits the formula A + B + C = A, this is very different for me. I taught at a Title 1 school in Lawrenceville for 15 years, we accepted everyone and worked very hard to learn from our differences. When I moved to my new non Title 1 school 5 years age, I was shocked that this type of dynamic still exists, mostly white, upper middle class. Over the last 5 years, my school dynamics have changed. We have more Mexican and Blacks moving in, and I sense many teachers fear through their comments: I can't teach these kind of kids, I can't understand ebonics, We never had dirty students, Why can't they learn English, Translators are such a pain. I feel embarrassment, confusion, and anger at these remarks. I don't engage in argument, but try to model better behavior.
What an interesting story. I used to live very near Clarkston and I know he older white man, Graham that was interviewed. As to he culutral makeup of Clarkston the formula A+B+C=A1+B1+C1 best represents this city. I hope that they will grow toward A+B+C=D. The interview brought up some questions about fear and change which I found interesting mostly because I had been thinking about the changing face of America in the days leading up to the election. Is it horrible that white faces are declining and faces of color are increasing? To my mind everyone who is not a Native American is an immigrant. So part of me says I really don't see what the big deal is. Change is natural and if we are to continue we must adapt. Another part of me knows the uncomfortble feeling that comes from living in a place where most people do not look like you or think like you.
ReplyDeleteAs to the formula for my school if we are talking about students then it would be A+B+C=A. I wish we could say A+B+C=D but we don't have that option yet.
Clarkston, in the short term will likely look like this formula:
ReplyDeleteA + B + C + D... -> A1 + B1 + C1 + D1 + E . The many distinct populations will persist, but none will be unchanged by the experience. With very low incomes, refugees are under pressure to conform in order to participate fully in the economy. Like the Mellingers, the white Clarkston couple that owns the ThriftTown food market, the immigration is a settled fact, and to stay profitable, the new refugee business owners must reach outside of their own nationality. There will be a new fast-growing population of mixed families, who, over the longer term, after a few generations, will have created a new culture, where the ratios and levels of influences will be impossible to sort out.
In my school community in Norcross, the economic level is a bit higher and the international mix is simpler, but the processes at work, the "helping the development of a nation" , are similar. Norcross’ population increased by 1/3 between the 2000 census and the 2010 census. In the 2010 census, only 56 percent of households listed English as their first language. 33 percent report speaking Spanish as their primary home language. Now this, independent of cultural or economic pressures, is enough to create big challenges for public schools. The schools will try to honor the diversity of origins, but mostly I see Hispanic families anxious for their children to assimilate and succeed according to local school standards. Like the Clarkston mayor's recalling his initial reactions to the refugees, Norcross's 2000 population will be forever transformed by the new arrivals with whom they will intermarry and eventually fully accommodate.
A + B -> A1 + B1 + C(growing over time)
Leslie Taylor
This Clarkston community is A + B + C = A + B + C. These people live in the same community but the refugees do not interact with the whites and vice versa. I agree with Emanuel Ransom that people are trained to be prejudice. Children are innocent and look at things much different than we do as adults. As I have mentioned before, my younger students classify their peers as that boy over there or that girl over there. In third grade is when they start to classify their peers as that black boy over there or that white girl over there. I still can not believe that it is the 21st century and some of the whites in this town still are racist even though they are now the minorities in this community now. I find it humorous when Graham Thomas was telling the reporter that the refugees were building fires on the floors and burning their houses along with drinking water out of the commode even though he had not seen this happen. This is just hear say. It seems like the council of the town is trying to unite the different groups. The refugees just want an opportunity to be treated fairly because they aren’t treated like that in their home countries.
ReplyDeleteMy school community is A + B + C = D. My school is fairly new. It is only 3 years old and teachers/staff brought their own schools’ culture to our new school. Most of the staff has blended together but are still kept their old beliefs from their prior schools. This year I have noticed that there is more “Our Ideas and Values” versus “My Ideas and Value” being said around the school. I feel that this year our staff is meshing better together as a group instead staying individualized. Our principal has helped a lot with this process. We now function as a team which is much easier than as individuals.
Based on this documentary, I have come up with a formula of my own. A+B+C= A-1+Bsubscript1+Bsubscript1+Csubscript1. Where A represents the diminishing dominant(caucasian)group and b1 and b2 are foreign nationals taking on a new American way of life while maintaining their original culture.As far as my school community goes, it is an A+B+c= A+B+c situation, where A is the dominant culture made up of standards set by the school district,the teachers and administration enforcing the standards.B is the large Latino population and the lower case c represents the small group of African Americans mixed with other groups. In this dynamic despite the low number in the population of the dominant group, their will is still carried out because of economic power.
ReplyDeleteI believe it’s an A + B + C = A1 + B1 +C1 because each of the cultures has picked up a little of others beliefs/cultures and traditions. The owners of The Thiftown Grocery Store is a prime example. In order to keep his store open, he began to hire refuge clerks and consulted them as to what items they would purchase. He began to cater to the refugees the refuges are also becoming US citizens, but still observing their cultural background.
ReplyDeleteMy school on the other hand is A + B + C = A and moving towards an A + B + C = A + B + C pattern. This shift is very gradual, but as the school becomes more minority, the staff is becoming more accepting of culture and see the importance of keeping that culture alive. I’m not sure if we would ever move to the A + B + C = A + B + C because of common core and the state testing. I feel both the common core and state testing are based upon a traditionally white curriculum.
The Clarkton community is an A+B+C+=A1+B1+C1. The individual groups are developing and changing into a new cultural group. Many of the refugees are in the process of Americanization recognizing the need to gain economic power starting businesses and political power registering to vote. This is the first step for Clarkston's beginning the process of Americanization. As the children grow the next generation and their children will probably represent the melting pot society and blend into and contributing to the new American society. Families will blend together as the Mellingers, the Thift store owners one was from Italy and the other was from Germany.
ReplyDeleteMy school community is represented by A+B+C=D with all groups expected to accept the values, and beliefs of the administration. Our administration was all Caucasian until 6 months ago a Black female was added to the admistration staff. Our school's population has changed in the last two years from 1/3 Caucasian, 1/3 Asian, and 1/3 black to 50% Black and 1/4 Caucasian and 1/4 Asian. Caucasian is the dominant culture and enforces the values, beliefs of the A group. An example was Martin Luther King's "real birthday" January 15 was not even mentioned on the morning annoucements.
Can I scream????????? Graham Thomas has raised my internal thermostat! This video took me back to Noel's Chapter Two: Stereotyping, Racism, and Prejudice (2008). No matter how much I digest the rhetoric behind peoples fears, it still angers me that ignorance is perpetuated. Mr. Thomas readily admits that he has no proof of the things he espouses, but he continues to believe them true: refugees are lighting fires in the middle of the room and drinking water from the toilet. He states they need to be taught how to be American. Thus, feeling threatened, he is a proponent of A + B + C = A, all immigrants need to assimilate to middle class White America. Instead of embracing all cultures, Thomas who represents White America in this video, fears becoming the minority; on the contrary, the owners of the Thrift store who remind themselves that their forefathers were also immigrants, Italian and German, provide hope that Americans might possibly be preparing themselves to accept refugees and immigrants into the mainstream. I guess it is admirable that Mayor Ransom admits his initial ignorance, that he was concerned with the increasing number of immigrants despite he should have known better, but now seeks to serve his community.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher in Gwinnett, I have taught at Dacula HS, Meadowcreek HS, Berkmar HS, Osborne MS, and now Grayson HS, and it is the ignorance of educators that has always angered me. I can recall one time too many teachers in Gwinnett talk disparagingly about Meadowcreek and Berkmar clusters. Comments have reflected their attitudes about non-White middle class Americans. I can recall when the Mill Creek Cluster was preparing to split into the Mountain View cluster and the battle of teachers being forced to go teach at the schools that would not be so privileged. And upon being displaced to Grayson, I was met again with the same attitude as Grayson divided to make the Archer cluster. So, Gwinnett has a long way to go to eradicate the poison that prevents non-white students from receiving the same opportunities as students from Parkview and Brookwood. Because it is the attitude that non-whites are not as smart or are all illegal or criminals that interferes with the process of education.
The formulas on page 81 & 82 of our text (2008) all have advantages and disadvantages, but in reference to Clarkston, A + B + C = A + B + C seems most reflective. The video showed various communities but very little interaction with each other with the exception of the council meeting where the various groups met. One comment that I heard was the refugees need to become involved. Until the refugees are citizens and secure financially civic engagement will not be a priority, and until the refugees feel welcome and respected, they will remain passive. Until then, I will enjoy and appreciate the diversity of the communities in my backyard.
Today in the United States, we are living the A+B+C=D formula. We are all from somewhere else. Our collective families journeyed to American from somewhere else, for the same reasons, clinging to the same hopes, and following the same dreams of today's immigrants. We began as different groups, and over time, become one. The white population has forgotten this. For most of us, it happened so long ago, to our ancestors whom we have only met through stories passed down or old pictures. Interesting that we take pride in our immigrant past, searching out old birth records and such on Ancestor.com but look with fear at the new groups coming to our communities, just like our families did.
ReplyDeleteThe Clarkston community is living out the same story that has happened in the past. Groups of people coming together for common reasons, from uncommon pasts. All with the same hope. To live in peace. To be able to care for their families and pursue their dreams.
Change is never easy or painless. With change, old ideas and traditions have to pass away to make room for the new. As humans, we cling to the familiar, wanting to feel safe and in control. It takes courage to embrace the unknown. I enjoyed the video, and felt encouraged that in a place so close to where I live, people are working to find a common ground.
I believe the Clarkston community is an A+B+C=A+B+C formula. It seems like most of the citizens and immigrants are keeping to themselves. However, the city counsel has a lot of work ahead of them. Many of the citizens don't really understand or try to understand the immigrants. I think many have forgotten that their families were once immigrants as well. There may be some that fear that their homes and lives will be negatively challenged. They have forgotten that life, liberty, and the pursit of happiness is not just for the chosen few.
ReplyDeleteI believe my school community is moving towards an A+B+C=D formula. Many students and staff come from many different parts of the world and are working hard to be equal, fair, and culturally sensitive. I think a new unique cultural group will emerge as the staff, students, and parents share their values and blend their customs and beliefs. It's not perfect. It's a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteI see Clarkston, GA as an A+B+C=A1+B1+C1 society. Members of each culture are continuing to hold there own traditions by means of clothing, religion, dialect, etc. but they are also learning American history, English language, and integrating into the American society. Business owners are not only focusing on products for their own culture, but they are selling items on a broad spectrum to allow for more consumers to feel welcome in their stores. I was impressed by the people who were all learning American history in order to apply for citizenship in order to become voters. If only we could get more of our non-immigrant Americans as excited about voting as these people.
ReplyDeleteI feel my school is also an A+B+C=A1+B1+C1 community. We have a very large population of immigrants both students and teachers in our school encompassing multiple cultures. We have our "Bethesda Way" of rules, behaviors, and expectations but we are also great at celebrating the diversity of our students and faculty. We celebrate both Hispanic Heritage and Black History months with guest readers, projects, and even presentations from parent volunteers in the Parent Center. I would like to do more for the Asian popluation as well since their numbers are growing here.
I would describe the Clarkston community as A+B+C=A1+B1+C1. I used to take Zumba classes at the Clarkston Community Center, and I was tickled by the fact that regardless of age, race, or cultural background, women everywhere just want to lose weight! But seriously, I loved meeting knew people and realizing that my way of life is not the only way of life. Many of the Clarkston residents have a strong sense of identity linked to their cultural backgrounds, but they are open to new ideas. For example, in the video, many residents want to become citizens and value the right to vote. But in some of their original countries, voting is not an option at all. Also, the grocery store owner hired a Vietnamese girl and realized that adopting some of her ideas and suggestions would help him. I do not believe that different people can live so close together and not rub off on each other in positive and negative ways. However, learning from someone who is different doesn't mean that the Clarkston residents change their core selves. My school community is the same as the Clarkston community. We all interact and learn from each other, but, ultimately, we are proud of our backgrounds and cultures and keep our core beings. I will say, however, that this is a recent development. When I first started working at South Gwinnett, it was closer to A+B+C=A+B+C. There was so much racial tension that there was no real interaction or change. Many of the students stayed in their little groups and didn't open themselves to knowing anyone outside of that group.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the Clarkston community is A+B+C=A1+B1+C1. The groups seem to stay true to who they are and where they came from, but have interaction with each other. They all come together at the council meetings and live in the community together. It was very interesting to hear all of their viewpoints, where they came from, and how they hope the community will be in the future. Many of them continue to follow their traditions including clothing, food, and language; however, they are also making an attempt to learn the "American way" and be respectful of the differences among them. I believe that my school is workig towards A+B+C=D. Because I work in an elementary school, the kids just want to play with kids. There isn't a separation of races or cultures. In fact, they are all very open to learning and experiencing different traditions. My school takes on the "melting pot" idea.....which I LOVE!!!
ReplyDeleteI think Clarkston County is A+B+C=A1+B1+C1 and will slowly but surely work it's way towards A+B+C=D eventually. The people of the county are doing a wonderful job of respecting each other and their differences. The statements from the White Americans and their understanding of the refugees is what will cause the county to work towards the new formula. The myths of them drinking out of toliets, making fires on the carpet in the middle of the rooms - people are going to start wanting them to not drop their beliefs, but pick up more American style ways of doing things to better fit in. I believe my school is A+B+C=A1+B1+C1. We have varies of ways to allow the students and teachers to continue to shine with their cultural differences while participating in the school's rules and expectations. We are similar to Clarkston as well in that whites are the minority. I personall have no White Americans in my class this year. I am very lucky in that all my kiddos do not see that and just see other kiddos to play and learn with.
ReplyDeleteI believe Clarkston is A+B+C = A+B+C. Refugees from 40 different countries coexist in a small area and interact primarily with others of their native country. Their focus is on dealing with "culture shock", "financial stability", and a limiting "language barrier." There is very little time for interacting with people of other nationalities. This is probably true of many first generation groups who are concentrating on "surviving" under so many changes. Adults especially have little opportunity to learn the English language to communicate with others. Most are working long hours in factories and have little time to associate with others. The children have the opportunity to learn a common language and are in the environment in schools that help them to bridge between the different nationalities.
ReplyDeleteMy school is a school for refugees. There are girls from 5 nations this year. These girls come together everyday and work closely with each other. There is a high level of interaction but each girl's nationality is celebrated so no one is expected to give up one's identity. However, over the year it is interesting to note that the girls begin to pick up some cultural characteristics of girls of different nationalities. They also adopt many "American" ways - dress, music, snacking on sweets, celebrating some holidays - like Halloween, and hairstyles. Therefore, I would classify the school community as A+B+C= A1 + B1+ C1
I believe the Clarkston Community A+B+C=A1+B1+C1 which represents the melting pot society. In the documentary it stated how various cultures have their own business; as a result the community is the consumer (supporting one another). I also thought it was amazing how the community took advantage the "right to vote" and their zeal to be involved in politics and educating people on their voting rights. In some countries overseas voting rights are taken away, so it is great see Clarkston's passion for exercising their vote. The Clarkston community has adopted a few ways of the American culture but had not fully converted by preserving their traditions. Which I think is awesome because they can pass it down to their children and share with people outside their culture. Which I enjoy speaking to others from other countries and learning about their culture.
ReplyDeleteI had a great opportunity to volunteer in the Clarkston Community. I had observed that the young children have preserved their love for outside play. The children played games from their countries. It amazing to see all the different cultural attire from around the world.
I agree with Monique in that the culture here is the A+B+C=A1+B1+C1 as it seems that there are so many diverse cultures living in Clarkston. The point of the population shift from white to black/multicultural seems to highlight the change throughout Georgia. The children have adapted to the American way of life, but still have a keen sense about their "homeland".
ReplyDeleteAt Magill, I feel that our formula follows A+B+C=D. While we have some immigrants from Nigeria and Ghana, most of our ELL's are from Mexico.