Learning+Experience+2

Learning Experience 2 Theme: Understanding Barriers to Inclusive Classrooms

Introduction/Overview of LE: This learning experience will delve deeper into understanding the barriers as we acknowledge the role self plays in creating an inclusive classroom. We will focus on one of the most prevalent barriers related to ‘self’ which has the ability to a hinder our understanding of other groups, and that is discrimination. This learning experience will create opportunities for you to understand the pervasive forms of discrimination, it’s influence and operateion within different systems.

The focus for this LE is to: · Recognize any biases or stereotypes you may have absorbed as a result of your multiple identities · How bias, stereotypes and discrimination manifest themselves in your teaching practice · Understand that language patterns can exclude or demean groups. · Recognize that your students may come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds? · Understand and use the correct terminology to define diverse groups. · Become more informed about the history and culture of groups other than your own · Recognize the complexity of diversity · Reevaluate your pedagogical methods for teaching in a diverse setting. · Explore perspectives outside their own experiences.

By the end of this LE candidates will:

Insert OCT Expectations.

ACTIVATE [] ||
 * E-Tivity #1 Viewing NFB documentary //Screen Test//
 * Purpose: To understand and identify the systemic barriers of discrimination.

Overview: Systemic discrimination is defined as patterns of behaviour, policies or practices that are part of the structures of an organization, and which create or perpetuate disadvantage for racialized persons. Systemic discrimination infiltrates the internal cultures which can marginalize or alienate racialized persons. For example, an organization that values a particular communication style based on how people from the dominant culture tend to communicate may undervalue a different, but equally effective, communication style used by a racialized person. Similarly, social relationships and networks that are an important part of success may sometimes exclude racialized persons. The video you will be view is called "Screen test." Keep in mind the overall view of racial discrimination.

//E-Tivity 1// Watch the video (Screen Test) and respond to it thoughtfully. What are the overt messages and implicit messages? || Discuss the message of the film. · Is there any depiction of bias? · If so, what is the bias? || Post your discussion in the discussion board. Read the other postings in the discussion board. Are there any connections that you can make with your colleagues? Respond to one posting where you have a connection. || ACQUIRE To reflect on the vulnerability of self-exposure and make connections between our understanding of bias and how it affects our teaching practice and student learning. || n Examine definition by Novrogodsky (Karlo, do you want to insert definition?
 * Task:
 * Response:
 * E-Tivity #2 Understanding how Bias, Prejudice, Stereotype, Discrimination Xenophobia, and Systemic Discrimination affects student learning and teaching practice. ||
 * Purpose:
 * Task:

Read article by: Susan Eckert //Definition of Racism, Other Terms// //What is Racism, Prejudice, Discrimination, Bias, and Xenophobia?//

Is the definition of racism really different from these related terms or do these words all describe the same thing? With so many words being used interchangeably when it comes to discussions on racism, it’s no wonder we find ourselves exhausted from circular discussions that prohibit coming to any level of agreement or mutual understanding. And given that some terms—like racism—often evolve in meaning and may end up having multiple and significantly different definitions, it’s **anyone’s** guess if two people actually mean the same thing when they discuss racism and discrimination. Multiple terms with multiple definitions—it’s enough to make any intelligent person’s head spin.

Following is a synopsis of varying definitions of racism, prejudice, discrimination, racial discrimination, reverse discrimination, bias, and xenophobia. Knowing the terms, their varying definitions, and how // you yourself // choose to define them will enable you to ensure clarity when engaging in discussion on the issue of racism with others.

A Definition of Racism The American Heritage Dictionary defines racism as follows: While the first definition is broad and implies that // any // group can demonstrate racism against another, the second begins to narrow the focus, placing the definition within the context of history—pointing the finger, of course, at groups that have historically demonstrated beliefs in racial superiority (e.g. whites, certain Asian groups—e.g. Japanese). Taking this idea one step further still, David Wellman, in his book // Portraits of White Racism // (1993), narrows the definition of racism even further when he says racism is "culturally sanctioned beliefs, which, regardless of intentions involved, defend the advantages whites have because of the subordinated position of racial minorities.” Advocates of Wellman’s definition argue that while whites can be "racist," other groups are "incapable of racism due to power difference."
 * Discrimination or prejudice based on race
 * The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Racialism The definition of racialism introduces a slightly different nuance in that it refers to a belief in the existence and significance of racial categories, but not necessarily in a hierarchy between the races and accordingly, in any political or ideological position of racial supremacy. Racialists might argue that intelligence differs by race, but never take it further by suggesting that the more intelligent race is superior. Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Prejudice The key distinction of the definition of Prejiduce is in its reference to pre-judgment—e.g. deciding on a person’s qualities, characteristics and value on the basis of an arbitrary descriptor such as race, before knowing the facts. In general, prejudice refers to “any unreasonable attitude that is unusually resistant to rational influence.”

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Discrimination Discrimination simply refers to the recognition of differences among people and making choices based upon those qualities, be they perceived or real.

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Racial Discrimination According to // [|UN International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination] //, "the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life." For example, based on this definition of racial discrimination, racial profiling by police would be considered racial discrimination.

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Reverse Discrimination Reverse discrimination is meant to describe discriminatory policies or acts that benefit a socio-politically non-dominant group (e.g. women, blacks, etc.) at the expense of a socio-politically dominant group (e.g. men, whites). Most opponents of preferential or affirmative action policies, which are designed to counter past and present discrimination and support the upwards mobility of non-dominant groups use "reverse discrimination" in support of their arguments. Others argue, that "discrimination is discrimination" and the label "reverse" is, in truth, a misnomer.

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Bias A bias is a prejudice or preference for one particular point of view or ideological perspective. A person is said to be biased if his judgment is influenced by the biases he holds, and his views are neither neutral nor objective, but subjective. Again, in this definition, the concept of preconceived ideas is important. An example of just how detrimental biases can be might be a judge who fails to weigh the facts of a case more strongly because his biases cause him to focus on the race of a defendant instead.

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Xenophobia Xenophobia is a fear or contempt of those considered to be “foreigners” or “strangers”—anyone different from oneself. The target may be a group already present within a society, but not accepted as part of that society, or it can often refer to immigrants. Xenophobia is dangerous in that it has the potential to elicit hostile and violent reactions, such as mass expulsion of immigrants, or in the worst case, as we’ve seen in Nazi Germany and again in Darfur, in genocide.

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Stereotype

Stereotypes are as old as human culture itself. They reflect ideas that groups of people hold about others who are different from them.

A stereotype can be embedded in single word or phrase (such as, "jock" or "nerd"), an image, or a combination of words and images. The image evoked is easily recognized and understood by others who share the same views. Stereotypes can be either positive ("black men are good at basketball") or negative ("women are bad drivers"). But most stereotypes tend to make us feel superior in some way to the person or group being stereotyped. Stereotypes ignore the uniqueness of individuals by painting all members of a group with the same brush.

Stereotypes can appear in the media because of the biases of writers, directors, producers, reporters and editors. But stereotypes can also be useful to the media because they provide a quick identity for a person or group that is easily recognized by an audience. When deadlines loom, it's sometimes faster and easier to use a stereotype to characterize a person or situation, than it is to provide a more complex explanation.

Racism and Related Terms: A Definition of Systemic Discrimination

Systemic discrimination is a pattern of discrimination. Systemic discrimination is discrimination that results from the simple operation of established procedures that may have direct, or adverse effects; it may be intentional or not intentional.

Examples of systemic practices include: discriminatory barriers in recruitment and hiring; discriminatorily restricted access to management trainee programs and to high level jobs; exclusion of qualified women from traditionally male dominated fields of work; disability discrimination such as unlawful pre-employment inquiries; age discrimination in reductions in force and retirement benefits.

TASK Using the //Language of Integrity// model, think thoughtfully about the article and your reaction to the following connections:

I FEEL
 * How did you feel as you read the article and the examples given for each term?
 * Did anything surprise you?
 * What reflections did you make about your multiple identities and the “isms” within the context of the classroom and inclusive culture?

I PERCEIVE
 * What new understandings did you encounter after reading the article?
 * Have your perceptions about Bias, Prejudice, Stereotype, Discrimination Xenophobia, and Systemic Discrimination change?

I BELIEVE
 * State what you believe about the topics in the article. What formulates the basis of your belief or what you have experienced?

I DO
 * Think about any challenges your belief poses to your personal bias and teaching practice. How do you act upon them? Owning up to your actions can help you move into an honest in-depth and constructive conversation with self.

I NEED
 * What is it that you need in order to maintain or improve your actions or attitudes towards the topics in the article? Has your reality been altered?

Write a summary for each heading based on the “Language of Integrity.” Post one summary to the discussion board.

The “Language Of Integrity” I FEEL I PERCEIVE I BELIEVE I DO I NEED

n Roots to Equality (Karlo) || Read the responses on the discussion board //Language of Integrity// notice the similarities and differences in other’s experiences/views. Reflectively respond to two other posts. ||
 * Response: