Upon initial reading of the topic of this post, I had a hard time trying to remember a particular instance in which I had observed the dual existence. I wondered why this seemed more challenging than the posts before. I have come to the conclusion that it is not that I have not witnessed such a thing but that it is so commonplace that I did not view it as anything other than the norm. To me this says a great deal about how I personally view what is happening around me and how my life is being affected by immigrants. In essence, the only direct contact that I really have with any immigrants are those in my classroom and their parents. Outside of that, there is none unless we take into account those who are in service professions and with that the cycle continues. Reading chapter eight brought a glimpse of the reality that we live in in Middle Tennessee and most other places where immigrants reside.
Last week I was at a park with family and friends. In the other pavilion there was a group of Hispanics. They had cases and cases of water, Gatorade, and the like. I noticed that many men, old and young alike, began to show up in soccer clothes. For the first in the many years of my coming to this same park, I saw that there were soccer goals. The field was mostly dirt. They proceeded to play a very organized, real game of soccer, referees and all. We watched, even choosing teams to cheer for and had a great time because I really enjoy the game. My children have played soccer for many years and Murfreesboro has a great soccer complex. In all the years that they have played, there has never been one Hispanic player on their teams. I have seen some Hispanic players on teams but they are a very small minority. Why would they settle for this mediocre place to play the sport they love when they could be afforded the same amenities as others in the city? Because of the dual existence.
I think teachers can help dissolve the dual existence by not only informing students about the different activities, curricular and extracurricular, but by also encouraging them to participate. It goes beyond the classroom as well. We must reach out to the parents of our students and show them that we really care about them and their children. It is difficult to get the children into different things when they are getting no support from home.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Betrayal & Abandonment
In this blog that concerns betrayal and abandonment, I would first like to address the issue of the crab mentality. I have often heard of and unfortunately have even been the victim of this manner of thinking in the African-American community. I had no idea that this disease also infected others. Far from attempting to create yet another negative stereotype and in no way condoning the havoc that having a crab mentality can wreak on individuals and groups, it is good to know that it is not just a "black thing."
Now, on to the issue at hand. I think the case of Hector Seemann is the worst of the two. It is obviously very stressful for those who are attempting to and in most cases succeeding in making better lives for their families in the US, and in Mexico as well, to make the ultimate decision of returning to their Mexican homes or staying in the US and building upon their new found lives and homes. They have not abandoned their home land as they have continued to poor money into their villages for various projects. I think for the immigrants it is those who stayed in Mexico, for whatever reason, that somehow try to shame them into feeling as though they have abandoned their villages and Mexico. They have worked hard and should be able to enjoy the fruit of their labor without felling guilty about it, whether in Mexico or in the US.
It is far worse to stay in a place that you feel has totally abandoned you and where your dreams have died. This is Hector. He has nothing to hold on to but the bitterness of never having seen his dreams fulfilled. He is stuck where he is with no hopes of ever leaving.This is of course by choice, but when abandonment and bitterness are all you've had to hold on to for so many years, they are assuredly hard to let go of.
Now, on to the issue at hand. I think the case of Hector Seemann is the worst of the two. It is obviously very stressful for those who are attempting to and in most cases succeeding in making better lives for their families in the US, and in Mexico as well, to make the ultimate decision of returning to their Mexican homes or staying in the US and building upon their new found lives and homes. They have not abandoned their home land as they have continued to poor money into their villages for various projects. I think for the immigrants it is those who stayed in Mexico, for whatever reason, that somehow try to shame them into feeling as though they have abandoned their villages and Mexico. They have worked hard and should be able to enjoy the fruit of their labor without felling guilty about it, whether in Mexico or in the US.
It is far worse to stay in a place that you feel has totally abandoned you and where your dreams have died. This is Hector. He has nothing to hold on to but the bitterness of never having seen his dreams fulfilled. He is stuck where he is with no hopes of ever leaving.This is of course by choice, but when abandonment and bitterness are all you've had to hold on to for so many years, they are assuredly hard to let go of.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Velvet Art and Ridicule
Velvet Art
I must say that I have never seen a Velvet Jesus or Velvet Elvis, but the Dogs Playing Poker was one I often saw. Maybe my neighbors owned the Dogs Playing Poker because they were not at all religious and the music of Elvis was not their music of choice. I can remember the excitement of knowing that I was going to their house because I wanted to see that picture. It mesmerized me and I loved it. Remembering how this one painting made me feel, I can easily understand how the popularity of and the demand for this form of art grew as quickly as it did. With the explosive demand for velvet paintings, the artists not only found an income that would sustain them along with their families, but one that would let them enjoy a lifestyle that they could only dream of before. This may have been good for the artists had they known how to handle it. Given the areas that these paintings originated in, I can see how many of these artists could succumb to various temptations that left them dead or penniless. For many of the artists, velvet painting was more than just a way to make money. They took pride in the art of velvet painting. I think Chuy Moran was one of those artists. More than painting to make a living, I think Chuy went back to painting because he was an artist. It is my belief that if people would take a more vested interest in the areas in which they enter to contract and complete their business, many of the pitfalls which trap the locals who provide the labor could be avoided. Being taught and given the opportunity to do the right things concerning their families, their money, and their futures would be of great benefit not only to the local communities but to the global community.
Ridicule
I would hope to curtail this by creating a multicultural classroom. However, we do live in the real world and there will be times when students are made fun of, even with a tolerant classroom environment. It would greatly depend on the student as to the immediate response I would give. Some students need the re-assurance that it is perfectly acceptable to have and observe such a tradition while others would be encouraged with a simple smile from the teacher. I would, in order to further familiarize students with the tradition, plan a lesson in which that particular tradition could be explained and examined by the students.
I must say that I have never seen a Velvet Jesus or Velvet Elvis, but the Dogs Playing Poker was one I often saw. Maybe my neighbors owned the Dogs Playing Poker because they were not at all religious and the music of Elvis was not their music of choice. I can remember the excitement of knowing that I was going to their house because I wanted to see that picture. It mesmerized me and I loved it. Remembering how this one painting made me feel, I can easily understand how the popularity of and the demand for this form of art grew as quickly as it did. With the explosive demand for velvet paintings, the artists not only found an income that would sustain them along with their families, but one that would let them enjoy a lifestyle that they could only dream of before. This may have been good for the artists had they known how to handle it. Given the areas that these paintings originated in, I can see how many of these artists could succumb to various temptations that left them dead or penniless. For many of the artists, velvet painting was more than just a way to make money. They took pride in the art of velvet painting. I think Chuy Moran was one of those artists. More than painting to make a living, I think Chuy went back to painting because he was an artist. It is my belief that if people would take a more vested interest in the areas in which they enter to contract and complete their business, many of the pitfalls which trap the locals who provide the labor could be avoided. Being taught and given the opportunity to do the right things concerning their families, their money, and their futures would be of great benefit not only to the local communities but to the global community.
Ridicule
I would hope to curtail this by creating a multicultural classroom. However, we do live in the real world and there will be times when students are made fun of, even with a tolerant classroom environment. It would greatly depend on the student as to the immediate response I would give. Some students need the re-assurance that it is perfectly acceptable to have and observe such a tradition while others would be encouraged with a simple smile from the teacher. I would, in order to further familiarize students with the tradition, plan a lesson in which that particular tradition could be explained and examined by the students.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Entry #1 Immigration Issues
Currently, immigration in the United States is in limbo. The government has yet to find an effective way to curtail illegal immigration by way of the Mexican border, even with the help of independents such as the Minutemen. This issue is one of grave concern to most in the US with tensions concerning immigration continuing to increase amid the recent downturn in the US economy.Immigration is a valid issue that should be thoroughly addressed by officials.There have been and there continue to be numerous media outlets that somehow address the immigration issue, yet nothing has been done at the upper levels of government. The lack of attention to this issue signifies its importance, or the lack thereof.
I believe that in order for true immigration reform to take place in the United States, those who head the agencies that handle immigration and all that it entails must first become emphathetic to those who are entering, both legal and illegal. It is easy to look at these immigrants as unwelcomed nuisances when you have no real understanding of why they are coming here. It must be said that even with an improved and reformed immigration policy, there will still be those who somehow slip through the proverbial cracks. If we first begin to see these immigrants as people, then and only then will an immigration system be developed that will somehow be of benefit to both the immigrants and the United States. In addition, the US is globally known to aid and assist countries thousands of miles away. Perhaps if the US would consider aiding the underprivileged in Mexico, they would be less likely to cross the border by the cover of night.
I believe that in order for true immigration reform to take place in the United States, those who head the agencies that handle immigration and all that it entails must first become emphathetic to those who are entering, both legal and illegal. It is easy to look at these immigrants as unwelcomed nuisances when you have no real understanding of why they are coming here. It must be said that even with an improved and reformed immigration policy, there will still be those who somehow slip through the proverbial cracks. If we first begin to see these immigrants as people, then and only then will an immigration system be developed that will somehow be of benefit to both the immigrants and the United States. In addition, the US is globally known to aid and assist countries thousands of miles away. Perhaps if the US would consider aiding the underprivileged in Mexico, they would be less likely to cross the border by the cover of night.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Blogger? Me? Really?
Hello. I am Nakisha. I am an elementary ESL teacher. I am currently pursuing my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction concentrating in ESL. This is my first experience with blogging, so here it goes.
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