The last post I put up was more of what I am thinking about these days... so I thought I'd give a quick summary of what I'm doing day to day.
We just finished up Unit 3 a few days ago. It was a whirlwind, with the students and 2 p'facs (not me) headed to Bangkok for an International Human Rights Conference. It seems they really enjoyed it, although it was still at its core an academic conference.
After they returned, there were many things to do before they left on a 4 day break (this is the longest break all semester--there will be one more post- unit 4.) It went by so fast and then... we had 2 days off! It was wonderful and I had the opportunity to do some serious soul searching. This included forcing myself to let go of the past, regardless of how painful, sitting on the porch and having an experience of God and the sublime so lovely it made me cry, and an afternoon eating brownies at Kiwi Cafe.
All in all, a very mentally restorative and productive time. In a few days, the students will return and we'll be into Unit 4. Sam and I will be the p'facs on unit. This means we will work with the student group and travel to Rasi Salai, Pak Mun, and Hua Na dams and stay for around a week. If you'd like to read more about the communities we'll be visiting, please check out the student produced Human Rights reports: http://engagetheworld.wik.is/Issue_Resources/Human_Rights/ESC_Rights/Campaigns/ESCR_Mobilization_Project
I will be flying back into Charlotte on Dec 23-- looking forward to seeing everyone soon!!! :) Much love!
From here to there.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The "Right" Education
As I was skimming the news today, I came across this article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/19/arizona.ethnic.studies.lawsuit/index.html?hpt=T2
It also reminded me of another debate going on with the Texas Board of Education, who is inserting their conservative political beliefs into the history and social studies curriculum. http://www.truth-out.org/in-texas-social-studies-textbooks-get-a-conservative-makeover59750
I am continually struck by the the impact of a person's education on their future. I don't just mean whether they drop out or not, but how the school system teaches people how to think. Or doesn't.
One example that has become quite obvious to me lately is here in Thailand. The education system is primarily based on rote memorization with very little critical analysis. In fact, my generation here in Thailand demonstrates, on average, a nearly total lack of analysis. There is a blank acceptance of authority and a total disregard for the current situation here. Many of the Uni students I speak with have only the versions of history they were taught, which (in my opinion, of course) are quite biased.
This systematic overhaul of the education system has created a generation that is adverse to conflict and doesn't read or discuss politics. Here is a much longer analysis than I can provide: http://papayainthailand.blogspot.com/2008/07/dismal-state-of-thai-education-one.html [Although I do have some problems with it, I think it largely captures what I have observed and heard so far.]
Seeing the long term affects of a poor education influenced by politics makes me very nervous about stories such as AZ or TX.
Simple wording can change history, and can change the way we interpret and understand ourselves as a nation and people. After all, the reason there is a class required of all history majors at Wofford called "historiography" is so that the students might have an understanding of how historians have grown in their analysis.
I was taught how to think, how to solve problems. I was also taught to question my superiors.
With the recent moves by Arizona to suppress what is a historically verifiable account of Southwestern history, it sounds more like politics than education. Because, let's face it everyone:
If you're white in America, IT IS BECAUSE YOUR ANCESTORS WERE IMMIGRANTS. And there was probably a time they weren't so popular. And let's not forget those people called the Native Americans who were here before us. We invaded their country with trails of tears and blankets covered in smallpox.
And that part of the USA did once belong to Mexico. And yes, our founding fathers were probably more Deist than Christian.
I absolutely do not believe that America was founded to be a Christian country, and any movement towards teaching our children that plays into xenophobic attacks against diversity of thought in America. This does not mean that Christianity hasn't had a huge part in the history of the US.
Why do we have to leave out parts of our history in order to keep our youth from "promot[ing] the overthrow of the United States government ... promote resentment toward a race or class of people ... (or) advocate ethnic solidarity instead of treatment of pupils as individuals."?
If we have to lie to students so that they won't be angry at white religious conservatives, then perhaps we should turn that critical eye back on ourselves. Let's ask a different question:
Why would education about American history potentially make students hate white people? Maybe it's because white people haven't always been that nice to others.
So, instead of sweeping that under the rug [Arizona and Texas], why don't we try something really crazy? Teach everyone how to think, teach them to love learning. Teach them things that challenge them, that make them uncomfortable. Hiding things only makes them more appealing anyway.
Be honest about the past, and then open it up for discussion. After all, anyone who claims to know the "truth" is probably overconfident anyway. Education is one of the most important things in your life-- fight for it to be the best, outside of politics or dogma!!!!
Secrets and politics have never been known to unite people-- so why would they in this case?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Some pictures to placate those who don't like the writing. :) Haha, old and new. Things in Thailand are going quite well, more info to come. We're on a break right now and then we'll head into Unit 4-- water! Dams, dredging, all that.
It also reminded me of another debate going on with the Texas Board of Education, who is inserting their conservative political beliefs into the history and social studies curriculum. http://www.truth-out.org/in-texas-social-studies-textbooks-get-a-conservative-makeover59750
I am continually struck by the the impact of a person's education on their future. I don't just mean whether they drop out or not, but how the school system teaches people how to think. Or doesn't.
One example that has become quite obvious to me lately is here in Thailand. The education system is primarily based on rote memorization with very little critical analysis. In fact, my generation here in Thailand demonstrates, on average, a nearly total lack of analysis. There is a blank acceptance of authority and a total disregard for the current situation here. Many of the Uni students I speak with have only the versions of history they were taught, which (in my opinion, of course) are quite biased.
This systematic overhaul of the education system has created a generation that is adverse to conflict and doesn't read or discuss politics. Here is a much longer analysis than I can provide: http://papayainthailand.blogspot.com/2008/07/dismal-state-of-thai-education-one.html [Although I do have some problems with it, I think it largely captures what I have observed and heard so far.]
Seeing the long term affects of a poor education influenced by politics makes me very nervous about stories such as AZ or TX.
Simple wording can change history, and can change the way we interpret and understand ourselves as a nation and people. After all, the reason there is a class required of all history majors at Wofford called "historiography" is so that the students might have an understanding of how historians have grown in their analysis.
I was taught how to think, how to solve problems. I was also taught to question my superiors.
With the recent moves by Arizona to suppress what is a historically verifiable account of Southwestern history, it sounds more like politics than education. Because, let's face it everyone:
If you're white in America, IT IS BECAUSE YOUR ANCESTORS WERE IMMIGRANTS. And there was probably a time they weren't so popular. And let's not forget those people called the Native Americans who were here before us. We invaded their country with trails of tears and blankets covered in smallpox.
And that part of the USA did once belong to Mexico. And yes, our founding fathers were probably more Deist than Christian.
I absolutely do not believe that America was founded to be a Christian country, and any movement towards teaching our children that plays into xenophobic attacks against diversity of thought in America. This does not mean that Christianity hasn't had a huge part in the history of the US.
Why do we have to leave out parts of our history in order to keep our youth from "promot[ing] the overthrow of the United States government ... promote resentment toward a race or class of people ... (or) advocate ethnic solidarity instead of treatment of pupils as individuals."?
If we have to lie to students so that they won't be angry at white religious conservatives, then perhaps we should turn that critical eye back on ourselves. Let's ask a different question:
Why would education about American history potentially make students hate white people? Maybe it's because white people haven't always been that nice to others.
So, instead of sweeping that under the rug [Arizona and Texas], why don't we try something really crazy? Teach everyone how to think, teach them to love learning. Teach them things that challenge them, that make them uncomfortable. Hiding things only makes them more appealing anyway.
Be honest about the past, and then open it up for discussion. After all, anyone who claims to know the "truth" is probably overconfident anyway. Education is one of the most important things in your life-- fight for it to be the best, outside of politics or dogma!!!!
Secrets and politics have never been known to unite people-- so why would they in this case?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Some pictures to placate those who don't like the writing. :) Haha, old and new. Things in Thailand are going quite well, more info to come. We're on a break right now and then we'll head into Unit 4-- water! Dams, dredging, all that.
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