tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148563114167420638.post3087412885648941896..comments2023-04-17T04:09:51.876-06:00Comments on Confessions of a Rookie: The Achievement Gap, Segregation, and One Heck of a RantThe Rookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856225364926460372noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148563114167420638.post-62778447838651346422007-10-01T10:45:00.000-06:002007-10-01T10:45:00.000-06:00It’s definitely not right, not fair, and something...It’s definitely not right, not fair, and something needs to happen...but what? We know we don't have a perfect system and it will be a cold day on the sun before we can all agree on something that works. It's overwhelming and like so many other things, it is easy to be discouraged and do nothing. It’s easy to feel powerless. It’s easy to blame someone else. <BR/><BR/>The truth of the matter is, the system is what it is and we must work within that system to make the changes we want, and prevent the changes we don’t want. The system can’t be taken on all at once. We have work within that “broken” system to make a difference. <BR/><BR/>All of us need to do something today. Do something tomorrow. If we forget Wednesday and Thursday, so what! Do something again on Friday. It is only a small gesture to you, but may have a huge impact on someone else. Reach out to those around you. Read to your kids. Take the few extra seconds and encourage someone, preferably a child or adolescent. Encourage another parent. Thank a teacher. Believe in others! We have all had challenges before and because of a personal cheerleader (whomever or whatever it was) we got through it. Be someone’s cheerleader. We all need it! <BR/><BR/>Race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, social status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age etc, they are all things that can divide or bring us together. No one should be discriminated against or stereotyped by labels. But it happens. We are all human beings and deserve to be treated as such. Pick a stereotype that you have and work on breaking it down, even a little bit, this week. It’s as simple as challenging thoughts that arise in your head. <BR/><BR/>Pay attention to policy and think about its consequences. VOTE! I don’t really care if you vote for what I agree or disagree but vote. Don’t just vote for a president or a governor. Vote for local issues and representation. Call them. E-mail them. They need it! They want it! Look into policy and bills for yourself; don’t rely on commercials and politicians to tell you. It only takes a few minutes to learn about issues. Let it be your “something” one day this week. Policy is the only route to change a system, and remember how that system is to blame? <BR/><BR/>Ok, look what you started! Time to chill, I sound way too intense and this has turned into a freaking long comment! Oopsy!Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971550148489233778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148563114167420638.post-77477471828512314582007-09-30T18:03:00.000-06:002007-09-30T18:03:00.000-06:00Oh..yeah...as for the racial, socio-economic, and ...Oh..yeah...as for the racial, socio-economic, and other factors...I have NO idea how to help it. I can tell you what my multicultural counseling training book says....it says that we need to realize that society is completely biased against anyone who is not white and that until society and institutions realize they are biased they will not be able to change things. It is going to take a paradigm shift for the entire society....when has that ever happened?Loving The Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828514240322045695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148563114167420638.post-73740895462029365012007-09-30T18:00:00.000-06:002007-09-30T18:00:00.000-06:00I hear and second your rant! I'm not sure what can...I hear and second your rant! I'm not sure what can be done...but I know something must. I have been thinking about this a lot lately...both for school, my children, and just because you blogged it. These are my thoughts....<BR/><BR/>1. I heard someone say the other day that it is insane to think that you can affect change doing things the same way you always have. I think the system is failing our kids on many levels. Testing the crap out of them, not individualizing education, over burdening teachers and staff, not providing options for families and teachers, etc.<BR/><BR/>2. Parents are failing their children. I say this as a parent that is SO stressed out that I have a hard time making time to go over letter sounds with my child. Parents and society in general is too damn busy and stressed. There is too much to do and too little time (priorities in check?). <BR/><BR/>3. Did I tell you my plan (in it's infancy stage!) for the future of schooling for children and adolescents? :) <BR/><BR/>4. It's depressing as hell and apathy or overwhelmedness gets the better of us! <BR/><BR/>Ok...those are my thoughts for now. What do you think? I have some ideas about how to change the problem...but I'm afraid to put them out there without researching them more! :)Loving The Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828514240322045695noreply@blogger.com