Reflecting on Other People's Children

As I read Other People's Children by Lisa Delpit, I felt a sterner tone than what has been expressed in the previous readings. Delpit wasn't sugarcoating how White people have communication blocks, but I don't think she was honing in entirely on white privilege. I felt as though Delpit was saying the Whites naiveness, or blindness, is rooted in the educational system. The White educators she references in the first few excerpts are products of the same upbringing they are teaching. It's a broken record. Delpit even states, "it is not they, the children, who must change, but the schools". I almost wonder if I am interpreting this reading wrong; did anyone else feel Delpit's writing style was drastically different or that this article was focused on our educational system and not the educators?

As I continued on, I immediately connected the theory that "many of the 'progressive' educational strategies imposed by liberals upon black and poor children could only be based on a desire to ensure that the liberals' children get sole access to the dwindling pool of American jobs" to the conspiracy of the Rockefeller effect. The idea is that John Rockefeller funded the general education system with the goal of providing just enough education to keep people in the working class but never reaching the top. He is quoted to have said "I want a nation of workers, not freethinkers". While his board closed in the 1960's, it's clear that the foundation of it has lived on. A broken record. 

I particularly enjoyed reading how Delpit showed the contrast between oral styles of teaching. It made me think about the growth mindset I learned about in CEP 552. A growth mindset involves the idea of being able to improve one’s capabilities through hard work and dedication, paralleled with support from others. Alternatively, a fixed mindset is when one believes they only have a certain level of capabilities and are not able to change them. As I learned about this concept, it was very clear that people had more success and confidence when they felt supported. For example, Abi fostered a growth mindset when she implemented the art bin at the Starbucks she was working in. The way you talk to people really does matter.

The author, Delpit, argues that the current state of our educational system is failing to meet the diverse needs of the students and faculty leaving people feeling invisible or misunderstood. 

Reflecting on Colorblindness is the New Racism

Colorblindness is the New Racism by Margalynne J. Armstrong and Stephanie M. Wildman discusses the importance of shifting our terminology from colorblindness to color insight. The term colorblind arose from Plessy v. Ferguson which proposed colorblindness as a constitutional principle that prohibited segregation on public transportation. The court rejected the term, but it recirculated again during the "U.S Supreme Courts decision involving challenges to affirmative action programs under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment". I was taken back as I continued reading the rest of this paragraph; learning that White plantiffs were suing to end programs that promoted inclusion of people of color in education and employment opportunities. It was horrifying that the weight of the word colorblind only became heavy when the context involved White people having a disadvantage. 

This alarming fact, I feel, contrasted well with Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G. Johnson when he referenced Rodney King and made his own statement that "you'd think we could treat each other with decency and respect and appreciate if not support the best we have in us". Instead decades later, our society still can't figure out how to get along. It's disheartening and embarrassing! I don't understand how the lack of empathy and fairness is so detached from society. Which leads to the theory that color insight is the antidote to colorblindness. The authors explain that color insight "admits that most of us do see race and underlines the need to understand what that racial awareness might mean". This new term "better serves the purported goals of colorblindness: racial equality and justice".

Ironically, in my previous blog I wondered if society would have a different perspective of white privilege if we changed the terminology to white immunity. No, this doesn't mean we are avoiding the topic like an "elephant in the room" illustrated by Johnson; or that changing the words will be a "magic wand solution". Rather, "it offers a vocabulary and some significant points of entry for deeper conversations". But sadly, despite this chapter being published in 2013, I don't believe anything has improved. A google search of "color insight" promotes finding your wardrobes color palette and haircare products. I don't see anything referencing equality. Check it out here. Additionally, a search comparing color insight with color blindness only produces results related to eyes: here. Attorney General Eric Holder said it best: "the U.S is a nation of cowards in the face of discussing race with one another". 

I did enjoy the techniques this chapter shared to bring the topic of race into the classrooms. I completed the Power Line Chart and found I fit into four categories above and below. The Racial Observation Exercise made me think about my two most recent air line travels. The first trip, I was traveling to Pittsburg with my daughter, Cora. When we got to security I told officer that Cora couldn't go through the metal detectors because of she has cochlear implants. They never asked me for her birth certificate or checked her boarding pass. We were escorted through and it struck me as odd because my daughter's dad wasn't with me and they don't know if we were in a custody battle or something. I didn't think much into it after that, until we were returning home. I told the security officer the same thing but this time they checked her boarding pass. Unfortunately, the boarding pass stated Cora Collins. My daughter has her father's last name not mine. I had to go back to the front and have her pass updated. The officer still didn't care to see the birth certificate and neither did the front desk! On our second trip to  Florida, neither security officer requested to see Cora's boarding pass or birth certificate; each time I had it in my hand ready to go. It never occurred to me that I was experiencing privilege. Now, I can't help but wonder how my interactions would have been if I was a woman of color or if I identified as a lesbian. Feel free to share an "ah-ha" moment that you recently had in the comments!!

Reflecting on Privilege, Power and Difference

When reading Privilege, Power and Difference by Allan G. Johnson, I found myself being brought back to a lecture I had in an undergrad women's studies course. I was challenged with the idea that privilege is a contronym, a word that has two different meanings. Growing up, we are taught that privilege is a good thing that is earned or rewarded. For example, it's a privilege to get your license when you turn 16 or it's a privilege to stay up past your bedtime. The privilege that is described here is not something that you have to work towards. It essentially comes from where you fall on the Diversity Wheel. "The wheel doesn't say much about the unique individual you know yourself to be, your personal history, the content of your character, what you dream and feel. It does, however, say a lot about the social reality that shapes everyone's life in powerful ways".

In the lecture, we were asked to replace the word privilege with immunity when referring to "white privilege", "gender privilege", etc. Johnson repeats that people of privileged classes tend to be defensive, or "feel put off by my use of words like racism, white, and, even worse, white racism". I wonder if we change our dialogue a little, would we be more open to these types of discussions?

I was also reminded of an article I read previously called White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Have you read it? Check it out here. I thought it was really enlightening how Johnson paralleled the bullets about gender with race and sexuality. It brings to light how some people fall into an incredibly protected class while others are more vulnerable. I particularly appreciated the attention to how "a person is considered a member of the lowest status group from which they have any heritage". I see this happening a lot and I always wonder how it can be changed. For example, just the other day I saw a post on my Community FaceBook page and it quickly mentioned "my deaf neighbor", but the post had nothing to do with sound or ability. How can we unmark people?....because it never matters.

The end of the reading explains that "privilege tends to open doors of opportunity, oppression tends to slam them shut". Do you ever think about how your privilege oppresses other people?

The author Johnson argues that society needs to think critically, openly and empathetically about inequality without being hindered by guilt or defensiveness in order to make positive change.

Who is Sam?

Hey, ya'll 👋

So excited to get to know everyone this summer! Allow me to introduce myself 😎. I'm Samantha but everyone calls me Sam. I'm 32 years old and have lived in Warwick, RI my entire life. I currently live with my boyfriend, Patrick and our 17 month old daughter, Cora. We also have two rescue pets; a tuxedo cat named Bean 😼 and a boxer/pitbull mix named Luna 🐕. I purchased my house when I was 25 years old before I met Patrick. My dad and I spent a year and.a half renovating it prior to me actually moving in. The house is structurally sound but was very outdated. DIY'ing is a hobby of mine, so it was really awesome making my house my own with the help of my dad!

Patrick and I met at a Halloween party in 2019. Halloween is my favorite holiday 👻 and Fall is my favorite season 🍂! We even hosted our baby shower in a halloween theme: A Baby is Brewing. Our registry was gender neutral because we waited until birth to find out the gender. Cora was born on December 13th and ironically I called months before that: she was a girl, would be born on 12/13 and would weigh 7lb 4oz. I was spot on with everything except she weighed 7lb 0.4oz; pretty close though!!

One of Three 2024 Halloween Costumes ft. My Little Family

Cora and I were born with Waardenburgs Syndrome which we inherited from my paternal grandfather, Papa. There are 4 types of Waardenburgs Syndrome and we carry type 1, the least severe. Type 1 has physical and auditory characteristics that vary among each person. We have the signature white forelock and deep, blue inset eyes along with some mild skin pigmentation. I am profoundly deaf in my left ear with mild hearing loss in my right ear. Cora has bilateral profound deafness and received bilateral cochlear implants at 9 months old 🦻. Papa also is profoundly deaf bilaterally and my mom has no hearing loss.

Four Generations Carrying WS T1

I completed undergrad at URI and earned my Bachelors in Nursing with a minor in Non-Violence and Peace Studies. I started my nursing career at Rhode Island Hospital where I was employed for 6 years. I chose to leave after the snowball effects from Covid. I was burned out, unappreciated and needed to find a new position that would reignite my passion for nursing. I started working as an agency RN where I would pick up shifts across RI at various nursing homes, mental health facilities and public schools. I absolutely loved it! I felt like I was making a difference among a vast population and enjoyed collaborating with many different professionals. My assignments were never the same and that gave me autonomy and confidence. Plus, if I didn't like a facility, I didn't have to return! I simply picked up when I wanted and never had to ask for PTO. This job offered the best work/life balance I could ever ask for!

When I found out I was pregnant, I was determined to save up for a years worth of bills because I did not have maternity leave benefits. I also knew I wouldn't want to go back to work after 6 weeks of giving birth. This position gave me the financial freedom I needed and I am incredibly thankful! I did not know my daughter was going to have Waardenburgs Syndrome, or what her hearing loss would be, if any. It worked out incredibly well that I was able to stay home to not only bond with my daughter but to also focus on her speech and language development. Patrick and I decided after Cora's first birthday that I would stay home for a little longer to continue Cora's success story. At 17 months old, Cora says 15+ words and knows over 100 signs in American Sign Language. She is ahead of her peers in all areas of development including speech and she hears better than I do with her CI's on! 👏

Cora at RWP Zoo last week wearing her CI's and retention cap while signing "bird"

Being a mother is my absolute favorite version of myself. As I get ready to head back into the workforce, I decided it was time for another career change. I am now in graduate school to earn the qualifications for my School Nurse Certification. I loved working with children when I would substitute for school nurses. More so, the hours are ideal for a family; making this transition is a no-brainer. While I am not fond of returning to school after almost a decade hiatus, I am excited for the intellectual stimulation! And, I am proud to be a role model to my daughter by showing her that age and time means nothing when you set a goal for yourself. 💗