The Silenced Dialogue By: Lisa Delpit
https://www.youngedprofessionals.org/yep-dc-recess-blog/closing-the-achievement-gap-by-granting-students-access-to-the-culture-of-power
In “The Silenced Dialogue,” Lisa Delpit
explains that schools operate within a “culture of power,” meaning they follow
the rules, language, and values of the dominant culture — mainly white,
middle-class norms. Students who are not raised within that culture must be
explicitly taught how it works in order to succeed academically and socially.
When looking at Precious Knowledge, directed by Ari Luis Palos, you can clearly
see this connection. In the Mexican American Studies (MAS) program, students
were taught their history, culture, and heritage from a perspective that is
often left out of traditional curriculum. This helped them think critically and
view education differently. The school system represents the culture of power,
and the MAS program challenged whose knowledge is considered “valid.” Because
it questioned dominant narratives and empowered students of color, those in
power felt threatened and ultimately shut the program down.
Here’s a question that we all probably
asked ourselves:
Who gets to decide what knowledge is
“valid” in schools, and how does that connect to the shutdown of the MAS
program in Precious Knowledge?
Hi Corey,
ReplyDeleteI like how you connected Delpit's concept of "the culture of power" to Precious Knowledge. In the documentary, we see how her critiques of liberal, progressive white educators play out in reality and negatively impact students of color. The MAS program went outside the cookie-cutter tradition of teaching and consequently was rejected by many of the white men in power involved in the decision making. That leads me to your question, Who gets to decide what knowledge is “valid” in schools? Unfortunately, people who are out of touch and in positions of power that they should not be in.
Hi Corey,
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the bog post. I really enjoyed the Ted Talk that you attached. The MAS program really motivated these students by using the skills they had to teach them about the world and culture. I was thinking about your question. I never really thought about how unfair it is that I get to learn about my culture because it’s what is mostly taught throughout school but others do not. How can they relate? I feel like there should be choice. Why is it only one way. Why can’t a school look at its population and make decisions based on what is in their best interest.