Becoming Something
Different: Learning from Esmé by: Fairbanks, Crooks, and Ariail
These authors argue that
students of different cultures or races have a hard time coming into the United
States school system. They create this argument by following a student, Esme,
through many years of her education. Esme changes through the years and
eventually becomes more comfortable with the education system but there are
still many cracks in the foundation. She does not feel comfortable with most of
the teachers. She feels they assume she already knows specific information when
explaining something, when she really does not know that information. Only a
hand full of teachers help her and she likes the type of help that is one on
one and not in front of the class. Ultimately, she asks her other friends in
class for help versus her teachers. Another aspect is she settles for being in
the normal classes because she knows they are “easy” and she can pass them. Her
counselors and teachers do not encourage her and push her to work hard. She
feels she is not smart enough or may not push herself enough to stay in those
classes so she drops out. When she was in a resource type class she really did
not need it at a certain point but stayed in it because she was comfortable and
felt successful. Next, she measures her intelligence by her ability to do
homework, participate, go to school early, and care versus her actual
intelligence. Lastly, she fits in the crowd with fellow peers only after years
of being very quiet and shy. Esme eventually opened up, but possibly not to her
full potential, because she only considers herself part of a small group of
friends and is unable to do many things like dating guys, going out without a
chaperon, and cutting her hair because of her Mexican culture. Ultimately, she
does not realize her self-value, abilities, and intelligence. Is this due to
the school environment she has grown up in?
Comments:
I would like to say I
feel a lot of kids do not fit in school, especially high school years because
everyone is figuring out themselves and come from different backgrounds. I feel
her Mexican culture probably added to her troubles, but if I moved to Mexico I
am sure I would have the same issues.
The video and pictures
below show the perspectives of other cultures and races of people going to
school in the United States.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQtzQn1Rvc8
do u feel that theyre point would be better if they were able to proof this with a majority of people instead of one person
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad that she always labels herself as "kind of smart" :(
ReplyDeleteWhen a child needs to turn to their peers for academics rather than their teacher, because that student doesn't feel they are understood, then there is a problem. I thought it was awful that she just never asked questions in class even though she needed clarification.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough to assimilate into American culture with the added pressures and expectation of your own culture. She was expected to help around the house and to marry soon.
ReplyDeleteBetsy I agree with you it frustrated me that the teachers didn't push her to do better in her AP classes. Good post
ReplyDeleteI liked your video. I also agree with your comment that everyone is trying to figure themselves out.
ReplyDelete