Multculturalism in Education

Multiculturalism can mean different things to different people. Is one interpretation “more correct” than another? Hirsch (1992) claims there is one correct conception of multiculturalism from an ethical and political point of view. He claims cosmopolitanism, “being a citizen of the world,” with a centrist core curriculum is the correct and most beneficial way to provide multiculturalism in education. I find the cosmopolitanism perspective to hold some compelling points. It calls for a more universalistic approach and claims a person is not defined by their ethnicity, but rather a person is defined by other influences. Within the realm of education the centrist core curriculum calls for a common curriculum across the board. We should not look at things from an individual perspective, town, culture, race, but instead everyone should be provided with the same information. Hirsch claims by educating students of the same information we are providing a fair playing ground and are demonstrating respect for all groups.

New Immigration Stirs the Melting Pot reports on a type of new civil rights movement for immigration. I think it representative of the battle between multiculturalism in our country. One group, the immigrants and immigrant supporters are fighting for the rights of immigrants to enter the country and be provided with certain privileges. The other group, represented by the House of Representative is fighting against these rights. Of course the debate goes much deeper but it gives the feel that one side is fighting to further diversify our nation, while the other is trying to halt further diversification.

I felt myself identifying most with the Multiculturalism in School Curriculum piece. Waxler states, “All cultures should be taught throughout all units in order to be a truly multicultural education (para. 3).” He further claims by separating cultures into separate months we are further promoting the separation of cultures. I do not think that our country is going to rid of Black History Month nor will school systems will stop celebrating certain cultures at individual times. Until a more comprehensive approach is established I think we need to be happy that schools are acknowledging and teaching about various groups.

Often I feel it is up to the individual teacher to promote the exploration of culturesWhen studying history Waxler has his students study the different groups involved or impacted at the time. I once heard that history is a story about an event. It makes sense, when looking for an accurate account of history to look at the stories of all the players.

I think that my school probably followed a traditional curriculum. However, growing up in a military town in the northeast I think the curriculum and policies were likely more open than in other parts of the country. I do not feel like there was a social control agenda to my K-12 education. Of course there is the type of conformity or social control that is needed in school and through out life, such as rules, policies, and schedules. I feel as a student I was encouraged to think freely, personal expressions were often welcomed, and creativity was encouraged. Sadly there were points as an undergraduate student where I felt the professor was trying to promote a certain side or view.


References:

Hirsch, E.D., Jr. (1992). Toward a centrist curriculum: Two kinds of multiculturalism in elementary school. Core Knowledge Foundation.

Sobe, N. W. (2009). Rethinking ‘Cosmopolitanism’ as an analytic for the comparative study of globalization and education. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 12 (1). Retrieved from http://www.tc.edu/cice/Issues/12.01/12_01_Sobe.html

Waxler, A. (n.d.) Multiculturalism in School Curriculum. ESL Teachers Board.