Personal Statement: Why I Believe In Multicultural Education

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In terms of schools, multiculturalism is defined as a process of intervention to recognize diverse learners (Jones). I had been taught from high school that multiculturalism is a melting pot of different races. Where the identity of your ethnicity and traditions are lost, but you gain the American dream. I have now come to find this concept is sadly true, but can be changed. Tatum discusses the importance of identity that we strive to create as adolescents. We find identity by communicating with people who face similar struggles and ask our parents what history means to us. I didn’t have any people of color in my high school, but students who identified as LGBT were tormented. My best friend in middle school was gay and was often bullied. He moved to find a more accepting place to live. He found a community who understood what he was going through. I can understand why all the black kids sat together in the cafeteria. …show more content…
I want to be an advocate for those who need it most and use multiple perspectives. I want to use the multicultural flashpoints for change to promote awareness and help other students acknowledge the diversity (Jones). I like that Tatum and Rothstein included the hardships that no one wants to admit. When I attended an anti-racism workshop I felt white guilt. I cried after the first day and thought about how I should be doing more to help. Tatum discussed a similar experience about her white friend. We need to talk about the uncomfortable topics to gain resolution to accept the facts. These concepts of privilege can create more social justice to those who do not have social privilege. Whites can also consciously fight for those who need social justice by speaking