FNED 502: Social Issues

     I briefly studied Judith Butler in a seminar on literary criticism I took as an undergrad. When I clicked on the link to watch this video for class, I was surprised to see her name. She had been one of my favorite authors from the course (definitely the easiest to interpret). As soon as the video began, I understand her role in it. In the course I took in college, we read excerpts of Butler’s book Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity , where she explains gender as a performance and its relation to language and politics. Similarly, this video reminds us that language and politics are linked: language supports us outside of ourselves in order to help us construct our own identities.        But if we can use language to write ourselves into being, can’t society do the same for us? And doesn’t it? We are constantly being forced into boxes that mark our identities and shape our existence. Man, woman, Cristian, Muslim, black, white. ...

     “I Am Not Your Negro” was quite an appalling film to watch. Throughout its entirety, I was in awe of both the candor with which the speakers presented their ideas and the disgust at a racial hierarchy that upholds violence and human degradation as its core (albeit blind) tenants: “[White people] don’t want to believe still, less to act on the belief, that what is happening in Birmingham is happening all over the country.” One of the most successful aspects of the current Black Lives Matter protests is the overwhelming presence they’re having across the country. Police brutality doesn’t just occur in Minneapolis, but in all fifty states. Awful video footage of police pushing protesters to the ground (around minute twenty-six) isn’t just a thing of the past, but it continues to happen today. This inundation of voices and evidence and frustration is perhaps the impetus our country (white people, mainly) need in order to enact change. Already, we’re seeing positive resul...

     In Deculturalization , Spring argues that racism is a consequence of cultural intolerance. This idea makes sense to me, and we see it play out in our modern society still to this day. When we look back on British and United States history, it is clear that we (as a privileged, American people) have always feared and fought against difference and migration of any kind. The term “white” was never enough – racism needed to account for religion, heritage, and place of birth. Given recent (and the most current) events, it is still just as clear that racism pervades and continues to run deep. In a country in which so many people (namely, Native Americans) were run off their land and murdered for being different, it’s a shame that modern racism is the same problem with a different façade .      Spring’s essay made me think a lot about cultural responsiveness and competence. If we aren’t being considerate of our students’ cultures and languages, are we doing m...

Unnatural Causes : In Sickness and in Wealth     In this Unnatural Causes episode, researchers explain the correlation between social and income inequalities and good health. The video explains the social determinants of health and how they relate to our overall well-being, with specific regards to chronic health problems and life expectancy. The video teaches that more than eating well and exercising, social conditions factor into our overall well-being as a result of the stress socioeconomic status brings or alleviates. In explaining this problematic correlation, one researcher says, “There are ways in which our society’s organized that are bad for our health.” He goes on to explain that death rates and illness are positively correlated to socioeconomic status. It makes sense to me that people in poor communities wouldn’t have easy access to healthy foods, that they would struggle financially, and that underfunded schools mean a worse education which means less socioeco...

     My name is Elyse, and I'm an English teacher at DelSesto Middle School. This year I teach ELA and ELD to all three grade levels, which can be exhausting, but has ultimately been an impetus for professional growth. At DelSesto, I learn at least ten new things a day. Even now as I attempt distance learning, I find that there are so many newly-manifested ways in which I can become a better educator.       I'm from New Jersey, and I moved here less than a year ago to teach in the district. There is a very special place in my heart for little Provy, and I'm excited to be here another year. Even if the bagels aren't as good.      Between college and this glamorous job, I lived in Spain. I was there for about two and a half years in total, and I am officially hooked. It's a true testament to my passion for education and my love for our DelSesto community that I left my beloved Spain at all. Maybe I'll go back someday, but for now, I know I...