Blog Post 2

This week for my FNED 246 class I had to read an article called “Other Peoples Children” and it was written by Lisa Delpit. It was a very interesting and complex reading. The author explains how there is a power difference between teachers who are white and teachers who are black. She goes on to explain how she believes this is such a big issue and she even names it “the culture of power” (page 24). There are five key points that go along with this. First is that there is a power issue in classrooms, also that there are rules for participating in power. Also, that the culture being taught is that of the person in power. Another is that when you are told the rules of the culture of power you get power easier. Finally, the last one is that those with power are mostly unaware of it. One of the solutions that Delpit says is “I suggest that schools must provide there children the content that other families from a different cultural orientation provide at home” (page 30). This way no students feel left out because of things they can not control. After that the author goes on to say how teachers who are white do not have to be as assertive as teachers who are black. She then connects that to how students who are black are more used to authority figures being authoritative. “Black children expect an authority figure to act with authority. When the teacher instead acts as a chum, the message sent is that this adult has no authority, and the children react accordingly.” (Page 35). One solution the author gives is for teachers who are white to be authoritative, so they get better control over the classroom. Finally, the last topic the author talks about is how people normally talk versus how formal English is taught. She says how it is important for students to embrace how they talk, but to know how to use formal English. She concludes by saying how teachers should support students and their own experiences.