Multicultural Education in America
Tina Barsam
November 28, 2001
Paper 1
Eng 305/Cross
Multicultural Education in America America has long been called "The Melting Pot" because it is made up of a varied mix of races, cultures, and ethnicities. As more and more immigrants come to America searching for a better life, the population naturally becomes more diverse. This has, in turn, spun a great debate over multiculturalism. Some of the issues under fire are who is benefiting from the education, and how to present the material in a way so as to offend the least amount of people. There are many variations on these themes as will be discussed later in this paper. In John Spayde's article, "Learning in the Key of Life," he talks about how Education is important, but life experiences are important to learn from as well. He says that the rich have such an advantage when it comes to education because they have more opportunities for higher education than the poor do. Also, school teaches them more than just terminology and formulas; it teaches one humanities which could not be learned out in the streets. For example, learning about other cultures and their traditions could be learned from one's peers, but would be accurately more defined in a classroom. "There are as many ways to become an educated American as there are Americans." (Spayde 63). Education provides such insight and knowledge about our society and cultures. Crime would be much higher, racism would be much stronger and our economy would be so low if it wasn't for education. It's important for our country to be able to provide opportunities for everyone to get an education. In the 1930's several educators called for programs of cultural diversity that encouraged ethnic and minority students to study their respective heritages. This is not a simple feat for any culture. Most people, from educators to philosophers, agree that an important first step in successfully joining multiple cultures is to
November 28, 2001
Paper 1
Eng 305/Cross
Multicultural Education in America America has long been called "The Melting Pot" because it is made up of a varied mix of races, cultures, and ethnicities. As more and more immigrants come to America searching for a better life, the population naturally becomes more diverse. This has, in turn, spun a great debate over multiculturalism. Some of the issues under fire are who is benefiting from the education, and how to present the material in a way so as to offend the least amount of people. There are many variations on these themes as will be discussed later in this paper. In John Spayde's article, "Learning in the Key of Life," he talks about how Education is important, but life experiences are important to learn from as well. He says that the rich have such an advantage when it comes to education because they have more opportunities for higher education than the poor do. Also, school teaches them more than just terminology and formulas; it teaches one humanities which could not be learned out in the streets. For example, learning about other cultures and their traditions could be learned from one's peers, but would be accurately more defined in a classroom. "There are as many ways to become an educated American as there are Americans." (Spayde 63). Education provides such insight and knowledge about our society and cultures. Crime would be much higher, racism would be much stronger and our economy would be so low if it wasn't for education. It's important for our country to be able to provide opportunities for everyone to get an education. In the 1930's several educators called for programs of cultural diversity that encouraged ethnic and minority students to study their respective heritages. This is not a simple feat for any culture. Most people, from educators to philosophers, agree that an important first step in successfully joining multiple cultures is to
Cited: 1. Jon Spayde, "Learning in the Key of Life." The Presence of Others. (58-64). Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruskiewicz. 3rd ed. 2000. 2. New York State Social Studies Review and Development Committee Multicultural Education Benefits All Students." Education in America - Opposing Viewpoints." (144-150). CA: Greenhaven, 1992.