"Becoming Something Different" By: Fairbanks, Crooks, and Ariail

In response to Maria Zapasnik Blog

Like Maria I was able to connect the Rodriquez and Kozol readings to this article. “Throughout all these, Martinez saw herself as increasingly American while her father enforced certain rules that were among the traditional Mexican practices and beliefs.” (Maria)  I have seen so many people lose their culture in order to assimilate to the American culture including myself.  There is something we want or it is expected from society to fit in with the people you are around whether it is in school, communities, work, and even at home. I can understand why Martinez would relate her improving grades to her improvement in English proficiency. She is conditioned to this way of thinking, from American schools. If she is capable of socializing with peers and comprehend English she meets school standards.

Here is a quote I found fitting in regards, to Maria’s blog. The marginalizing effect of schooling on English language learners and bilingual students has been well documented by Valencia. These researchers argue that perceptions of Latina/o students as lacking English proficiency, adequate motivation, and parental support, combined with the school’s devaluing of cultural practices different from the mainstream, too often position Latina/o students as deficient.” In reading this paragraph the first thing that came to my mind was the article Indian Father’s plea. It is interesting that this research found lack of parental support part of this issue, perhaps the parents can’t communicate with the  school because, of the language barrier. The students that transfer from other countries to American schools are considered deficient. Why is that? Perhaps where they came from they were taught an entire different curriculum.  

Here is a link to the authors of this article  all about Fairbanks, Crooks and Ariail. Where they are employed and where they received their education.

http://hepg.org/her-home/issues/harvard-educational-review-volume-81-number-1/herarticle/learning-from-esme_807