Talking Points #2

Richard Rodriguez
"Aria"

1. "What they seem not to recognize is that, as a socially disadvantaged child, I considered Spanish to be a private language. What I needed to learn in school was that I had the right and the obligation--to speak the public language of los gringos."

- I chose this quote from Richard Rodriguez's "Aria," because he says that he had "the right and obligation" to learn and speak English. I do not know how many times I have heard racial slurs about Spanish speakers needing to learn English. I for one think it is important to expand your horizons and learn another language. So why can't white people learn Spanish. I do know that language barriers are often hard to over come, but I don't think that Spanish speakers are OBLIGATED to learn English however much it may or may not benefit them. America has been called over and over, a melting pot of cultures. This implies to me that all cultures are welcomed and added to the pot. People need to open their minds and maybe learn something that other cultures have to offer.

2. "Sentences needed to be spoken slowly when a child addressed his mother or father. (Often the parent wouldn't understand.) The child would need to repeat himself. (Still the parent misunderstood.) The young voice, frustrated, would end up saying, 'Never mind'--the subject was closed."

- This reminds me of myself as a child. However, my family speaks English at home. This resonates with me because, I cannot begin to count the times that I have gotten frustrated trying to explain something to someone before I finally gave up and said "never mind." I see my younger brother and pre-teen sister do it often too. Yet, in our situation, it usually isn't a miscommunication due to language, but instead it is failure to correctly articulate our thoughts. Even as a mature adult (mostly, ha ha), I still find myself getting that same frustration when people can't quite understand my point of view. This often does end with a "forget it." The harm in this is that sometimes things that need to be said are "lost in translation" and important things are not always completely expressed, kind of like a "silenced dialogue."

3. "So they do not realize that while one suffers a diminished sense of private individuality by becoming assimilated into public society, such assimilation makes possible the achievement of public individuality."

-To be honest, I am confused by this quote. When I first read it, I took it as assimilation makes it possible to achieve in a society where the public language, English, is dominant. But when I typed it into my blog to explain what I thought at first, I realized that when I read it i worded it wrong in my head. I just do not understand what Rodriguez is trying to say about "public individuality." Like what is "public individuality? I was just wondering if anyone else had some thoughts on that to help me better understand.

I found this document easy to read through, I just didn't really like the way it was written. It seemed like Rodriguez switched back and forth from talking from his point of view to the point of view of an outsider. It kind of confused me, but mainly, I just didn't like it as a reader because it wasn't smooth to read.
Parts of this document reminded me of Lisa Delpit and her "Silenced Dialogue." The part where Rodriguez was talking about children getting frustrated and giving up made me make this connection. I didn't make so much of a connection to Delpit's text as I did with the title of her piece. When the frustrated child does not get his or her point across, what is needed to be said is silenced.

Talking Points #1

Peggy McIntosh
"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"

First, I have to say, I found the Jonathan Kozol reading, "Amazing Grace," extremely interesting. I really liked the way he wrote, he made it more personal. I really felt for the people he interviewed in his document. However, I feel as though I have more to say about the Peggy McIntosh reading. I also liked McIntosh's style of writing. It was much easier to read than Delpit, and also, I think, more interesting. I chose three quotes from the reading "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack."

1. "As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage." (page 1)

- I completely agree with this statement. However, I find it weird that I have never realized this before either. Also, it seems strange that this is a true statement, even though it does make perfect sense. If you think about it, in any situation that there is a, lack of a better word, less dominant group, being taken advantage of due to something like racism, then there is also always a dominant group who does have the upper hand. It kind of reminds me of a parasitic relationship. Only one party benefits from the relationship, and in the case of racism, it is usually white people.

2. "...one's life is not what one makes it..." (page 4)

- I chose this quote because I felt it was a very interesting truth that is almost never addressed. All through life I feel like people tell you that your decisions will shape your future; it all depends on you. However, this is only partly true. Like Peggy McIntosh says above, "one's life is not what one makes it." No can control the race they are born into, or the gender, status, orientation, etc. These factors that are beyond our control shape the lives we live. Granted, our decisions can also lead us, but ultimately, these factors already have such a major influence on the paths we take and where we end up.

3. "I can choose blemish cover or bandages in "flesh" color that more or less matches my skin." (page 4)

- I just thought that this was a fascinating little realization. Obviously flesh comes in more colors than just closer to fair shades, but why then is "flesh colored" chosen as the standard. It seems inconsiderate in itself to use such a general term for an array of different skin tones. Also, this leads me to ask, do any band aids come in darker colors? I have never seen them, but I feel like they should exist because of this dilemma.

All About Me

Hey there!
My name is Jessica Fagundes. I am a sophomore at Rhode Island College. I am studying to become an elementary school teacher with a concentration in special education. I have not completely decided yet, but I may also minor in mathematics so that I can teach math on the middle school level.
So far this semester is going well. I am taking five classes two of which are practicals. I have a busy and work filled semester ahead of me, but I know I'm up for the challenge. School is extremely important to me and I always try my hardest.
When I'm not in classes I'm hanging out with my friends. I'm an active person, and I love to have fun!