Multicultaralism in the Classroom

As America becomes more and more diverse, multiculturalism being taught in schools is becoming more of a hot topic.  There is a need for improvement integrating this concept into today’s classrooms.  Of all the articles I read for this assignment, I agree with Adam Waxler’s  article entitled Multiculturalism in School Curriculum the most.  He believes that multiculturalism should be incorporated into the curriculum, but the curriculum should not necessarily be changed.  He says that “The traditional curriculum can be taught in way that is truly a multicultural education, that addresses various perspectives and allows students to draw their own conclusions” (Waxler, n.d). 

While I was in school, there was not much emphasis on a multicultural education that I can remember.  My school was predominantly white, but there was a good amount of African Americans as well.  I can’t remember studying their history and culture really outside of Black History Month.  That was another point that Waxler made in his article.  He says that cultures should not be taught as separate entities, such as separate months, but they should be taught together throughout the course to truly be multicultural.  I have to say that I agree with him on this point. “Having separate months for different cultures is exactly the opposite of what a true multicultural education should be trying to achieve” (Waxler, n/d).  I honestly wish that I had a more multicultural experience while in school, and had learned more about other’s backgrounds and cultures outside my own.  I think that the school curriculum is moving in that direction and has definitely improved, but it could still be better.

A quote that really stood out to me in the article entitled Toward a Centrist Curriculum by E.D Hirch Jr.  He said, “Children will become adults who cooperate and sustain one another only if the school-based culture they gain makes them feel they truly belong to the larger society” (Hirsch, 1992).  The point of a multicultural education is not only for students to learn facts and details about other cultures, but also to be accepting and respect others’ differences as well. 

References:

Hirsch, Jr. E.D. (1992).  Toward a Centrist Curriculum: Two Kinds of Multiculturalism in Elementary School. Retrieved from https://elearn.mtsu.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=2975445&tId=19133313

Waxler, A. (n.d.). Multiculturalism in School Curriculum. Retrieved from https://elearn.mtsu.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=2975445&tId=19133312