Talking Points #2: Richard Rodriguez "Aria"

REFLECTION-

     Being bilingual in our society today can and can not be an advantage. I feel that being bilingual in our society could open hte future for more job options. But, it could also affect the way you are treated in the society I feel. I am not bilingual, but I do wish I was able to speak another language. It could help me out now and in the long run. I just feel as if it opens up more oppurtunities and give a broader horizon to the society that we live in today. More or less that is not exactly what this article is saying. This article talks more about being bilingual in school. How back when the author was reflecting upon it was not a good thing. They considered there to be only one language and that was english considering you were in the United States. I feel as if more and more people that come to our country and send their children off to school now will find a way to have their children learn english just as well as they know their other language if they are bilingual. This way it allows the children to communicate in school and then allows for them if it is necessary communicate in their other language as well. That is why in school they are now offering to children that are not bilingual more of a chance to open up and learn a second language for their career or to help them in the long run.
      What this author is trying to show and say is that it was different. They did not want the kids to learn a second language back then. They actaully went to his home and told his parents to talk in english. This came to the point where the kids did realize that it was more important to conquer the english language and have use their language in secondary. I can relate to this not because I am bilingual, but because I know a lot of kids that are and need to be. Throughout soccer I have meet kids from all different nationalities. But, a large number of them were able to speak both english and their native language. There was still a large amount that could only speak enlgish a little and neither could their parents. I just thought to myslef, how are they supposed to learn and participate in school if they can baily speak enlgish. That is why it is so important to be bilingual in school now a days, as it will open up a better career, and be a lot more helpful as you go through yuor schooling either in or not in a democratic society. The main question that I feel is the biggest problem, is what if you are not that good in enlgish and what are the approaches that the teachers take towards it in our society today?

Talking Points #1 Mcintosh "White Privilege

        As I first started to read this article I thought to myself how could there still be so much white privilege in our society today? Reading more into this article I came to realize that there is still white privilege just like there is still male dominance in our society as well. The way that Mcintosh described the list of white privilege and how much she is right is unbeleivable. I am not even somewhat close to racist, and would have never thought that there is still so much white power like she described until you actually do sit down and read the list and make a list of your own. By being white you do have more of an option one where you choose to live and who your neighbors are as well as the race of your neighbors. Just the little things like this still does play a huge role in society and the way people live today.
       If I did not read this article, or the list in this article, I do not think I would beleive anyone if they came up and tried to tell me that white privilege still plays a major role in our society. Until it is actaully broken down like Mcintosh did with using male violence as a similiar preference I would not beleive it is still such a problem today. The only one that I did not agree with as much was when she pointed out that in newspapers or magazines there is always a white person on the front cover. I feel like now because of the famous people such as athletes, or actors this is not entirely true anymore. However, this was the only one that I did not agree upon. She made a valid point with the rest. She also used the male dominace role as a great similarity. My opinion on all of this after reading is that this is still a problem and I feel as if it is something that needs to be improved upon in our society.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY