By: Binaya Subedi
Who is the author? To whom was the author speaking and why?
What do the author’s assumptions seem to be?
What sorts of evidence and methods are used?
What specific passages support your interpretation of the author’s argument?
Where are you agreeing, disagreeing?
Where does the author echo your own discourses and/or challenge them?
Where are you surprised? (adapted from Allison Ander’s CSE 545 syllabus)
How does this reading compare to how the issue was portrayed in the text?
Subedi argues that religious aspects of diversity are typically neglected from research and such topics should be incorporated into preservice teacher curriculums.
The author includes mostly evidence of Islamic religious diversity in schools. Due to the lack of research available, teachers feel uncomfortable addressing religious diversity.
*** I agree with the author's argument. As a future teacher, currently enrolled in preservice teaching courses, I feel like the topic of diversity is a common area of discussion. I feel well-informed about how to differentiate and be respectful of minority groups and deter prejudice and racial discrimination. However, I do feel like our preservice teacher training neglects religious aspects of diversity. I would feel more comfortable addressing religious diversity prior to my exposure to children in the classroom. I know the reason that religious aspects of diversity may be neglected may be a result of Knoxville, Tennessee's demographic and lack of religious diversity. However, since we are getting our national teacher licensure, I think it would be helpful to address this topic more thoroughly.
Good quote: "Pang (2005) points out that teachers can play a key role in helping all students learn about religious diversity and religious forms of identities so that students can become open-minded and respectful of differences." (pg. 227)
I was surprised to read that most the participants in the study were "silent about how religious forms of discriminations took place in society and in schools". (pg. 230)
Reflection on "Silence" paragraph:
Most participants in the study said they had experienced little interaction with people of different religious faiths. I find this to be a valid statement. I have been exposed to individuals of various religions but rarely does the topic of "religion" come up in conversation. Just like politics, religion is a touchy subject to bring up with someone who is only an acquaintance. I am open to learning and embracing different religions but I lack the means of communicating with such individuals. (pg. 231)
Reflection on "Stereotypes" paragraph:
I have to admit, like the participants in the study, I sometimes ignorantly express stereotypical beliefs towards various religions but it is only due to my lack of knowledge about them. I think that it would be helpful to not necessarily learn about the religion but about the everyday life of different ethnicities who practice various religions. (pg. 231)
Reflection on "A More Political Religion" paragraph:
Participants in the study noted that religion ought to be discussed more in schools. I couldn't agree more! As a religious and spiritual person, I am open to different religious beliefs but I think that some type of spirituality would be beneficial in a school environment. The excerpt on the bottom of page 231 is a powerful statement. A participant wrote about schools resisting any sort of religious context at schools. I can appreciate various religious views and no one is forced to say the pledge of allegiance or pray before lunch. However, removing all religions from schools I believe is a mistake. We should, instead of acting ashamed of religion as a whole and being afraid to offend others, embrace all religions and be proud to practice various religions in the school context. I am not saying that religion should be a highlight in the public school system, but those who want to reference or discuss or take part in a religious act during school hours should feel comfortable to do that. Religion can be a defining role in forming a child's identity and telling a child to suppress that is wrong.
The participants in the study were predominantly white, female, and Christian who showed little desire to teach in diverse or low-income communities which would support their beliefs about religious issues. Honestly, the participants seemed narrow-minded, ignorant, and sometimes discriminatory. I realize that this research study encouraged honest participation but I was surprised to read many of their responses. It became apparent that perhaps the circumstances of 9/11 may have affected the views of the participants because the interviews, discussions, and journal entries were collected 2003-2005.
I am also a white, female Christian but being a teacher means you embrace the cultural differences present in a classroom setting. I want to be as open-minded as possible to make all my students feel comfortable and their religious beliefs to be appreciated and accepted in my classroom community. A important issue I read on page 234 is the controversy parents may bring up about embracing non-mainstream perspectives.
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