Structural Adjustment Programs

Because Nigeria was suffering and not able to support the members living in their countries, the World Bank and IMF stepped in and tried to help pay off some of their debts with Structural Adjustment Programs or SAPs. Although this seemed like they were going to help aid the country, they ultimately just ended up hurting the country. The SAPs dictated how the money they gave the country would be used. The SAPs made a law that only a certain amount of the money they gave them could be put towards education. Because of this discrimination against the countries education, Nigeria spent 33% less money on each student. When the education rate declines, the economy then suffers in the long run. The SAPs caused the country to suffer greatly and although there was short-term success, in the long run the country ended up being worse off.

Ni Hao

When I was about seven, I asked my mom if I could go to Chinese school. She basically brushed it off and as a result the only Chinese words I know are "ni hao." My mother is a 1.5-generation-immigrant, which I actually did not really realize she was in fact an immigrant until our discussion in class a few weeks ago. She moved here from Taiwan when she was two. She speaks perfect English, and English is actually the only language she knows. I was curious about why my mom did not know Chinese despite Chinese being technically her first language, so I asked my grandparents about their immigration and learning English. They basically said that they did not consciously choose to not teach their children Chinese, but it just happened naturally because they worked with, went to Church with, and lived near mostly white people. My grandparents could read and write English before they came here, but my mother and my uncle did not know any English at all. My grandparents said that after my uncle started school, it took him one month to learn English. My uncle beginning school was also a bit of an impetus for them to speak English in the home. Within three or four months they spoke about half Chinese and half English. After about two years, they spoke mostly English, and within four years, they spoke all English.
This is a rare case with immigration, to assimilate so easily and quickly. Their age of arrival was pretty young, their time in the US now is long, and they are better educated than most. They said their first priority was "being able to communicate" so their switch to English just happened unconsciously. But I honestly kind of wish they had tried to preserve the language.

Any thoughts on language or assimilation?

Redefining Race

The following video gives an example of what race and ethnicity is becoming in the United States. The line between races is thinning and the United States is, and is becoming more, a melting pot of ethnicities. These students tell their backgrounds and races, which they say doesn't completely define them, because they are also Americans. Their heritage consists of two parts that they may wish to be seen all as one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA7La5JgOUk

What is it that actually defines us as Americans? What are the benefits to having a melting pot of races, ethnicity, and culture in the United States?

4-year-old Deported to Guatemala

I found this article on NYTimes.com and thought it brought up several interesting issues. I was quite surprised that this little girl's reentry back into the United States, where she is a legal citizen, became such a big problem.  I can't help but think that the resources that were used to handle the situation of this little girl could have been used elsewhere.  Is a 4-year-old really that much of a threat to national security?  And how did she get deported if she is a U.S. citizen?

There are also other issues at play here, besides the mistake of sending her to Guatemala unnecessarily.  If her parents are known to be illegal immigrants, why were they not deported to Guatemala?  How was the little girl identified as an "illegal?"  These questions point to the larger problems surrounding familial citizenship rights.  This little girl was separated from her parents for a relatively short amount of time, and the issue has, for now, been resolved.  But what happens to children whose parents are deported permanently?  Do they have the right to remain in the United States?  Do parents who are deported lose the right to care for their U.S. citizen children?  What are your thoughts?

Racism in Utah

http://www.fox13now.com/news/local/kstu-racism-investigation-at-alta-high-expected-to-wrapup-20110408,0,63893.story

So, I'm putting the above link up because it is the most recent article written on the problems that have been going on at Alta High School. The media has been aware of two racist incidents, one where a student wore an outfit similar to a KKK outfit, and then another incident involving text messages with pictures of burning crosses. However, there are apparently more problems going on in the school. The administration doesn't really seem to know exactly what to do. I think being a teacher is a lot harder than we think, especially in an area that is so politically, religiously, and culturally homogeneous.

I had an experience last night that got me thinking about the fine line that teachers have to walk. I'm a swim coach and last night I was asked to help out with two swimmers after practice because their mom couldn't be there to pick them up right away. My husband and I went to dinner with them and it was startling how many racist/homophobic comments came out of their mouths. These boys are good kids, but they kept making comments that made fun of Muslims, illegal immigrants, and gays. It was hard for me to know what to say because I am in a position of leadership and power, and yet, I still have to answer to their parents, who I am sure are teaching their children these things. I wonder how teachers in a school address issues like this, especially because parents will get so worked up over what is being taught to their kids. So, here's the question: How to we teach kids tolerance and respect and love, without getting in trouble from their parents?

"Career Strategies for Women"

I came across this article as I went to check my email and just about laughed out loud. “Career Strategies for Women”. Really? It is pretty pathetic that such a title was given to the article. Why could it have not simply been titled “Career Strategies”? Is there a necessity to divide such tips among men and women? I clicked on the article and continued to read the article in curiosity of why these strategies couldn’t possibly apply for men as well. Through reading the article it listed five “smart strategies for building long-term career success.” The five strategies were: #1 - Make Sure You Have the Right Credentials, #2 - Determine the Best Career for You, #3 - Be Positive and Proactive, #4 - Go the Extra Mile, #5 - Get Noticed for the Right Reasons. Personally, I feel that any man should take these same points into consideration. This article is an example of how sexism continues today in the workplace. Women are given special tips in this article as if men do not need them because they already have jobs. I think this article is a social example of the unfair opportunity for jobs in society based upon sex and am sharing this to bring awareness of such continued perspectives and practices of society shown seeping through in the media.