Review of the Book Other Peoples Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom

The book Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom by Delpit offers a greater exposition of the issues that concerns cultural conflicts among the children, particularly in the educational context. Fundamentally, the act of passing knowledge and information from one person or generation to another is the basis of education. This law inculcates the habit of thought, maturity in reasoning and broadens the breadth of vision, enabling individuals to handle matters from different viewpoints. This notion of knowledge acquisition occurs best in the classroom and other designated areas as many other factors promoting the act are put into consideration. Within the classroom, there are many children from different families and cultural backgrounds, race and different socio-economic statuses. All these attributes play a role in classroom knowledge acquisition. The paper, therefore, offers an expository analysis of the book Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom by Delpit about the issues of cultural conflict in the classroom.

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Many people hold different view concerning education, and as a scholar, I tend to take a stand especially after a series of interaction with the book. It is evident that Children strive to excel in their classroom while passing through challenges posed by their teachers, parents, and other students. Some of this concerns are psychological, and most of the children especially those from poor backgrounds have to deal. The disparity in common culture within the classroom is viewed in economic terms that bring about the notion of social stratification, matters of the race where whites are favored more than the blacks, and other minority groups in the white and middle class dominated school. It is, therefore, important to be known that education is all that places people at the same footage and everyone deserves a chance. Professionals should understand this fact better and inculcate a different culture in students. A culture that views beyond the face value, one that prepares the world a more conducive place for all races, high, middle and low-class people for the benefit of the current and future generations (Delpit, 2006).

In the book, Delpit tremendously covers the issue of diversity. Notably, the book unfolds all the happening in the United States and also in Africa. It captures all the aspect of social, political, economic and cultural perspectives of the society. Different races are put into consideration within and in comparison to the other. It is what brings the notion of other peoples children. In addition to this, her identity and profession made to interact with parents and children from all over making her come up with more great recordings. In a nutshell, diversity in education addresses concerns that are prevalent globally affecting all the world educational institutions. Issues of power, poverty, enrolment rates, school level, teacher training, racism, social stratification and cultural influence among many (Delpit, 2006). In her records, she sympathized with the children from marginalized groups who were oppressed especially those in white and common controlled schools. She argues that it is unfair for schools to emphasize on curriculum leaving the relationship of a student among themselves at stake. Such schools failed to acknowledge education politics and accepted reality of diversity rather than embracing it (Espinoza, 1971).

Another area of concern were matters regarding educational practices. There is the daily culture of a classroom. They must be integrated for learning to occur, and besides they are common. Some of these are Teacher clarity, Classroom Discussion, Feedback, formative assessment and metacognitive strategies. The behavior and participation of children in the classroom are highly psychological. Children need to be motivated extrinsically or even intrinsically which is dependent on the facilitators attitude. Accent mastery is usually a challenge unless a teacher develops an art of pronouncing the words clearly and without hurrying so as to enable all students in the class to understand. Usually, students from great backgrounds from whichever the race, are groomed in English culture, their language is already clear. Such children cannot be compared to those from humble background grasping word after the other. In most cases, Teachers tend to forget if not ignore and concentrate on those few who are getting as opposed to the other group. This disparity is reflected even in panel discussions as the confidence of marginalized groups are lowered. During the assessment, the similar occurrence is likely to be reflected, the rich first as the poor follow. It is hard to answer and think towards something that you do not understand.

A closer look at the Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom book shows that the authors finding and principles are highly linked to the current educational practices. Educational practices being set of activities enhancing learning and ensuring positive outcome may be related following; maintaining excellent communication skills, Students engagement in learning, clear instructions, peer teaching, students involvement in decision making. Some of this have already been discussed, but considering Peer education. Ideally, it is one area of emphasis by the author. Her main worry was the interaction between students as this is the means to develop confidence and teamwork in the classroom. It is highly advisable that teachers promote this and in the process create a good rapport with the students. In addition to this, it is in order that the students are involved in decision making as may make them feel part of the class (Delpit 2006).

Conclusion

Education is the key to success. Every child regardless of the background is bound to receive and to greater extent it is a matter of human right. It is unethical for a trained professional to practice any discrimination based on race, socio-economic status, power or cultural background. All standards, principles, and guidelines pertaining education should be respect and upheld.

References

Delpit, L. D. (2006). Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom. New York: New Press.

Espinoza, M. (1971). Cultural conflict in the classroom. Sacramento? Calif.: publisher not identified.