Discrimination

I had a difficult time thinking about a time when I was discriminated against. I'm sure there are times that I do not remember or that I blocked out, but nothing is predominately sticking out. One thing that I find I get discriminated against is the fact that I am going to be an art teacher. Many individuals do not understand or believe in the importance of art. This happens many times, especially in my education classes. I have been shoved aside on more than one occasion and told that the material taught does not pertain to me because I am an art teacher. I hear words such as, "You won't use this, you're just an art teacher" and "Oh, you art people don't have to worry about assessment". This really infuriates me! It links brain to many other thoughts, especially how people view art in schools. This could pertain to parents, other teachers, administration, and students. When we are looked down on by all of the above and people already have the mentality that we are just "extras" and don't matter, it is much harder to be successful as a student and a teacher. I'm not saying that this is everyone's mentality, but it hurts to attend an education school when many professors do not care about or respect the arts and the individuals studying them.
As far as handling the situation, it depends on the circumstances. I have spoken against professors in class, in a professional way of course, about how they are addressing the art educators in the room. When one professor told me that art teachers do not use assessment, I spoke up and told the class that yes, in fact art teachers do use assessment! It developed into a discussion for the classroom. There are also classes that I do not feel I can speak up, so I just let it go or bottle it up to tell to my fellow art education classmates later. It's sad, but true.

As far as discriminating against someone else, I try not to. I'm sure that I've done it on more than one occasion, but I'd like to think that I am a relatively open individual. I remember when we'd chose a teacher we didn't like in middle school and high school and TP their home. This could be considered discrimination. I suppose I have discriminated against individuals who sit around on their butt all day while complaining about not having money. I have also discriminated against extremely religious people whom may speak in tongues on occasion. By discriminating, I mean that I do not enjoy such people and usually do not find myself hanging around them and being chummy. I'm not mean to these individuals, I simply do not take part in their lives. They could be some of the best people in the world, but by my general knowledge and my meeting of just a handful of said people, I don't care to surround myself with some individuals. You may think that I am shallow, and maybe in some ways I am, but everyone has groups or individuals whom they discriminate against, even if they have the best intentions.

In the classroom, there will be many students from all kinds of different families, histories, and backgrounds. I know that I will have students whom watch Family Guy every day and use curse words in their everyday language. I also know that I will have students whom are highly religious. Many aspects of students are developed by their parents. First and foremost, I will respect all students in my classroom, no matter what background they have. Cutting discrimination in my classroom will come from the environment and demeanor of my classroom. I will strive to have an open room, where students feel free and comfortable. It is important for students to embrace differences and I believe that this is much easier to do in an art room then in many other classrooms. Art can by an expression of the self and one's surroundings. Setting up the classroom as a safe, open, and comfortable area will be a good way to combat discrimination.