Cultural Survival

Cultural Survival “It’s not what we do when we survive that matters, but the way we go about it that counts.” Such was the challenge posed by Dr. Dora K. Williams to her students as they started their first year of college at Maynier High School this past month. Her words resonate well today as America continues its increasingly volatile cultural landscape. The country is still reeling from an economic recession caused by COVID-19 and rising gas prices are affecting many Americans in direct or indirect ways.

Williams also said that the COVID-19 pandemic and other socio-political issues have played a role in the rise in crime rates in our schools. A recent report released by national consulting firm Sidley Austin indicated that since 2019 there has been a 50 percent increase in school shootings. According to Public Policy Polling data compiled for Reuters, the number of criminal cases filed within U.S. state judicial systems on file with the FBI has more than doubled in just two years. This number has continued to surge as several people across the nation have either lost jobs during the crisis or continue to face increasing hardships due to high unemployment and low pay. Despite all these difficulties, I believe the future of our youth rests upon how quickly things can change. In order to achieve this, we must use our skills and talents to find solutions.

With those issues and a global pandemic that affects us more every day, it is easy to lose hope. However, we should always remember that some of the hardest times are also the most important ones to learn from. Our collective efforts will help shape a better tomorrow despite all the trials that we face. As teachers, parents, and students, we will be able to help one another. We can start small and build momentum to achieve greater heights.

As educators, there is no doubt that the world needs a good education, especially now that so much time has gone by without seeing students return to classrooms. It saddens me as a teacher to know that our children will have to spend even longer without the same opportunities that they had before the pandemic forced them to quarantine for months. If we want our children to succeed in life, they must realize and accept the value of hard work. They must understand that education is not merely filling out blank pages; it’s preparing them to thrive in their community and society. Students need to study hard, take rigorous classes, and work on projects. Their success depends on the quality of instruction given by the faculty. When we care deeply about our students, we make them feel safe, and we ensure they develop their passions and talents throughout their academic journey. That includes attending extra lessons, reading their favorite authors, volunteering to tutor younger children, writing journals for class discussions, studying foreign languages, developing leadership qualities, participating in extracurricular activities, and pursuing career interests and dreams. These practices prepare our students to become responsible citizens who can contribute positively to society.

Cultural Survival

To sum up, my thoughts, let me put them into simple terms for you to understand why your child does best when he/she takes risks. Your student is learning and growing because you are willing to listen, support him/her, motivate, and guide them. You need to set your example. He or she must learn to read and write fluently to avoid being left behind. Those are among the basic skills that students need to understand. With confidence, knowledge, and the right mindset, they can find themselves contributing to positive changes in the lives of others. Remember, education is not simply filling out pages; it helps kids focus on their core academic abilities – which could include mathematics, science, art, and more. It gives them the skills to handle stress, grow and mature, and achieve personal accomplishments. The list goes on, and the bottom line is helping kids move forward in life. There is no problem too big to solve if only a kid or two steps up to the plate. Let them figure it out for themselves. Most importantly, encourage them to pursue higher education and get educated by experts and professionals. Encourage them to find new ways to interact with fellow learners, and create healthy relationships with those around them. Don’t forget to teach them moral values and respect for diversity. Once again, show them that their strengths are valuable assets to their community. Help them become independent. Allow them to make decisions and take control over their own destiny.

Cultural Survival

At this point, I would like to remind everyone that it doesn’t matter where you live, we still have to learn to adapt to changing social environments. Living in New York City, I have seen firsthand how a place may look different from what it once was. While it might be challenging to adjust to the current situation, the reality is that nothing is impossible. Things change, people become sick or infected, and then you need to change something about your routine or surroundings. One day, someone may open a store that sells clothes made in China during the pandemic. Or maybe a restaurant or bar that opened during lockdown has to close down after receiving numerous complaints. Maybe your local park that used to host joggers and skaters is now filled with abandoned bicycles. Change is inevitable. But it doesn’t mean a change to the worst! Just like any other aspect of human existence, culture and societal norms also change, often to worse extremes. Some people see the change as a process of acclimatization. Others feel that it means a complete overhaul is needed. Neither group is incorrect, and each one has valid points. For instance, acclimation involves adjusting to an environment with little to no knowledge of the current conditions. Unfortunately, such adaptation is rarely effective. Acclimatization may lead to frustration, anxiety, disorientation, and depression. On the other hand, remodeling is usually based on a thorough analysis of the issue at hand and careful consideration of possible alternatives. The main difference between remodeling and reform is that people involved in reform seek to improve the existing status quo, whereas remodeling seeks to restore an ideal.

Cultural Survival

In conclusion, I encourage both parties to engage in productive debates about whether we should continue with our educational system or revamp it together. Ultimately, our children are not sitting ducks waiting to be rescued. We are working together to create a brighter future for ourselves and for our children. So next time you hear people complaining about the negative aspects associated with returning to the classroom, say a prayer for your offspring and keep his or her head held high. After all, our children will need all the encouragement they can receive. (Read More…..)