I found this topic very interesting. Previously I had read a few of my classmates research on this topic but I know see that the information they shared with me was miniscual to the research that shows the benefits to using Hip Hop in the classroom.
One line that really stuck with me was ” “Hip Hop is the dominant language of youth culture, and those of us who work with young people need to speak their language”De Leon, 2004, p.1)” I think this is very important for educators to understand because in order to best help our students succeed we must understand them. This statement goes for all children, not just those who “speak” Hip Hop culture. We have to learn each child’s individual “language” and then cater our teaching methods to help each child succeed and not just the children that “speak” the same “language” we do.
I think that in incorporating Hip Hop into the curriculum it also gives teachers that may not feel comfortable addressing issues like racism in the classroom. Many teachers would not feel comfortable addressing these issues in front of their students because they have never felt the effect of racism or what it’s like to be apart of a minority. By incorporating Hip Hop into the curriculum it gives them a starting place and resources to properly address these political issues.
2 Comments
Melanie Frias de Grasse
I like the quote that you pulled out. You make some good points about “language” and the importance of being able to address different students’ “languages”. When I read the article I felt that it was more about using hip hop as a lens to view social injustices and use it to develop critical consciousness. It would have been interesting if you elaborated more on that aspect of the text. I like that you address that fact that many teachers would not feel comfortable talking about racism. I think that’s very true and hopefully methods such as CHHP can help make it a little easier to talk about, but I don’t think racism should be a comfortable subject.
pjm778
Hi Melanie!
Thanks for taking the time to read my response. I agree with you that racism should not be a comfortable topic and by no means was that the idea I was trying to get across. The point I was trying to get across was that as a white teacher I would find it difficult to stand in front of my class and speak on the hardships of racism without ever experiencing these acts myself. All other school subjects like math and science I can relate to because the color of my skin is not a factor in what I am teaching. The CHHP guidelines create a starting place for teachers, like me who have never experienced racism, to start. Without these guidelines it’s difficult to address racial issues because as a white women I can never understand what they are going through. Therefore I do not think racism should be a comfortable subject, I do however believe that the resources provided by the CHHP allow white teachers to address this issue with some minuscule amount of understanding of racism.