Learning about Racial Identity and Fairness

Journal Entry #3: Learning about Racial Identity and Fairness
Institution
Course Number and Name
Instructor’s Name
Date
Student’s Name
Journal Entry#3: Learning about Racial Identity and Fairness
As I intimated in my earlier journal entries, one of my foremost endeavors as an educator is to ensure the smooth learning of all children. I view all children as equal irrespective of their ethnicity; as such, I undertake to see to it that they have access to equal learning opportunities. Chapter 6 (Learning about Racial Identity and Fairness) of the book by Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) captivated me immensely. This is because it touches on the sensitive topic of racial identity and fairness among children.
I resonated with the first fragment of the topic, which broadly defines the concept of race. According to Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010), the principal purpose that the concept of race serves is to cause unnecessary divisions among people. Some are unreasonably made to feel and act superior to others, while the contrary is true. These stereotypical beliefs trickle down to children, significantly influencing their life prospects. For instance, children from certain ethnic backgrounds are grossly disadvantaged solely due to racial divisions and stereotypes. They live in unsafe neighborhoods and cannot access specific privileges. In this respect, many will agree with me that white children have relatively ready access to resources that guarantee them a prosperous future as opposed to colored children. In my considered view, it is incumbent upon all American adults to disabuse children of the gross misinformation fed to them on racial identity.
Reading this topic makes me profoundly sad because it acknowledges the fact that racism and inequality continue to ravage American society. In this advanced age, dividing and treating people along ethnic and racial lines is unacceptable. I concur with the authors that we all belong to the same race; the human race (Derman-Sharks & Edwards, 2010). As such, all people should enjoy ...