Yan Zhu

1. Yan Zhu Empowerment and Multiculturalism Presentation Based on Guistein & Sleeter’s articles

2. Why center teaching around issues of social justice? As educators, regardless of the subject we teach, if we do not link the materials we teach to real life issues. The subject is essentially meaningless because they are just disconnected rules to be memorized and then forgotten in the long run. Students should use knowledge they gained from institutions as tools to positively transform society. As the saying goes, “knowledge is power”. The power to change the world. As educators, we should share our views and analysis of social issues as well as provide adequate space for students to develop their own voices. Guide students toNOT be afraid to have an opinion. To question authority, challenge the status quo, challenge the system for a better future.

3. Sleeter’s View of “power” • Power should lie in the hands of the constituent base. Constituent base refers to the community, parents of the oppressed groups, advocacy organizations. It shouldnot lie only in the hands of the power holders: administrators, classroom teachers, university professionals..etc. because they tend to recognize the power of their own self-interest and point of view, thereby leading to reshape education to fit their own needs. • That is not to say they can’t be involved, they can be helpful allies to the constituent base.

4. Gutstein’s view of “power” • Use mathematics to understand relations of power, resource inequities, and disparate opportunities between different social groups and to understand explicit discrimination based on race, class, gender, language, and other differences. • Both students and teacher should work together, or collaborate to can raise questions, challenges, differences, and problems while conducting political analysis of society.(teachers and students are partners)= similar to Sleeter’s concept of power where the power holders and the constituents should work together. • Mathematics empowers students to critique society and seek changes based on their reflective analysis • Mathematics empowers themselves to push societies to equality, justice, and larger sociopolitcal context.

5. Empowerment Sleeter’s view? • According to Sleeter, there are four main sectors in a movement: the constituent base, the power holders, the activist, and the general public. The constituent base stands in opposition to the power holders (must be confronted) Whatever action strategies is chosen,(routine advocacy, education and persuasion, negotiation, direct action) you MUST get the constituents directly involved so that they see a direct connection between their own actions and organization and results = empowerment. • What is the purpose(my view) of empowerment? How can this word function in my own curriculum? • It is a process that facilitate power in people, for use in their own lives, their communities, and in their society, by acting on issues that they define as important. • Empowerment is achieved from sharing, changing, and expanding our powers. In order to change for the better, we need to listen, and work together with our students, the community, parents to develop a well rounded curriculum.

6. Purpose of Multicultural Curriculum • For teachers, recognizing the barriers marginalized communities and groups faces. • Work together to change the structures that are serving as barriers. • Inspire students to act politically, to advocate both individually and collectively for themselves and for other marginalized people.