Blog #4- The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies by Christine E. Sleeter

The readings "The Silenced Dialogue" by Lisa Delpit and "The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies" by Christine E. Sleeter, along with the video "Precious Knowledge," highlight how important it is to have inclusive education that reflects students' diverse backgrounds. They argue that when schools recognize and include different cultures in their lessons, students become more engaged, successful, and confident. Delpit discusses how teachers hold power over students and stresses the need for educators to be aware of their own privileges to create a fair learning environment. Sleeter shares stories of students in Tucson who became interested in school through ethnic studies classes, which helped them connect with their culture and real-world issues. The film "Precious Knowledge" shows how removing these programs can harm minority students by denying them representation. Both Delpit and Sleeter highlight that education often focuses on white narratives, leaving out the stories of other racial groups. They advocate for including ethnic studies as an essential part of education to help create a more equitable society. Reflecting on personal experiences, many students have had little exposure to ethnic studies, which suggests a need for more of these topics in school to promote understanding and connection among all students.