I wasn't shocked or surprised about this week's reading. In some ways I'm glad that there is research that is being done about the treatment of urban youth that challenges the way that mainstream society has treated urban youths, in particular young men. The reading illustrates that there needs to be more research to be done about urban youth. In addition, we need to teach students that as they become adults, they will encounter a set of "rules" that are hidden. These rules impact urban youth as well as English Language Learners, too and it is an invisible divide that separates the knowing or privileged from the unprivileged. Therefore, as educators I believe it is our job to make it visible or transparent for these youth to understand that these rules exists. Otherwise, they will have a difficult time navigating each separate system or institution such as the educational system. It definately is messed up because it means that they need to know when to turn on and turn off certain things that are acceptable and not acceptable from society. Is this right?
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I think this is definitely right. I like how you put it that we as educators should make it "transparent" to the youth. I too believe that much more research and studies need to be done...Also, I think it was good that you connected that certain "rules" impact urban youth as well as English Language Learners since this might be a connection that some people don't really realize is there some of the time.
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