Group Discussion Questions fo 7/19

Ladson-Billings readings:
"Regularly, preservice teachers report feelings of guilt and outrage because they receive information about inequity, racism and social injustice in ways that destabilize their sense of themselves and make them feel responsible for the conditions of poor children of color in our schools." (p. 38)

As perceived future non-colored educators (in the eyes of society), have you ever felt self-guilt based off the teaching challenges you've encountered or received information about in regards to the conditions of poor children of color in schools? If so, what factors contributed to you feeling responsible for such challenges historically embedded in American culture (which are ultimately not your fault)?

Perry readings:
Out of the several questions Perry presented about the African American challenges in schools, in my opinion, the most compelling question that was asked was in her closing remarks:

"But what do all of these observations have to do with the current conversation about African American school achievement?" (p. 51)

Since slavery, this "current conversation" about African-American school achievement has changed endlessly, with society trying to level the playing field for each generational group to succeed alongside their white counterparts within each era. What was something new that you obtained from this particular reading (published in 2003) that you feel actually adds to the resolution of helping African American students in the 21 century excel academically?