ieLiteracies of Power: What Americans are not Allowed to Know by Donaldo Macedo calls attention to pressing issues in American that are not often discussed or acknowledged. Donald Macedo came to the United States as a non-native speaker and experienced discrimination first-hand. Literacies of Power sheds light on what it is like to not be in the majority and discusses certain literacies and pedagogies that hinder truth and knowledge. Macedo uses this book as a wake-up call for today’s society to recognize the truth to our society substantiated by his personal and historical examples. The overall premise of this book is in America our student’s education is impeded by those in power, our “common culture,” and our form of democracy by pedagogies
…show more content…
Ultimately, discrimination continues the cycle creating a third world within our first world negatively impacting education because it remains structured for those in the dominant culture. The chapter “English Only: The Tongue-Tying of America” details how we use only English in education and the language of different ethnics, cultures, or genders are not welcomed. English is considered a more feasible language for instruction, which hinders student’s education by omission of culture and shows preferences for the common culture. Macedo provided a simple suggestion to educate minorities by validating their language that would be difficult to implement given the deep roots of discrimination in education. The “choiceless choice” and the NPR podcast “Ghetto Life 101” are powerful relatable examples used to show discrimination still occurs. Minorities struggle to get jobs, regardless of their education or capabilities, taking away their choice where to live and the education their children receive. The education for minorities will continue to be less than those in the majority because of the “choiceless choice” continuing the …show more content…
The tone of the book seemed angry and emotional to get his ideas across, which strengthened the book by making it more compelling. An unbiased opposing point of view would be beneficial for the reader to engage in their own critical thinking and come to their own conclusion. The examples are repetitive making his view feel forced. Readers might be discouraged by Macedo’s style of writing and his liberal point of view. This book would benefit everyone, especially those the dominant culture and educators to open their eyes to pressing issues in hopes to transform education. My professional aspirations involve educational measurement, but after reading this book, I now question if we accurately assess knowledge for everyone using standardized assessments, when our educational system is biased and consists of lies. I did not realize how much our knowledge and education is impacted by those in power, our “common culture,” and our form of democracy. This makes me a lot more critical about educational measurement and
Ultimately, discrimination continues the cycle creating a third world within our first world negatively impacting education because it remains structured for those in the dominant culture. The chapter “English Only: The Tongue-Tying of America” details how we use only English in education and the language of different ethnics, cultures, or genders are not welcomed. English is considered a more feasible language for instruction, which hinders student’s education by omission of culture and shows preferences for the common culture. Macedo provided a simple suggestion to educate minorities by validating their language that would be difficult to implement given the deep roots of discrimination in education. The “choiceless choice” and the NPR podcast “Ghetto Life 101” are powerful relatable examples used to show discrimination still occurs. Minorities struggle to get jobs, regardless of their education or capabilities, taking away their choice where to live and the education their children receive. The education for minorities will continue to be less than those in the majority because of the “choiceless choice” continuing the …show more content…
The tone of the book seemed angry and emotional to get his ideas across, which strengthened the book by making it more compelling. An unbiased opposing point of view would be beneficial for the reader to engage in their own critical thinking and come to their own conclusion. The examples are repetitive making his view feel forced. Readers might be discouraged by Macedo’s style of writing and his liberal point of view. This book would benefit everyone, especially those the dominant culture and educators to open their eyes to pressing issues in hopes to transform education. My professional aspirations involve educational measurement, but after reading this book, I now question if we accurately assess knowledge for everyone using standardized assessments, when our educational system is biased and consists of lies. I did not realize how much our knowledge and education is impacted by those in power, our “common culture,” and our form of democracy. This makes me a lot more critical about educational measurement and