Period 1 Blog #22

5 Tips for Talking About Racism With Kids

5 hints for starting the conversation about race (good news: it doesn't have to be awkward!)

Recently after interviewing a potential nanny, I asked my daughter Chloe, 4, what she thought. "I don't like her brown skin?" my daughter replied, phrasing it like a question in that hesitant way she does when she knows she's testing.

I was shocked—and horrified. She'd never mentioned skin color before, despite having good friends of different ethnicities, and I naively believed she was colorblind. Now, faced with the fear that I had inadvertently raised a pint-size racist, I biffed it. "That's not a nice thing to say,' I scolded her. And then, unsure of what else to say, I said nothing at all.

I'm pretty sure that falls on the "how not to handle it" list. We spoke to Dr. Beverly Tatum, president of Spelman College and author to find out what you should say, and when.

1.      Don't be afraid to bring it up

For many parents, the race talk is as difficult as the birds and the bees talk. Dr. Tatum attributes this awkwardness to a lack of communication about race in many of our own childhoods. "There are concerns about saying the wrong thing and sounding racist, even if that is not the intent." says Dr. Tatum. "Sometimes parents naively believe that if they talk about issues of race with their children, they will cause them to notice race in a way that they did not before."

2.      Look for teaching moments

Not sure how to get the conversation started? If your child comments on different skin colors, that's an easy in. Children's books that discuss race are also a gentle introduction. Or, you can look for subtle openings in everyday life. "I was cooking with my 3-year-old," says Dr. Tatum. "We used the last white egg in the carton, and then took out another carton of eggs, this time brown eggs.  My son noted that the eggs were different in color. 'Yes,' I said, as we cracked both eggs open, 'But look—they are the same inside.  Just like people, they come in different shades, but they are the same on the inside.'"

3.      Make the message age-appropriate

For preschoolers, use concrete examples, like the egg example above. Since even young children can understand when something is unfair (how many times have they lobbed the "not fair!" charge at you?), you can break down slavery (or segregation) for them: Slavery happened a long time ago, but holding people captive and making them work without paying them is unfair. So slavery ended, because many people thought it was unfair and worked to change it. "I think it is important to emphasize that no racial group is all bad or all victims," says Dr. Tatum. "For example, in the US, white people were slaveowners, but white people also worked against slavery. Black people were enslaved, but many resisted their mistreatment by running away and helping others escape. Offering examples of people working together is also important."

4.      Accept that prejudiced comments may happen—and that doesn't mean your child is racist

If your kid makes a questionable remark, don't freak. "Children often repeat what they hear others say, and it doesn't necessarily mean that the child believes it," says Dr. Tatum. "Ask questions. 'What made you say....?' Gently dispute the stereotype or prejudiced attitudes. 'I've heard people say X about Y, but my experience with Y people is...' and give an example to dispute the stereotype."

5.      Most importantly, be a role model

"The best way to reduce children's prejudices is to model an inclusive home, demonstrating that you have friends of all backgrounds," says Dr. Tatum. "Parents who have learned to lead multicultural lives, connecting with people different from themselves, are more likely to have children who develop those important life skills at an early age."

As for my own little stumble, we've recovered. Hanging out together on Martin Luther King Day, I asked Chloe if she knew who Dr. King was, and somehow she did. We talked about the work he did, and how unfair it is to treat someone badly just because they have different color skin. And then we went back to coloring.

Your comment must be at least 380 words. Due by Tuesday 4/17 at 11:59pm. Your reply to a classmate is due Thursday 4/19 at 11:59pm.

• Sum up each piece of advice offered by the author.
• What advice might Atticus add if he were writing this article?
• The last piece of advice tells parents that they should be a role model for their kids on how to treat people, how was Atticus a role model for Scout and Jem on how to treat people?

 

Period 3 Blog #22

Arthur Miller: Writing During the Red Scare

By Claudia Adrien. Mar 3, 2017. 9:00 AM.

Topics: History, Drama

The Cold War was an era clouded by persistent paranoia, not only between the United States and the Soviet Union. When it came to its own citizens, the U.S. government was, in some cases, just as fearful as it was about foreign threats—especially when it came to the Hollywood crowd. Indeed, in October 1947, members of a congressional committee, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), began investigating members of the movie industry who they suspected were communist sympathizers. They banned the work of 325 screenwriters, actors, and directors*. Among those blacklisted were composer Aaron Copland, writers Dashiell Hammett, Lillian Hellman, and Dorothy Parker, playwright Arthur Miller, and actor and filmmaker Orson Welles.

The Creative Environment During the Cold War

The term McCarthyism came out of this period and is now used more broadly to describe unfounded accusations of one group or political party against its opponent, particularly in discussions of patriotism and integrity.

In the 1950s, anyone suspected of communist sympathies was thoroughly investigated with no mind paid for the personal damage such an investigation may have caused. During this time, there were few in the press willing to stand up against Senator Joseph McCarthy and the anti-Communist hunt he led.

In 1950, ten individuals, known as the Hollywood Ten, defied HUAC and refused to cooperate with the investigation. They cited the actions of the committee as a violation of their civil liberties, as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution afforded them the right to belong to any political organization. The men were sentenced to a year in jail, although one of the Hollywood Ten, Edward Dmytryk, decided to cooperate with the government and provided the names of more than 20 in Hollywood he alleged were communists**.

Arthur Miller's Response

In response to this period of intimidation, playwright Arthur Miller penned some of his most notable works, including The Crucible (1953), an interpretation of the events that occurred in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, where twenty innocent people were executed for witchcraft.

The way in which Miller paralleled the witch trials with the era of McCarthyism earned him a seat in front of HUAC. He was convicted of contempt of Congress for failing to name names of communist sympathizers; however, his conviction was later overturned. Nevertheless, the experience continued to impact the playwright and his later works.

In The Creation of the World and Other Business (1972), Miller is inspired by the Book of Genesis and its themes of good versus evil; however, he gives a comedic rendition in The Creation wherein God is powerful but lacks intelligence.

In the Incident at Vichy (1964), Miller explores human nature, guilt, and fear while depicting how the Nazis orchestrated the Holocaust without much resistance.

To better understand Miller and his thought process, it is helpful to look to The Theater Essays. In the work, Miller discusses the roots of modern drama and the state of contemporary theater with reference to other notable writers such as Ibsen, Chekhov, and O'Neill. He also compares attitudes toward theater in Russia, China, and the United States.

In short, Arthur Miller is one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century whose work often reflected the oppressive nature of the contemporary state, especially during McCarthyism. In an era of fear and intimidation, Arthur Miller stands out as someone who wasn't afraid to write his conscience.

 

Your comment must be at least 380 words. Due by Tuesday 4/17 at 11:59pm. Your reply to a classmate is due Thursday 4/19 at 11:59pm.

-How was Arthur Miller using the events around him to shape his writing?

-What influence did the Red Scare have on his writing of The Crucible?

-What parallels can be found between the Red Scare and the Salem Witch Trials?

 

Perid 4/5 Blog #22

Arthur Miller: Writing During the Red Scare

By Claudia Adrien. Mar 3, 2017. 9:00 AM.

Topics: History, Drama

The Cold War was an era clouded by persistent paranoia, not only between the United States and the Soviet Union. When it came to its own citizens, the U.S. government was, in some cases, just as fearful as it was about foreign threats—especially when it came to the Hollywood crowd. Indeed, in October 1947, members of a congressional committee, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), began investigating members of the movie industry who they suspected were communist sympathizers. They banned the work of 325 screenwriters, actors, and directors*. Among those blacklisted were composer Aaron Copland, writers Dashiell Hammett, Lillian Hellman, and Dorothy Parker, playwright Arthur Miller, and actor and filmmaker Orson Welles.

The Creative Environment During the Cold War

The term McCarthyism came out of this period and is now used more broadly to describe unfounded accusations of one group or political party against its opponent, particularly in discussions of patriotism and integrity.

In the 1950s, anyone suspected of communist sympathies was thoroughly investigated with no mind paid for the personal damage such an investigation may have caused. During this time, there were few in the press willing to stand up against Senator Joseph McCarthy and the anti-Communist hunt he led.

In 1950, ten individuals, known as the Hollywood Ten, defied HUAC and refused to cooperate with the investigation. They cited the actions of the committee as a violation of their civil liberties, as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution afforded them the right to belong to any political organization. The men were sentenced to a year in jail, although one of the Hollywood Ten, Edward Dmytryk, decided to cooperate with the government and provided the names of more than 20 in Hollywood he alleged were communists**.

Arthur Miller's Response

In response to this period of intimidation, playwright Arthur Miller penned some of his most notable works, including The Crucible (1953), an interpretation of the events that occurred in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, where twenty innocent people were executed for witchcraft.

The way in which Miller paralleled the witch trials with the era of McCarthyism earned him a seat in front of HUAC. He was convicted of contempt of Congress for failing to name names of communist sympathizers; however, his conviction was later overturned. Nevertheless, the experience continued to impact the playwright and his later works.

In The Creation of the World and Other Business (1972), Miller is inspired by the Book of Genesis and its themes of good versus evil; however, he gives a comedic rendition in The Creation wherein God is powerful but lacks intelligence.

In the Incident at Vichy (1964), Miller explores human nature, guilt, and fear while depicting how the Nazis orchestrated the Holocaust without much resistance.

To better understand Miller and his thought process, it is helpful to look to The Theater Essays. In the work, Miller discusses the roots of modern drama and the state of contemporary theater with reference to other notable writers such as Ibsen, Chekhov, and O'Neill. He also compares attitudes toward theater in Russia, China, and the United States.

In short, Arthur Miller is one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century whose work often reflected the oppressive nature of the contemporary state, especially during McCarthyism. In an era of fear and intimidation, Arthur Miller stands out as someone who wasn't afraid to write his conscience.

 

Your comment must be at least 380 words. Due by Tuesday 4/17 at 11:59pm. Your reply to a classmate is due Thursday 4/19 at 11:59pm.

-How was Arthur Miller using the events around him to shape his writing?

-What influence did the Red Scare have on his writing of The Crucible?

-What parallels can be found between the Red Scare and the Salem Witch Trials?

 

Period 9/10 Blog #22

5 Tips for Talking About Racism With Kids

5 hints for starting the conversation about race (good news: it doesn't have to be awkward!)

Recently after interviewing a potential nanny, I asked my daughter Chloe, 4, what she thought. "I don't like her brown skin?" my daughter replied, phrasing it like a question in that hesitant way she does when she knows she's testing.

I was shocked—and horrified. She'd never mentioned skin color before, despite having good friends of different ethnicities, and I naively believed she was colorblind. Now, faced with the fear that I had inadvertently raised a pint-size racist, I biffed it. "That's not a nice thing to say,' I scolded her. And then, unsure of what else to say, I said nothing at all.

I'm pretty sure that falls on the "how not to handle it" list. We spoke to Dr. Beverly Tatum, president of Spelman College and author to find out what you should say, and when.

1.      Don't be afraid to bring it up

For many parents, the race talk is as difficult as the birds and the bees talk. Dr. Tatum attributes this awkwardness to a lack of communication about race in many of our own childhoods. "There are concerns about saying the wrong thing and sounding racist, even if that is not the intent." says Dr. Tatum. "Sometimes parents naively believe that if they talk about issues of race with their children, they will cause them to notice race in a way that they did not before."

2.      Look for teaching moments

Not sure how to get the conversation started? If your child comments on different skin colors, that's an easy in. Children's books that discuss race are also a gentle introduction. Or, you can look for subtle openings in everyday life. "I was cooking with my 3-year-old," says Dr. Tatum. "We used the last white egg in the carton, and then took out another carton of eggs, this time brown eggs.  My son noted that the eggs were different in color. 'Yes,' I said, as we cracked both eggs open, 'But look—they are the same inside.  Just like people, they come in different shades, but they are the same on the inside.'"

3.      Make the message age-appropriate

For preschoolers, use concrete examples, like the egg example above. Since even young children can understand when something is unfair (how many times have they lobbed the "not fair!" charge at you?), you can break down slavery (or segregation) for them: Slavery happened a long time ago, but holding people captive and making them work without paying them is unfair. So slavery ended, because many people thought it was unfair and worked to change it. "I think it is important to emphasize that no racial group is all bad or all victims," says Dr. Tatum. "For example, in the US, white people were slaveowners, but white people also worked against slavery. Black people were enslaved, but many resisted their mistreatment by running away and helping others escape. Offering examples of people working together is also important."

4.      Accept that prejudiced comments may happen—and that doesn't mean your child is racist

If your kid makes a questionable remark, don't freak. "Children often repeat what they hear others say, and it doesn't necessarily mean that the child believes it," says Dr. Tatum. "Ask questions. 'What made you say....?' Gently dispute the stereotype or prejudiced attitudes. 'I've heard people say X about Y, but my experience with Y people is...' and give an example to dispute the stereotype."

5.      Most importantly, be a role model

"The best way to reduce children's prejudices is to model an inclusive home, demonstrating that you have friends of all backgrounds," says Dr. Tatum. "Parents who have learned to lead multicultural lives, connecting with people different from themselves, are more likely to have children who develop those important life skills at an early age."

As for my own little stumble, we've recovered. Hanging out together on Martin Luther King Day, I asked Chloe if she knew who Dr. King was, and somehow she did. We talked about the work he did, and how unfair it is to treat someone badly just because they have different color skin. And then we went back to coloring.

Your comment must be at least 380 words. Due by Tuesday 4/17 at 11:59pm. Your reply to a classmate is due Thursday 4/19 at 11:59pm.

• Sum up each piece of advice offered by the author.
• What advice might Atticus add if he were writing this article?
• The last piece of advice tells parents that they should be a role model for their kids on how to treat people, how was Atticus a role model for Scout and Jem on how to treat people?

 

Period 11 Blog #22

Arthur Miller: Writing During the Red Scare

By Claudia Adrien. Mar 3, 2017. 9:00 AM.

Topics: History, Drama

The Cold War was an era clouded by persistent paranoia, not only between the United States and the Soviet Union. When it came to its own citizens, the U.S. government was, in some cases, just as fearful as it was about foreign threats—especially when it came to the Hollywood crowd. Indeed, in October 1947, members of a congressional committee, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), began investigating members of the movie industry who they suspected were communist sympathizers. They banned the work of 325 screenwriters, actors, and directors*. Among those blacklisted were composer Aaron Copland, writers Dashiell Hammett, Lillian Hellman, and Dorothy Parker, playwright Arthur Miller, and actor and filmmaker Orson Welles.

The Creative Environment During the Cold War

The term McCarthyism came out of this period and is now used more broadly to describe unfounded accusations of one group or political party against its opponent, particularly in discussions of patriotism and integrity.

In the 1950s, anyone suspected of communist sympathies was thoroughly investigated with no mind paid for the personal damage such an investigation may have caused. During this time, there were few in the press willing to stand up against Senator Joseph McCarthy and the anti-Communist hunt he led.

In 1950, ten individuals, known as the Hollywood Ten, defied HUAC and refused to cooperate with the investigation. They cited the actions of the committee as a violation of their civil liberties, as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution afforded them the right to belong to any political organization. The men were sentenced to a year in jail, although one of the Hollywood Ten, Edward Dmytryk, decided to cooperate with the government and provided the names of more than 20 in Hollywood he alleged were communists**.

Arthur Miller's Response

In response to this period of intimidation, playwright Arthur Miller penned some of his most notable works, including The Crucible (1953), an interpretation of the events that occurred in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, where twenty innocent people were executed for witchcraft.

The way in which Miller paralleled the witch trials with the era of McCarthyism earned him a seat in front of HUAC. He was convicted of contempt of Congress for failing to name names of communist sympathizers; however, his conviction was later overturned. Nevertheless, the experience continued to impact the playwright and his later works.

In The Creation of the World and Other Business (1972), Miller is inspired by the Book of Genesis and its themes of good versus evil; however, he gives a comedic rendition in The Creation wherein God is powerful but lacks intelligence.

In the Incident at Vichy (1964), Miller explores human nature, guilt, and fear while depicting how the Nazis orchestrated the Holocaust without much resistance.

To better understand Miller and his thought process, it is helpful to look to The Theater Essays. In the work, Miller discusses the roots of modern drama and the state of contemporary theater with reference to other notable writers such as Ibsen, Chekhov, and O'Neill. He also compares attitudes toward theater in Russia, China, and the United States.

In short, Arthur Miller is one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century whose work often reflected the oppressive nature of the contemporary state, especially during McCarthyism. In an era of fear and intimidation, Arthur Miller stands out as someone who wasn't afraid to write his conscience.

 

Your comment must be at least 380 words. Due by Tuesday 4/17 at 11:59pm. Your reply to a classmate is due Thursday 4/19 at 11:59pm.

-How was Arthur Miller using the events around him to shape his writing?

-What influence did the Red Scare have on his writing of The Crucible?

-What parallels can be found between the Red Scare and the Salem Witch Trials?