I have been doing some snooping around for articles and "current event" type evidence to pin-point one of these groups, but they keep intermingling in my mind and so they are intermingled in this thoughtful post:
Refugees and the impoverished both suffer from a form of situational poverty. These groups of people had no power in deciding their situation. Abrupt and unwelcome changes in macrofactors (external factors over which an individual lacks control) forced them into a new life.
I found the following 20/20 report very eye opening. Is follows the story of two very wealthy families suddenly gone broke and homeless in the economic downturn;
20/20 Report: A look at families coping with recession-from hedge funds to pizza delivery
Also listen to this audio clip and check out the article below. It gives a little insight (for those who may not have realized it) of the impact economic crisis has on children in schools.
Audio:
">[Homeless children, hidden victims of recession -Ana Marie Cox]
[News Article: In Tough Times Ranks of Homeless Students Rising]
The following news article and video demonstrates the reality of a sudden homelessness and the impact it has on families and children in Florida. [News Article with photo gallery: ">Homeless Children find Stability in School]
Both groups (refugee and homeless) are seen as "the other," categorically different because often they do not assimilate to dominate culture (refugees in particular keep their cultural identity). They are not someone we align with. They are the odd foreigner or the smelly poor kid in class. The strangely dressed and ignorant person shopping at the dollar store. They are the kind of person we stare at and give service to, not a person we associate with.
But with the current economic recession the stereotype of the homeless and is being challenged as neighbors and once wealthy businessmen slip into poverty. As such this group is going overlooked, seen but unseen.
The cultural capital (load of cultural traits) of these disadvantaged groups (impoverished and refugee) instigates prejudice. Their apparent differences can elicit conscious and even subconscious discrimination translating into active as well as passive racism.
[Article:Refugee stereotypes are not always accurate]
Sometimes this discrimination can be a positive recognition of differences and results in acts of aid and service. For example a teacher may recognizes an impoverished or migrant student's extra academic or emotional need and will give them extra attention.
Differentiation of refugees and other impoverished individuals can also be negative. Students seen as different are often bullied or excluded by other students at school. Maybe their parents feel ostracized by the dominant culture and are uncomfortable invervening in their child's education.
Higher-class people who believe meritocracy (the idea that worth is based on merit) devalue and have preconceptions about situationally impoverished and displaced individuals. The poor condition of their situation is wrongly attributed to microfactors (factors the individual has control over). As a result refugees and the homeless are labeled as “ignorant” “lazy” seen as unimportant members of society.
[Article from college media network: Homeless speak about being homeless and defy stereotypes]
[Blog Post: Stereotypes of people that are homeless]
In the classroom a teacher may see refugee student (particularly one who has never had formal schooling before and does not speak English), as a “lost cause.” Such students may be neglected or overlooked and usually end up fulfilling the teachers’ prophesy to not succeed.
[Take a look at a post written by an immigrant: Dealing with ethical and racial discrimination]
Community members, neighbors and teachers need to give individuals from these disadvantaged groups “a chance.” Teachers, as stewards of their schools and communities are particularly responsible for this. A good teacher, with a genuine concern enveloped in a nurturing pedagogy can have a profound impact in the life of a student.
[This was a very interesting and inspiring website, especially for ELL teachers: [Education Article: How to support refugee students in the ELL classroom ]
Keeping up on current events and being mindful of the way cultural minority groups are being depicted in society is important. Because of their role as a mentor, leader and deliberator in the classroom, teachers should be well-informed on the societal representation of their students. It is important to know how a culturally diverse student (such as a refugee) is being seen by society, the community and peers. Teachers who are aware to the societal perception of culturally diverse students in their classrooms can watch for peer discrimination mediate between students.
For both refugees and the impoverished, economic status is key to their “exclusion” from society. This exclusion trickles down to the classroom even translating in a child being ostracized because of their lack of nice clothing or other material things. According to the “resistance theory” individuals may respond to denied acceptance either positively (embracing differences) or negatively (antagonism because of denial).
Another concern is for a teacher to exclude disadvantaged students by requiring them to use resources (internet, project materials, a parent’s time) they may not have. This is another reason for teachers to be well informed and aware of the general perceptions and specific conditions of such a student this concern can be alleviated.
Discrimination, both active and passive can drastically affect the life and learning of disadvantaged students. It is my hope that we as teachers (and individuals) will be aware of the struggles of culturally diverse sensitive to the needs of individual students. It is a hard but rewarding job: the work of a teacher.
Below I have included links and references to sources depicting and discussing the situationally impoverished (e.g. those suddenly evicted in current economic downturn) and new immigrants finding refuge in the United States.
Refugees in America graph:
Audio:>Homeless children, hidden victims of recession -Ana Marie Cox
