Charles Hien Blog post week 2 Argument of Lisa Delpit's article on Cultural Conflict in the Classroom

     Lisa Delpit in this article argues that teachers who are successful in educating black and poor children are able to use multiple approaches to teaching. She talks about teachers not allowing themselves to be caught teaching with just a skills or process approach. Successful teachers of these groups are able to adapt to the style of the classroom. Delpit refers to communication as a key concept. Whereas some students take to a style where they are told what to do with an egalitarian style. This type of student needs a stern approach and appreciates when the teacher is in control of the classroom. Other students may need to be coaxed in a direction where they are part of the decision making. The most successful educators are able to determine which approach works best with which student. 

    Delpit also believes that students need to be heard in their own voice. She uses an example where a Native American teacher uses a large board and separates "Village English" from "Standard English". This educator teaches her students the usefulness of both. Another word this educator uses for her students is "Heritage Language" and teaches her students where and when this will be useful. At the same time she points out how "Standard English" will also benefit in gaining power in other circumstances. 

    The article ties in the concept of how schooling is related to "Power". Culture of power is referred to as the way a student writes, dresses and talks. The people that have the power are not always of the same class, race or religion of those they are teaching. When teachers are operating from a different cultural perspective, maybe they are not the best person to be teaching that particular group.