Part VI- Book Club

1) This book was such a good and interesting read for me.  It really opened my eyes to not only the privileges that I have, but also to the awful and depressing circumstances that so many individuals in this country, a first world country that claims to be one of the best, find themselves in.  I had several disruptions during the reading of this book.  One of the original disruptions I felt was when his mother enrolled him in school, she was told by the administrator that "there were no white classes, only black, hispanic, or chinese."  The choices allowed to them were restricted mainly to their race.  This left me completely dumbfounded.  Another was the story of how only he did not experience corporal punishment, but everyone else in his class seemed to because they were black and he was white.  His teacher didn't feel right hitting a white child, because they are "spoiled".  This disrupted me because I grew up with the mindset that as long as one goes to school, tries, and does well, that he or she will be successful, regardless of skin color or background.  Unfortunately this proved me wrong and that the white student would have a much better and greater chance at success already from such an early age, simply by the way his teachers treated him.  Another disruption I felt was during the part when his parents were able to get him transferred so easily to another school after learning of several problems in the original school (such as a child molester hiding in the bathroom).  This disrupted me because it exemplified this idea of "white privilege" and made me realize how simple it was for his parents to get him transferred after learning of these issues, but how the African-American and Puerto Rican communities would clearly have much more difficult times doing that.  This clearly frustrated me, someone who grew up with the mindset that we all have the same opportunities and chances and success in this great nation.  

2)  One of the disruptions I felt, where his parents were so easily allowed to transfer him to another school, was an example of social capital because it showed that their "whiteness" was enough to give them power and privilege over others in the school who probably also wanted to leave, but couldn't due to financial/ racial status.  Their social capital gave them connections that allowed them huge advantages over the others individuals in the school.  

Another example is his eventual understanding of cultural capital after moving to a new apartment complex for artists.  Artists had become this identifiable group who deserved help and gave them an advantage over others in poverty because of their social standing.  

Another constant idea that should be addressed is the white privilege that he regularly experienced while growing up in the inner city.  

3) Like I said previously, these stories, and many others throughout the book, really opened my eyes to the advantages and privileges that I have as a white male.  Because of this, I believe it will affect my future thinking as a teacher by making me acknowledge this privilege that definitely exists in our society and combating it the best I can.  This means being consciously aware of the different scenarios and common acts of oppression in my classroom and attempting to eliminate them, such as calling on boys more than girls, not giving all individuals the same treatment such as punishment, etc.  These stories made me so much more aware and therefore willing to accept this unfortunate truths that plague our society and attempt to make a difference through little things every day.  

4) One of the more powerful ideas from the book is something I feel is very straightforward and needs to be heard/read: 

"I am not your typical middle class white male. I am middle class, despite the fact that my parents had no money; I am white, but I grew up in an inner-city housing project where most everyone was black or Hispanic. I enjoyed a range of privileges that were denied my neighbors but that most Americans take for granted. In fact, my childhood was like a social experiment: Find out what being middle class really means by raising a kid from a so-called good family in a so-called bad neighborhood. Define whiteness by putting a light-skinned kid in the midst of a community of color." (Honky, pg. xi)

It is so easy for us to find comfort and solace in the idea that our country is amazing and that anybody can be anything.  While there are definitely aspects of this that are true and I am extremely grateful for this country, I feel it is overly simplistic to say "everyone can be everything."  

This book really opened my eyes to this very important topic that affects so many individuals in our society.  \