Power of Agency in a Multicultural Classroom

Power of Agency in a Multicultural Classroom Power describes the capacity of an individual or teacher to compel or persuade actions or inactions. The features of power in a multicultural classroom include compulsion, penalty, and coercion. However, the power to compel specific actions in a classroom is called agency. As a result, the agency is stimulated by power.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Power of Agency in a Multicultural Classroom specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thus, teacher’s assertive behavior in a multicultural classroom stimulate agency among students (Ahlquist, 1999). Students withdraw from class activity if they perceive teacher’s dominance in class discussions. The act of withdrawal is called the agency in the classroom. Race Race is a variable that affects the teacher-student relationship. Surveys revealed that race affects student’s performance. The findings revealed that black students perform well in a black environmen t. As a result, white students develop with white teachers while Afro-American students associate with black teachers. Thus, racial interactions facilitate learning. Students will likely choose role models from teachers that share similarities in behavior, race, and ethnic background. As a result, black teachers interact better with black students than white students. Racial gap can be closed with teachers attitude and control.  Thus, teacher’s behavior and classroom techniques quality can improve communication in a multicultural environment. White privilege Diversity gap is a challenge in a multicultural environment. As a result, institutions with few minority populations suffer from white privileges. Consequently, white privileges affect student’s participation in a multicultural environment. Cultural diversity and white privileges complement each other. However, multicultural education was introduced to reduce the diversity gap. As a result, multicultural educatio n creates a balance between what is right and what is enforced.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The term white privilege denotes the advantage conferred on a dominant race. Student-teacher relationship in a white dominated institution is influenced by white privileges. As a result, Afro-American teachers suffer white dominance in a multicultural classroom. Consequently, black students are bullied my white teachers in a multicultural environment. For example, white students have the privileges to change teachers that affect their learning environment. The privilege is a disadvantage in the black community. Injustice The above example reveals the injustice in a multicultural environment. As a result, black students are oppressed in a white dominated environment. Thus, injustice prevents the student from participating in the class activity. Institutional discrimination and marg inalization Institutional discrimination and marginalization affect the student-teacher relationship. Discrimination against a minority population in a predominantly white college has been reported in various literatures. However, African-American teachers are not excluded from marginalization and discrimination. Black teachers also experience instructional marginalization in a white dominated environment. As a result, black teachers may enforce space and safety. Thus, the teacher-student relationship may be affected by institutional discrimination. Cultural diversity facilitates institutional discrimination. As a result, white teachers believe that racial discrimination is a way of life. Thus, teacher-students relationship will encounter challenges in a multicultural classroom. Multicultural education was created to bridge the gap associated with cultural diversity. However, most institutions refused to eliminate marginalization and discrimination. Space and safety Marginalization goes beyond racial abuse and discrimination. Marginalization has been entrenched as a belief system. As a result, white teachers believe that grop dominance separated them from the black community. However, space and safety improve student’s performance and relationship.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Power of Agency in a Multicultural Classroom specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a result, students engage in class activities when they feel safe in a multicultural environment. Problem will arise when the teacher fails to recognize class dynamics. As a result, ineffective class rules may limit the participation of the minority population. Safety and space facilitate understanding between the teacher and the student (Ahlquist, 1999). Thus, teachers must restrict hate speech and disturbing remarks to improve students space and safety. Having and giving voice Having and giving voice to a minority population impr oved the communication gap between the student and teacher. Multicultural education can be used to bridge the gap in a diversified environment. As a result, teachers must allow students to express themselves in class discussions. Consequently, teachers must understand students silence to facilitate learning. Cultural barriers and shock can be eliminated using effective classroom techniques. Thus, teachers must support the arguments and contributions of every member of the class. What does diversity mean to you? Diversity describes the individual acceptance of other cultures, social system, physical abilities, and race and belief system. Words that associate with diversity include bystander, bias, discrimination, ally, and stereotype. These words describe an individual’s reservation towards diversity in a multicultural classroom. I connected these words to explain the meaning of diversity and its implications in a multicultural environment. Cultural diversity in a multicultura l environment combines race, and ethnic background. Belief. Belief describes the assumed hypothesis that facilitates learning. I used the belief system to express the concept of cultural diversity. In a multicultural environment, the student’s belief system facilitates class discussions and academic performance. For example, white students believe to be superior to Afro-American students. As a result, they may exhibit class dominance in group task or discussions.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Attitude. Attitude describes an individual’s preference towards another. As a result, attitude influence learning in a multicultural environment. Thus, the teacher’s attitude facilitates learning. Values. An ethical way of living is called a value. Values mean an aggregate expression of human behavior, culture, and norms. As a result, value tailors an individual’s habits, and communication skills. What does this mean to you as a student and/or future teacher/educator? As a student, belief, attitude, and value informs, guide, and facilitate learning in a multicultural classroom. Consequently, teachers and educators must observe cultural diversity using these words to ensure fairness, space, and safety. Thus, power relation in a multicultural environment influences student’s beliefs, attitude, and values. Teacher’s behaviors and assertive dominance influence class resistance, silence, and inactivity (Ahlquist, 1999). Is multicultural education a sour ce of freedom or oppression? Why? Teacher’s belief in a multicultural classroom affects student’s attitude and perception. Afro-American teachers stimulate resistance among the students using power and agency. As a result, some students become uncomfortable with the teachers assertive dominance. Class dynamics in influenced by power and resistance. For example, if white students dominate the class population in a multicultural classroom, black students will enforce resistance towards with privileges. However, African-American teachers stimulate class resistance among white students. The form of resistance includes silence, inactivity, and withdrawal. Multicultural education can be used to express freedom and oppression. African American teachers engage students in a multicultural classroom to reveal their experiences. However, it stimulates individual difference towards historical facts. White teacher can oppress black students by explaining slavery and black migration . Consequently, African American teachers may be liberated with multicultural education. Power relation in a multicultural environment facilitates direction, educational change, and individual character. To evaluate student’s concepts in an ideal environment, teacher’s dominance must reflect his or her belief system. Consequently, students and teachers are victims of socialization, which require consideration. Teachers must accommodate student’s resistance to ensure coherent communication in a multicultural classroom (Ahlquist, 1999). African-American teachers must balance ignorance or agreement with resistance and silence. Teacher’s experience facilitates the multicultural development and transformation of students. Teachers are agents of change and are responsible for the student’s development and understanding in a multicultural environment. Reference Ahlquist, R. (1999). Position and imposition: Power relations in a multicultural foundations cl ass. The Journal of Negro Education, 60(2), 158-169.