Culture Clash

I was teaching my language arts methods class this afternoon at the Dallas campus. (Main campus is in Denton.) Twenty-four students are in the class: 21 are Hispanic, 3 are African American. Just a bit of background. Anyway, so as I was teaching and talking about writers workshop I would say things like, "So when Johnny . . . ." Johnny is my fictitious student when I teach. He's been mentioned hundreds of times over the various semesters. And never has his name elicited this response . . . laughter. By a group of four students. Each time I mention his name.

So, I finally ask, "What's so funny about Johnny?" More laughter. Ok then. One girl finally says, "Or Juan or Pedro?"

I got it. I'm using a "white" name talking to Hispanic teachers and to future teachers of predominantly Hispanic students. Eye roll.

I will tell you that I have tried to change the ethnicity of my fictitious student. But he always ends up being Johnny. Am I pro guy? Nope. Sally comes to visit occasionally. So am I pro white? Not that either.

You see, my culture uses Johnny to represent some unknown person. There's Johnny-on-the-spot, When Johnny comes marching home. Even national reports that feature Johnny telling us "Why Johnny can't read."

So while I respect and encourage my students to be proud of their cultural heritage, and while I am very cognizant of not marginalizing my students' culture when I teach, I will not give up my own culture in the process.

So when these students teach, they can use Pedro or Juan or whomever they wish. But while I'm teaching . . . Johnny will be the one to visit.

Viva la understanding one another and allowing ALL cultures a chance to flourish!