After reading the article, I identified with the white students—not that I wanted a group just to make a group. Not in that I wanted to wear a “white power” t-shirt just to show that I was proud of being white, but because I don’t feel I identify with being a part of a group in this country. For example, I don't celebrate President's Day, but our country does. Does that make it "my" day just because its a USA holiday? or because all of our President's are white? I think I would have been envious of the minority forming social group because I want to belong to a group and have rituals that I can identify with. But can you imagine if a "white" group formed on a campus? Maybe a "German" group or a "Russian" group. But my families have been here so long that I don't even know WHAT I am? So what does that make me? white trash group? I want to be proud of my roots, but I don’t really know what they are and don’t have the opportunity to celebrate them here.
I think to help students feel like they belong—they need to recognize what patterns and traditions/rituals are in their own family and then celebrate those—keep the traditions (that are good/healthy).
Also, its beneficial for teachers to expose the myths of ethnic groups—reveal the truths and develop a diversity based curriculum. Antiracist and diversity topics are crucial to include in curriculum while being supportive to students who are dealing with these issues.
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