The Journal of Pedagogy, Pluralism&Practice

A Publication of Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Issue 11: Fall 2006

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Introduction

Back Issues

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Editorial Board

Table of Contents

Editor's Note

Introduction

Articles and Artwork

Aziza Braithwaite Bey

The Role of Women in Kemet, Dogon, Mayan and Tsalagi Societies

A comparative analysis of the role of women in Kemet, Dogon, Tsalagi, and Mayan cultures reveals similarities between the cultures. The Tsalagi and the Dogon are matrilineal societies. Women are culture bearers, who pass the history, religion, ritual, and ceremony to their children and grandchildren. Each culture had prominent female deities and Mayan women, for example, could achieve their highest potential by emulating Mayan goddesses. Similarly, West African women were priestesses, medicine women and healers, who played (and continue to play) an essential role in sustaining balance and harmony in their communities.

Constance Del Nero

Two Poems

Joanne Kilgour Dowdy and Sunny Marie Birney

The Journey of Economic Literacy & Self Sufficiency

The Journey of Economic Literacy & Self Sufficiency is a narrative project illuminating the historical legacy of entrepreneurship, self-employment and the collective economics within the Black community, particularly in the lives of women of African descent in the diaspora (i.e. in the United States and the Caribbean). Implementing an Afrocentric and Womanist contextual lens, this study had as its purpose 1) documenting the journeys of specific independent business women, 2) uncovering the literacy skills they employed and implemented, and 3) describing the support networks they relied upon personally and professionally. The qualitative data collection methods utilized in this project were informed by Seidman (1995) and Lincoln and Guba (1985).

Pablo Navarro-Rivera

The ACLU and Civil Liberties in Puerto Rico

The April 1948 University of Puerto Rico student strike was a definitive event in 20th-century Puerto Rico, as well as a momentous event in the evolution of a university founded by the United States 45 years earlier, five years after wresting the island from Spain in 1898. In addition to student arrests, “preventive” suspensions, the firing of professors, and other government actions, the university administration prohibited political activities at the university at this time. The administration also initiated a series of measures that culminated with the complete elimination of student involvement in university governance at the University of Puerto Rico and the dismantling of the Student Council.

Jesús Nieto and Suzanne Valery

Creating a Sense of Community in the Classroom

Current national influences on education such as ever-increasing cultural diversity of students, high-stakes testing and national debates regarding immigration policy present unique challenges and opportunities for higher education faculty and students. It is critical that both students and faculty be able to shape and participate in educational structures and activities that emphasize cooperation rather than competition and promote holistic learning. Additionally, an influx of first-generation students means that some incoming students are not well versed in the workings of higher education environments. Pedagogies such as learning communities and cohort models help address these concerns. An example of an ideal learning community is presented, along with strategies for creating a stronger sense of community in any classroom.

Karl Jean Petion

Six Images

“Take a closer look. Really zoom in and examine the lacy tendrils of color that form each of the compositions in this richly-colored collection of Jean Petion, a Haitian-born artist. Upon examining the connected pattern of concentric circles and the curly, whimsically styled lines, it might be easy to imagine other such lighthearted work by the same artist. Take a closer look, however, and it becomes clear that Petion’s message is as strong as his brilliantly colored palette. Every line in “Poeme a Erzulie” forms a letter; the letters connect to form words. A cleverly obscured story lives within Petion’s world of color and texture.”

Atina Andrea White

Builders of a Racial Bridge: Biracial College Students

This study addresses issues surrounding Black/White biracial students in a multiracial student run organization at a diverse liberal arts college in Massachusetts. The impact of the United States race history on biracial individuals is presented. The insights of the biracial individuals are reported along with suggestions for constructively addressing concerns of multiracial students.

Home

Introduction

Back Issues

Submit to the Journal

Editorial Board


A Publication of Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
	Issue 11: Fall 2006

Home Introduction Back Issues Submit to the Journal Editorial Board

	Table of Contents





	Editor's Note
	Introduction

	Articles and Artwork

	Aziza Braithwaite Bey
	The Role of Women in Kemet, Dogon, Mayan and Tsalagi Societies
	A comparative analysis of the role of women in Kemet, Dogon, Tsalagi, and Mayan cultures reveals similarities between the cultures. The Tsalagi and the Dogon are matrilineal societies. Women are culture bearers, who pass the history, religion, ritual, and ceremony to their children and grandchildren. Each culture had prominent female deities and Mayan women, for example, could achieve their highest potential by emulating Mayan goddesses. Similarly, West African women were priestesses, medicine women and healers, who played (and continue to play) an essential role in sustaining balance and harmony in their communities.

	Constance Del Nero
	Two Poems

	Joanne Kilgour Dowdy and Sunny Marie Birney
	The Journey of Economic Literacy & Self Sufficiency
	The Journey of Economic Literacy & Self Sufficiency is a narrative project illuminating the historical legacy of entrepreneurship, self-employment and the collective economics within the Black community, particularly in the lives of women of African descent in the diaspora (i.e. in the United States and the Caribbean). Implementing an Afrocentric and Womanist contextual lens, this study had as its purpose 1) documenting the journeys of specific independent business women, 2) uncovering the literacy skills they employed and implemented, and 3) describing the support networks they relied upon personally and professionally. The qualitative data collection methods utilized in this project were informed by Seidman (1995) and Lincoln and Guba (1985).

	Pablo Navarro-Rivera
	The ACLU and Civil Liberties in Puerto Rico
	The April 1948 University of Puerto Rico student strike was a definitive event in 20th-century Puerto Rico, as well as a momentous event in the evolution of a university founded by the United States 45 years earlier, five years after wresting the island from Spain in 1898. In addition to student arrests, “preventive” suspensions, the firing of professors, and other government actions, the university administration prohibited political activities at the university at this time. The administration also initiated a series of measures that culminated with the complete elimination of student involvement in university governance at the University of Puerto Rico and the dismantling of the Student Council.

	Jesús Nieto and Suzanne Valery
	Creating a Sense of Community in the Classroom
	Current national influences on education such as ever-increasing cultural diversity of students, high-stakes testing and national debates regarding immigration policy present unique challenges and opportunities for higher education faculty and students. It is critical that both students and faculty be able to shape and participate in educational structures and activities that emphasize cooperation rather than competition and promote holistic learning. Additionally, an influx of first-generation students means that some incoming students are not well versed in the workings of higher education environments. Pedagogies such as learning communities and cohort models help address these concerns. An example of an ideal learning community is presented, along with strategies for creating a stronger sense of community in any classroom.

	Karl Jean Petion
	Six Images
	“Take a closer look. Really zoom in and examine the lacy tendrils of color that form each of the compositions in this richly-colored collection of Jean Petion, a Haitian-born artist. Upon examining the connected pattern of concentric circles and the curly, whimsically styled lines, it might be easy to imagine other such lighthearted work by the same artist. Take a closer look, however, and it becomes clear that Petion’s message is as strong as his brilliantly colored palette. Every line in “Poeme a Erzulie” forms a letter; the letters connect to form words. A cleverly obscured story lives within Petion’s world of color and texture.”

	Atina Andrea White
	Builders of a Racial Bridge: Biracial College Students
	This study addresses issues surrounding Black/White biracial students in a multiracial student run organization at a diverse liberal arts college in Massachusetts. The impact of the United States race history on biracial individuals is presented. The insights of the biracial individuals are reported along with suggestions for constructively addressing concerns of multiracial students.



Home Introduction Back Issues Submit to the Journal Editorial Board

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