Subtractive Schooling

McCarthy maintains a hypothesis that separation among minorities derives from the needs, interests, desires, and identities. I believe that even though McCarthy expresses identities as one of the reasons that separate minorities from one another including the majority (whites), it is truly one of the most important factors. We are all products of our parents, and their parents, and their parent's cultural ways. They are instilled in us throughout time and manifest in the way we think, view the world, learn, and educate.

However in the U.S., it's diversity in culture is a blend of conformity and stereotypical views of Mexicans that is greatly affecting the youth. It affects the way they learn; view the world, and their immediate community. It is the expectations of others that often disrupt the educational process among minority lives as well.

The tension is loosened by the term "Mexican-American" or "Mexicanidad" among the youth to form a tolerance or give acceptance to Mexican immigrants and first generation Mexicans in the United States. Diversity is a must and must be instilled with sensitivity, understanding, the ability to allow one to have their own identity, and the patience to teach it.

I think it helped the students learn and listen to others in the class regarding their race and language. The teacher allowed the conversation to continue and communication was opened for the students. Lack of understanding brings fear and with fear you will not understand. I believe talking with each other helped the students try to understand differences at an informal level.

Also, the school is to implement "tracking". I think this could help be aware of the progress students are making on a more personal level, not just with report cards.

Regarding the "Asset Checklist", I think Spanish-speaking students at Seguin could check off maybe half of the assets from the list. The only checked ones had to do with family and some possibly regarding themselves. The school did nothing to assist the learning process. It seemed to make everything more difficult and set students up for failure. They did not want to compromise.

There should be programs set up to help assist with tolerance and difference issues. The only program I am aware of is one that takes places once a year and students who are on the honor roll or recommended to attend by their teachers or principals participate. The students spend a day with many other students from other backgrounds and schools and learn about racism, sexism,