River of Change

        Gary Howard says that his approach in this book is "to encourage White educators to look deeply into the nature of dominance, to understand as authentically as we can the reality of its tragic impact in the lives of our colleagues and students, and then to struggle and work together to create healing responses on the river of change. (68). This section discussed four healing processes: honesty, empathy, advocacy, and action.

        Honesty. It is important for White educators to be honest within to their insecurities and privilege when dealing with race. After being honest and looking at the influence of dominance paradigm, we will gain credibility with our students and colleagues. Howard also discusses the importance of having a multicultural curriculum. It is through the White students and parents defending the benefit that it is possible to make a multicultural curriculum.
        Empathy. "Empathy is a healing response because it allows us as Whites to step out of dominance, to see our social position in a new light, and connect with the experience of others who see the river of diversity from a different perspective." (73). It is through empathy that we are given the chance to see the world through the stories of others and the cultural differences.
       Advocacy. This ties again to the realities of dominance and the significance we can make on helping those heal when reeducating White students, colleagues, and even family members. He also discusses affirmative action and how it is designed to help those minorities with 'fairness'. Howard challenges with White colleagues to look for a better reason than fairness because there are many more valid reasons. 
      Action. "We are not responsible for having been born White, but we are accountable for how we respond to racism and dominance in our schools and communities today. (78) It takes the action, not just saying "I am not a racist." It is proving it through your actions and your words. Although, it may not have a national impact, it will influence the behavior of our students and the people around us.


       This section opened my eyes to the impact teachers can have on students' views of diversity. I grew up in a South suburb of Chicago. I was exposed to other races quite early in my life. I even had a girl that was mixed as a friend in elementary school. She was the only student in my class that was said to be a minority. I never remember anyone seeing her any different than the rest of us, although she was half white as well. When I entered junior high, the population of minorities grew and I was exposed. It never bothered me and I never felt that they were different than me other than by the skin color. We were still the same age, did the same activities, and even the same homework. However, now attending Trinity Christian College, diversity is not high priority. I feel like it is a White bubble at points, as least in my education classes. I also imagine many of the students on campus have not been exposed to those that look different than them. I do feel fortune to experience those other than me as the world is not a bubble, but made up of all different types of people.