The West Coast Premier - "Then Sings My Soul"
Proceeds to Benefit Opera Noir's Educational Outreach ProgramsJ. Rosalynn Smith-Clark, nationally recognized and highly acclaimed Classical Soprano, will grace the stage on February 3, 2012 at Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Oakland, CA in a staged concert performance of "Then Sings My Soul". This riveting “site-specific” concert performance explores the role of faith and music in the African American Journey towards Social Justice. "About Then Sings My Soul" The performance, much like the evolution of the African American worship experience, combines the haunting melodies of Negro Spirituals, the simplistic beauty of Traditional European Hymns and Anthems, the provocative and soul stirring strains of Gospel Music, as well as movements from Duke Ellington’s “SacredConcert”.
Tickets can be purchased at www.operanoir.org.
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President's Corner
Why the Gaps Persist: Part V
Most of you are probably reading this after the Christmas break. I hope you enjoyed
the holiday season with family and friends. I did! Even though I was able to take some time off, the educational crisis facing black and brown students in CA and across the nation was never far from my thoughts.
For those of you reading this newsletter for the first time, I have used this column to discuss those barriers that often stand in the way of educating black and brown students at levels of excellence.
I have been using Dr. Geneva Gay's seminal book entitled Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice to explain what I believe is a major factor contributing to the on-going gaps between black and brown students and their white and
Asian peers.
Why the Gaps Persist: Part V
Visit the newsletter archives page to download the last four issues of this newsletter or purchase Dr. Gay's book to read all of the reasons she gives.
The fourth reason is individualism and compartmentalization. Dr. Gay writes, "Many
educators genuinely believe it is only the individual, not his or her race, ethnicity, culture,
or gender, that counts in the learning process...Individuals cannot be separated from the
contexts of their lives (invariably some form of groupness) if their human integrity is to be honored and their achievement potential maximized. Culture in education does count in critical ways for both teaching and learning. Educational fractionalization is exarcerbated for students of color who take to school cultural heritages, experiences,
needs, and capabilities that frequently are not recognized and rewarded by
schools."
1. Are you guilty of this practice?
2. If it is present in your sphere or influence, how can you combat it?
