Chapter 3

Chapter 3 is entitled "Decoding the Dominance Paradigm" and takes a look at white dominance and more of the specifics and science of this dominance. Howard goes through a couple examples to explain this dominance, namely the assumption of rightness that many white people follow and have followed in the past and where this ideology has come from. Howard uses quite a few historical examples from colonization to industrialization to explain his thoughts on this topic. He also writes quite a bit about the role of Christianity in this process and how Christianity has been used through the ages to keep up white dominance and keep other ethnic groups in lower places in society. Howard also makes sure to mention privilege and ignorance, two facts of white culture which he writes are very prevalent in common culture and has been common in the white culture for the most part. These art that white's receive privileges that they had no idea they were receiving and also the fact that many whites basically just ignore other cultures and think that their culture is the only correct culture.

Another main point of Howard's is that people in the dominant culture decide not to learn more about other cultures, but instead decide that their own culture is the only culture and they do not need to learn about other cultures or other nations. Howard points out that this is the main point with a lot of the ignorance and disapproval that comes when the dominant culture is exposed to other cultures. Howard believes that the dominant culture believes that everyone should assimilate to their culture and not keep living in their own cultures.

I agree and disagree with Howard throughout this chapter. In many of his points I agree to a certain extent, but also disagree to a certain extent. For example, I do agree that many people are ignorant of other cultures a lot of the time, instead preferring to only live in their own culture and stay to what they know. I think that all parties involved would definitely benefit simply by learning about other cultures and learning about people who live differently than themselves. The world is a beautiful place full of all kinds of individuals who live in different and interesting ways and all people can benefit from learning from one another. Because we live in such a diverse country the people around us are resources in that we can easily learn about a multitude of other cultures just by interacting with those who live around us. This is also very true about education and the modern classroom. The modern classroom likely will have students from a patchwork of cultures all included in one class. Because of this, the teacher has the great opportunity to learn from students and for students to work together and learn together and learn from one another's cultures.

What I disagree with is the generalizations that Howard makes about White culture and white educators in general. After reading this chapter I definitely agree with points, but the way that Howard writes and thinks really leaves a bitter taste in mouth. This is firstly because of the way that he speaks with disdain about Christianity. I believe that Jesus is the one true and only Way. Howard throws down this belief and writes about how it is ignorant and mean to other cultures. He also thinks the evangelical side of Christianity is horrible because it forces beliefs on others. As someone who grew up in the church I thought Howard would understand more about Christianity but this is evidently not the case. Christians are called to spread Christ's love through the world and with our brothers and sisters of different faiths and cultures. This does not mean that we hate other cultures and religions, but instead that we want to share Christ's love with them while still valuing their cultures and their beliefs. We do believe that Christ is the only way, but that does not mean that we think we are superior to others or think that other cultures are evil. Also I think that Howard generalizes the White culture in general, writing that white people have thrown their culture into the melting pot and lost their connections to their history. This is simply not true, many White people also have beautiful cultures and enjoy looking back at where their families came from and where their beliefs came from. Howard writes some good points, but generalizes way too much and is very extreme in his views of White culture as well as Christianity.