Start Seeing Diversity: Creating Art

Throughout my time at Walden I have learned a lot about diversity.  The past few weeks of my most recent course has taught me a lot more about my response to diversity and how I can make changes in my own life and contribute to anti-bias work. 

My favorite type of art is music.  I love to listen to songs and analyze the words!  There are so many songs that come to mind when considering children and the many influences they face on a daily basis.  I've compiled some of my favorite songs to share with you this week regarding several different topics as listed below.  You can click on the song title to open a new link.  The link will take you to a music video (if I found a suitable one) or the lyrics.

"Imagine" - John Lennon
Seriously, do it... imagine all these things he suggests.  It's crazy and amazing to consider!  I love the last lines, "You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will live as one".  It's my wish especially as I think of all the children impacted by influences of "isms" and abuse.

"How Many Miles Must We March" - Ben Harper
This one reminds me a lot of the cycles we've looked at.  They're endless unless we do something about it!!!

"Oh My God" - Jars of Clay
We're all the same when you put superficial differences aside.  I like the phrase, "If the world was how it should be, maybe I could get some sleep".  Do you feel like that?  Sometimes as I consider all that goes on, especially to innocent children, it does leave me with some sleepless nights.  

"Does Anybody See Her" - Casting Crowns
This song isn't a favorite but it does remind me of all those kids who search for love and affection in many different - and often wrong - ways or places.... all because they didn't get it at home.  We, as educators, can help these kids to find what they are missing or looking for in a better place and in a better way.

"Broken Girl" - Matthew West
The words say it all... it's a scenario of a child who is made to grow up too fast.  The abused... the trauma they face.

"The Little Girl" - John Michael Montgomery
Another song for the abused.

"He" - Jars of Clay
And yet another.

"Excuse Me Mister" - Ben Harper
"...and I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much".  I feel as if I've seen too much of the effects of isms and tragedy on people but I haven't even seen half of what even some of my colleagues have. And others have seen even more or been directly effected by a variety of evils that bias, trauma, and abuse can cause.  I like how this song addresses the "Mr"s of the world.


I have the quote that I will end with hanging in my classroom.  It can apply to all aspects of life - the ones we've been dealing with throughout this course as well as others.  It's a good reminder for anyone in any profession.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

-Edmund Burke