Prompt 4 theorist: Delpit

When I went to elementary school there was almost no diversity. Everyone including teachers were middle class and white. I believe I was one of the few students who got reduced lunch until 3rd grade. My mom was going to school still and couldn't afford the things other kids in our school could. My mom was also one of the only single parents. I felt like I was one of the only students who was getting free lunches and had a single parent. So going into this classroom I felt like my personnel history could relate to the students now. Not only does my past elementary background relate to them but also my family now relates to these kids. My family consists of many different minorities. My seven younger brothers and sisters were all adopted from foster care. So I can see how the type of family background these kids are coming from. They are all relieving reduced lunch like I was and they also are coming from poverty. I did not have the extreme poverty they had but my family was not as well off as the other students in my school. I think I would have many advantages to teaching in a classroom like this. I can see where these students and parents are coming from and also be able to hopefully help them. I can picture myself teaching in a low income school when I graduate. I would love to help these students and let them know I can relate to the same issues they are going through. I was a little surprised that there was not one white student in these classrooms. I thought there would be at least a few. I know most white students are considered middle class but the fact that there was not one in this classroom still shocked me.
This classroom proves Delpit's theories of power to be correct. Delpit's five theories state:

• that there are issues of power in classrooms
• there are codes or rules for participating in power
• the rules of the culture of power are ta reflection of the rules of the culture of those who have power
• if you are not already a participant in the culture of power being told the rules will make it easier to acquire power
• those with power are least likely to realize it or acknowledge it; those without power are most aware of its existence

These codes of power are existing in the classroom. The students and teachers realize it exists because they can see it in different schools. Some of the public school get new material every year and have new computers and equipment where these students do not get any. If their parents grew up knowing the codes of power they might not have been in this poverty stricken neighborhood.