Real American Poetry

The article by Walcott has certainly got me thinking alot about the usefulness of bringing RAP into the classroom. As music educators we must be aware of how our previous held notions, ideas, and conceptualizations impact the structure we create for our students. Often times we as teachers confine ourselves into boxes. Such boxes represent our comfort, knowledge, values, ideals, and previous experiences. To many teachers remain within their box that inevitably entraps them in a conservative mindset. Consequently, we not only force our culture onto the diverse cultural representation that manifests itself in our classrooms. This week at my practicum sitet I witnessed critical pedagogy alive within the classroom. As a members of the community we challenged our previous experiences, notions, and concepts. Through the tension we began a lifelong journey to rediscover and define the nature of music, performance, and creation.

At the begining of the year my co op indentified the students who she considers to be disruptive and disengaged. The week before I started my lesson I noticed that one the the "trouble makers" was trying to express himself musically and creatively. Unfortunately, his ideas were pushed aside and the teacher continued with her lesson. As a result of the teacher imposed silence, the student began to disrupt the lesson. Instead of opening to classroom and allowing him to share his musical idea she stripped him of his drum and proceeded to silence him completely.

On monday this particular boy became fully engaged in the lesson due to the progressive structure that governed the community. All voices were free to sound and for once in their academic career they were asked what music is theirs? what is music? Who makes music? why does it occur? Every student in the class had something to contribute, share, and communicate to the community. During the time we set aside for sharing, this "troubled" boy share a deep and profound statement. "Music is culture expressed through sound" he later explained that all to often people try to force their culture and music onto other people as if it is better than theirs. I pondered about this occurance and realized that this experienced reaffirmed by commitment to CP and a liberatory education.