Alyssa+T

The Devil In Deryl Dedmon By: Tony Dokoupil

The Devil in Deryl Dedmom is a story about how a hate-crime in the town of Brandon, Mississippi. This town had been known as "racist" in the past, so this story just went along with it. Deryl Dedmon was accused of murdering a black man for his skin color. This article talks a lot about the history of the town, which has been known for the KKK, "a white-supermacist hotbed." While this was no surprise to some, others are in shock. Deryl Dedmon used the occasional slang "nigger" but all in all had many black friends, so many people wonder what actually happened. According to fellow friends, there was a party in the woods which involved a lot of drinking and some drugs. After a while Dedmon and a couple of his friends took off to look for something else to do, this is where they found James Anderson walking the street. After taunting for some time, Dedmon and his friend began beating, Anderson, the victim. When they were done beating him, the boys returned to his car, where Dedmon ran over Anderson, also attempting to leave (all of which was caught on a security camera). Deryl Dedmon was charged with two life sentences for murder and a hate crime.

This article relates to the class because this is the kind of thing we are trying to change. We believe that everyone is equal and derserves equal respect. A lot of us don't realize that we follow many stereotypes but its something we do and something that needs to be changed. This class has helped me learn that, and help me think of ways that it can be done. Hearing about the Dedmon article, really upset me because I have a nephew who is half-white, half-black and the fact that these "hate crimes" still exsist terrifies me.

I would probably not use this article in my classroom, just because its inappropriate for my grade level, but I will definitely discuss similar, more child-friendly topics directly related to this. I think this article would be more useful in a high school, because drinking, and partying are things that some of these kids are beginning to experience so its good to talk to them about the dangers. I believe that alcohol played a huge part of why James Anderson got killed, so teaching kids first of all to respect everyone and treat everyone the same, and teaching them the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, will greatly effect our goal to stop the hate.

Tony Dokoupil,. The devil in Deryl Dedmon. //Newsweek//. , pp.34-39



Education for Diversity Text Talk February 14, 2012

“The Skin I’m In” is a very touching story about a 7th grade African American girl named, Maleeka. Maleeka gets bullied every day at school for being “too dark.” She used to be proud of her skin color because it connected her to her father, but when her father passed away things changed. Because she is having such a hard, she takes up a friendship with Char, who is heading in the wrong direction fast. Luckily for Maleeka a new teacher arrives, Miss Saunders, who also gets made fun of because she has a huge dark birthmark on her face. To avoid being bullied Maleeka remains friends with Char who talks her into doing something horrible to Miss Saunders’s room. Maleeka eventually sticks up for herself and becomes friends with her teacher.

Initially I thought this book was directed toward African American children and being placed in diverse communities but as I kept reading I decided that it is geared toward anyone who looks different and has ever been bullied. Reading this book helped me understand that everyone is different in some way but different or not everyone still deserves to be treated the same way. It also helps me understand that I have to give everyone an equal opportunity and understand that not every student will have the same home life.

This book taught me that everyone needs a little extra attention. Not everyone has the great home life that I had so it teaches me that I should not judge but offer my attention to these special kids. Now I understand that every student will be different, but different or not they all need to be treated the same. This text was extremely relevant to my teaching practice. As a Special Education teacher, I know that every student is going to be different in some way. I also understand that they all need the same attention but just in different ways.

I definitely recommend this book to others. It opens you up to a new cultural experience and helps you understand how people want to be treated. Depending on what grade I teach, I would definitely use this book with my students.

The Devil In Deryl Dedmon By: Tony Dokoupil

The Devil in Deryl Dedmom is a story about how a hate-crime in the town of Brandon, Mississippi. This town had been known as "racist" in the past, so this story just went along with it. Deryl Dedmon was accused of murdering a black man for his skin color. This article talks a lot about the history of the town, which has been known for the KKK, "a white-supermacist hotbed." While this was no surprise to some, others are in shock. Deryl Dedmon used the occasional slang "nigger" but all in all had many black friends, so many people wonder what actually happened. According to fellow friends, there was a party in the woods which involved a lot of drinking and some drugs. After a while Dedmon and a couple of his friends took off to look for something else to do, this is where they found James Anderson walking the street. After taunting for some time, Dedmon and his friend began beating, Anderson, the victim. When they were done beating him, the boys returned to his car, where Dedmon ran over Anderson, also attempting to leave (all of which was caught on a security camera). Deryl Dedmon was charged with two life sentences for murder and a hate crime.

This article relates to the class because this is the kind of thing we are trying to change. We believe that everyone is equal and derserves equal respect. A lot of us don't realize that we follow many stereotypes but its something we do and something that needs to be changed. This class has helped me learn that, and help me think of ways that it can be done. Hearing about the Dedmon article, really upset me because I have a nephew who is half-white, half-black and the fact that these "hate crimes" still exsist terrifies me.

I would probably not use this article in my classroom, just because its inappropriate for my grade level, but I will definitely discuss similar, more child-friendly topics directly related to this. I think this article would be more useful in a high school, because drinking, and partying are things that some of these kids are beginning to experience so its good to talk to them about the dangers. I believe that alcohol played a huge part of why James Anderson got killed, so teaching kids first of all to respect everyone and treat everyone the same, and teaching them the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, will greatly effect our goal to stop the hate.

Tony Dokoupil,. The devil in Deryl Dedmon. //Newsweek//. , pp.34-39