Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Habibi Question
After class today, I realized that I left with out bringing up a question/concern that I had while reading the text. I feel that Liyana's mother's character played into the role of a typical house wife too much, does anyone else feel this way? I know that we didn't know what she did in the United States, but it seemed like she didn't have any protest to moving, and once they did, she fell into the stay at home mom and just accepted everything. Always shopping, always cooking, etc, and we never hear about how she feels about the move. We know how the rest of the family feels, and she is in the same shoes as her children- she is in a strange land, adjusting to a culture that she is not used to. She finally picked up a job, but it was only part time. I am all about women being able to do what they want, but I felt like she was much more of a follower then a leader. She has raised such a strong girl, but I felt like she forgot how to be strong for herself. The book had so many strong women in it, it's just unfortunate that Lyiana's mother wasn't.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Insider or Outsider?
When reading diverse literature, the subject of creditability will always come about. What makes a reliable author? Does it have to be someone who is part of the culture being represented in the book because of his or her religion, race, sex, etc? Or can it just be an individual that has emerged him or her in the topic (whether it be through research, personal experience, etc)?
Personally, I feel that it can be either. The most important factor is the writer know enough about what they are writing so they help break stereotypes, or bias and still provide a story that many can relate to. If someone is not of the culture they have chosen to write about but they have been doing research for years, or earned a college degree in the subject matter, or have any strong interest in the subject matter, then who is to say that they do not know what they are talking about? That being said, I would still want to see more information about a writer who is not of the culture they are writing about then I would an author who is from the culture. This is because anyone can write about anything. There is nothing standing in the way, depicting what topics are appropriate for specific people to write about.
When reading books from authors that are from the culture they are writing about, I would like to see information about them as well as other pieces they have written. If there is someone that would be classified as from the culture, but their life experiences don't represent what they are writing about, I would question using that text. Some of the best diverse readings are going to come from authors from the same culture, while some of the worst can come from them as well.
When talking about how she choose authors for her multicultural book, Violet J. Harris states in her article, "No Invitations Required to Share Multicultural Literature, "I selected the Authors because they are experts in literacy and/or children's literature; they are informed about the groups literature; and they possess the critical consciousness that enabled they to assess the literature in a forthright manner." I feel that this sums up exactly who should be writing the books. It is not an issue of being an insider or an outsider; it is a matter of being an educated individual in the area that you have interest in, and sharing that information with everyone else to the best of your ability.
Personally, I feel that it can be either. The most important factor is the writer know enough about what they are writing so they help break stereotypes, or bias and still provide a story that many can relate to. If someone is not of the culture they have chosen to write about but they have been doing research for years, or earned a college degree in the subject matter, or have any strong interest in the subject matter, then who is to say that they do not know what they are talking about? That being said, I would still want to see more information about a writer who is not of the culture they are writing about then I would an author who is from the culture. This is because anyone can write about anything. There is nothing standing in the way, depicting what topics are appropriate for specific people to write about.
When reading books from authors that are from the culture they are writing about, I would like to see information about them as well as other pieces they have written. If there is someone that would be classified as from the culture, but their life experiences don't represent what they are writing about, I would question using that text. Some of the best diverse readings are going to come from authors from the same culture, while some of the worst can come from them as well.
When talking about how she choose authors for her multicultural book, Violet J. Harris states in her article, "No Invitations Required to Share Multicultural Literature, "I selected the Authors because they are experts in literacy and/or children's literature; they are informed about the groups literature; and they possess the critical consciousness that enabled they to assess the literature in a forthright manner." I feel that this sums up exactly who should be writing the books. It is not an issue of being an insider or an outsider; it is a matter of being an educated individual in the area that you have interest in, and sharing that information with everyone else to the best of your ability.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Hello Folks!
Hey Guys!
My name is Katie, and I am a senior at Michigan State, majoring in Special Education-Learning Disabilities, as well as a concentration in Social Studies- History.
I am really interested in diverse literature because I feel that with history as my concentration area, I haven't had much exposure to literature in the classroom. I feel that 348 as well as this class have been/will be really good exposure to literature, as well as different ways to incorporate it in the classroom. I haven't had a lot of exposure with this area, so I really am planning on using these as "language arts" classes. But I feel that this class will be even more worth while because not only am I working with literature, but I am working with the kind of literature I want to have in my classroom. Also, diverse literature is such a touchy subject for a lot people, and I really enjoy the discussions that can potentially come about.
So, overall I am really excited to get reading and discussing in class! YeAh!
-katie fed
My name is Katie, and I am a senior at Michigan State, majoring in Special Education-Learning Disabilities, as well as a concentration in Social Studies- History.
I am really interested in diverse literature because I feel that with history as my concentration area, I haven't had much exposure to literature in the classroom. I feel that 348 as well as this class have been/will be really good exposure to literature, as well as different ways to incorporate it in the classroom. I haven't had a lot of exposure with this area, so I really am planning on using these as "language arts" classes. But I feel that this class will be even more worth while because not only am I working with literature, but I am working with the kind of literature I want to have in my classroom. Also, diverse literature is such a touchy subject for a lot people, and I really enjoy the discussions that can potentially come about.
So, overall I am really excited to get reading and discussing in class! YeAh!
-katie fed
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)