Stereotypes & Lenses
Unfair - A Project
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Some Semester Terminology
This section has a specific connection. All of these terms have a definition of their own, but I will be showing the relation they have to Homegoing, a novel I read this semester.
Critical Race Theory:
Psychoanalysis:
Post-colonialism: Post-colonialism relates to Homegoing in many ways. One of which being white European men entering the small villages of Africa and influencing/manipulating everything from religious beliefs to educational practices.
Queer Theory: In Homegoing women have unequal roles in daily life when compared to men. The decisions of everyday things are left up to the men while women have three expectations: cook. clean, and have children. Is this fair? Not in any manner.
Feminism: Almost every women in this novel is looked down upon. They're below men and controlled by them. Without a husband a women is deemed an outcast and her life will have significantly less opportunity. When is the world not against them?
Reader Response: This is the same 'prompt' I wrote my Critical Lens Essay on, so refer to that for a more detailed insight.
Critical Race Theory:
Psychoanalysis:
Post-colonialism: Post-colonialism relates to Homegoing in many ways. One of which being white European men entering the small villages of Africa and influencing/manipulating everything from religious beliefs to educational practices.
Queer Theory: In Homegoing women have unequal roles in daily life when compared to men. The decisions of everyday things are left up to the men while women have three expectations: cook. clean, and have children. Is this fair? Not in any manner.
Feminism: Almost every women in this novel is looked down upon. They're below men and controlled by them. Without a husband a women is deemed an outcast and her life will have significantly less opportunity. When is the world not against them?
Reader Response: This is the same 'prompt' I wrote my Critical Lens Essay on, so refer to that for a more detailed insight.
Readings & Socratic Seminars
James Baldwin
Gloria Anzaldua
Chimamanda Adiche’s TED Talk
Equity Mantra
The Stories of People on Race
This is a list of the readings and/or socratic seminars we've done throughout the semester. Allow me to explain.
Each of these informational pieces held something individual, but in addition they all contained some connection to each other. (Funny how that works, huh?) Each one explained and drew a picture of how our individual experiences create a lens that we look at the world through. Interesting stuff. My experiences manipulate and affect how I perceive a situation; you may get something completely different out of the same experience.
All of the works listed above made this idea tangible, more clear, and provided a myriad of layers to deepen our understanding of 'lensology'.
Gloria Anzaldua
Chimamanda Adiche’s TED Talk
Equity Mantra
The Stories of People on Race
This is a list of the readings and/or socratic seminars we've done throughout the semester. Allow me to explain.
Each of these informational pieces held something individual, but in addition they all contained some connection to each other. (Funny how that works, huh?) Each one explained and drew a picture of how our individual experiences create a lens that we look at the world through. Interesting stuff. My experiences manipulate and affect how I perceive a situation; you may get something completely different out of the same experience.
All of the works listed above made this idea tangible, more clear, and provided a myriad of layers to deepen our understanding of 'lensology'.
Serial - Season 1// A Podcast About A Murder in 1999 Baltimore
WARNING: If you listen to episode 01 of Serial you WILL be hooked
This podcast is describing a real occurrence.
Guilt vs. Innocence and the American Justice System
In this podcast a teenager named Adnan is convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae. Fast forwarding; the podcast explains the faults of the state's case against him. The inconsistencies, timelines, logic, etc. Through this we are able to make our own decision on whether or not Adnan is guilty.
Storytelling - who tells a story, when does someone else’s story BECOME the storytellers?
There's a saying that goes something like, "If someone tells another person something enough times, they'll believe it to be true". I believe the same applies to detectives investigating a case. After going over detail after detail many-a-times, the story becomes convoluted, almost like your mind is manipulating it. At this point in the narrators investigation I can see this happening. We must ask ourselves, is the podcast a replay of Adnan's case or the narrator stitching in her perspective?
This podcast is describing a real occurrence.
Guilt vs. Innocence and the American Justice System
In this podcast a teenager named Adnan is convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae. Fast forwarding; the podcast explains the faults of the state's case against him. The inconsistencies, timelines, logic, etc. Through this we are able to make our own decision on whether or not Adnan is guilty.
Storytelling - who tells a story, when does someone else’s story BECOME the storytellers?
There's a saying that goes something like, "If someone tells another person something enough times, they'll believe it to be true". I believe the same applies to detectives investigating a case. After going over detail after detail many-a-times, the story becomes convoluted, almost like your mind is manipulating it. At this point in the narrators investigation I can see this happening. We must ask ourselves, is the podcast a replay of Adnan's case or the narrator stitching in her perspective?
- Deciding what to believe? Why we believe?
Lastly there's the aspect of our listening to this recording. Throughout all of it, whether the narrator has shared too much or we feel too little, WE have to develop our own opinion. Is part x true? Could that have really happened? As students a skill we must learn is what to believe and what to be skeptical of. This podcast presents an incredible opportunity to do so.
In conclusion, how much do our individual lenses taint the reality of any given situation?
"Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi
What is this story about?
From my perspective this story is about generational compounding. The work of a family line over multiple generations ultimately leading to the "success" of their people. Each generation working hard in an attempt to make the next's life better. This tale is an incredible story of resilience, love, and what it means to be human.
What literary devices does the author use in his/her writing?
Literary devices used in Yaa Gyasi's writing include foreshadowing, metaphors, similes, personification, and the best of all: storytelling.
What skills of close reading did you gain through this reading?
Typically when I read I find it difficult to hold on to details and pick up new ones. This reading enabled me to strengthen that weakness and in turn understand the story (and any story for that matter) better.
What Critical Lens did you read your book club text through and why?
The lens I feel most applies to this book is Reader Response. My reasoning is as follows:
I have a unique situation with this novel. The setting is mostly Africa. For my internship I travelled to Liberia, (scroll up and click "Liberia 2017" for more details) providing me with a rather interesting perspective on this story. By using Reader Response I am able to convey this story in the form I feel is most accurate.
From my perspective this story is about generational compounding. The work of a family line over multiple generations ultimately leading to the "success" of their people. Each generation working hard in an attempt to make the next's life better. This tale is an incredible story of resilience, love, and what it means to be human.
What literary devices does the author use in his/her writing?
Literary devices used in Yaa Gyasi's writing include foreshadowing, metaphors, similes, personification, and the best of all: storytelling.
What skills of close reading did you gain through this reading?
Typically when I read I find it difficult to hold on to details and pick up new ones. This reading enabled me to strengthen that weakness and in turn understand the story (and any story for that matter) better.
What Critical Lens did you read your book club text through and why?
The lens I feel most applies to this book is Reader Response. My reasoning is as follows:
I have a unique situation with this novel. The setting is mostly Africa. For my internship I travelled to Liberia, (scroll up and click "Liberia 2017" for more details) providing me with a rather interesting perspective on this story. By using Reader Response I am able to convey this story in the form I feel is most accurate.