My blog entry to my class for the week: I felt as though there was a lot of synchronicity surrounding our class this past week. For example, in trying to come up with ways to approach the topic of stereotypes, I am acutely aware of the power of these labels, these words and images that are associated with this important topic. While many in the class can easily brush these things aside, I do recognize that some cannot. Stereotyping hurts. I don’t say this theoretically, but as someone who has at different times in my life has had to endure hurtful assumptions made about me, my family, or with cultural groups that I identified with. Until I found my “voice”, I let it slide, but it was hurtful. During those times, I never sought to actively challenge what was being said, that is, challenge folks on their most wrong of assumptions. Whoever came up with the adage “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” lied to us. These cognitive shortcuts hurt, they wo...
Living La Vida Loca East of Eden