In Pen Portraits, Angela mentioned that, when encountering students’ references to cultural and religious practices that she is not familiar with, Angela responded by researching on the subject matters herself, so she could have an in-depth discussion with her students. This is a really good point. I would make sure I do so as well.
In Travelling Culture, Steve stated that the overall philosophy of his course- BA Media and Cultural Studies is ‘Nothing is off limits, but you must be critical in your approach’.
This is really good. Even provocative subjects should be discussed.
Recent news has shown that, in Channel 5, g Mickey Rooney’s yellow face role, Mr. I.Y. Yunioshi (problematic portrayal of Asian) has been cut out form Tiffany’s. I don’t agree. Show them. Expose them. Discuss them. Teach about them.1 Even Naziism and other oppressions against Jew should be talked about. Censorship is not the way to go.
Especially in higher education, students and teachers should be encouraged to talk about sensitive issues and be critical about them. The students would then be able to understand their own identity with a bigger context.
Steve also mentioned that he would at times discuss his humanist beliefs with his students. I fully agree. If teachers could talk about their own identities and demonstrate how they see their own identity in a critical way. The identities of the teachers are a core component in education.
1Monji, J., 2022. Yellow face removed from Breakfast from Tiffany’s. [online] Available at: <https://asamnews.com/2022/02/24/yellow-face-blackface-controversy-mickey-rooney-censorship/?fbclid=IwAR3F6hVmnatFVh9bUgJiKfzGaAyrSzVy2DmlWATSkTZf3qzk1iAQOY65ECw> [Accessed 22 May 2022].