Angela Consonni
Dr. Joyce Stevos
FNED 346
November 28, 2017
The Illusionist
“The ideal consumer is an addict… someone who needs the product”, says speaker Kilbourne in Gender Women’s Studies event, The Illusionist. In our class, Foundations of Education, the first assignment was to talk about how S.C.W.A.M.P relates to our society. S.C.W.A.M.P is an acronym for these key terms; straightness, christianity, whiteness, able-bodiness, maleness, and property ownership. The video I watched at the event, mainly focused on able-bodiness, and how it corresponds with our society today. This video highlighted on the themes of makeup, the weight loss industry, false advertisement and false beauty. Another relation to S.C.W.A.M.P that was brought up, was the power of whiteness. This is the first topic that Kilbourne communicates to the audience.
The Illusionist documentary showcased a number of experts on the subject. Kilbourne, an author and activist was the first speaker. She brought up the dominance of white skin and how men and women of different colors and ethnicity have attempted to change their complexion to look the part of those in power. “It is unattainable”, says Kilbourne. “That’s where you go out and see products that are extremely dangerous because there is no way that you can change the color of your skin that you’re born with. Why don’t we just accept that brown is beautiful; that black is beautiful.
Kilbourne brings up an example of a skin whitening product titled, Fair and Lovely and also a counterpart for men which is named, Fair and Handsome. People believed that these products would help, whether it would lead to a better career, matchmaking, or just appearing as the west say, more “civilized”. Appearing white would improve their superiority. Another example mentioned by Kilbourne, were the L’Oreal makeup commercials. These advertisements have shown that the skin tone of famous singer, Beyoncé, has changed throughout the years to match the standards of beauty at the time.
The second topic of discussion in The Illusionist focused on weight loss, and unreachable goals of the “perfect body”. Harrison Pope, the author of The Adonis Complex was the prime speaker for this issue. Most people who diet, do so in cycles, in the hope of achieving a slim figure, and this is just what Pope talks about in his book. This novel describes a form of obsession, where healthy men become absorbed by compulsive exercising, eating disorders, body-image distortion, and the abuse of steroids. The bar of being attractive in society is difficult and for some, impossible to reach.
Over the years, the size of fashion models has decreased. Even fashion models today are retouched to look even thinner than they are. This idea spreads throughout the globe telling people that photo shop is okay. Kilbourne says, “recently, Ralph Lauren ran an ad where the model had been photo shopped to have an impossible body. Her head was actually bigger than her pelvis.” Pope says, “even for thin models, protruding bones are airbrushed out.” Attempting to reach these standards can lead to dangerous consequences, and according to Dr. Tetsuya Ando from the National Institute of Mental Health, 30% of Japanese women in their twenties are categorized as underweight.
False advertising and beauty standards also leads to the illusory ideas of sex. Gail Dines, author of Pornland, talks about sex and why getting an audience aroused is the most successful form of advertisement. It is in music videos, commercials and in the fashion industry. Dines says, “Would you all agree that the food industry shapes the way you eat? Would you agree that the clothes industry shapes the way you dress? So, would you not say that the sex industry shapes the way we have sex? We cannot make sense of media today without starting with the idea of pornography.” We see women, thin, toned, big breasted, and hairless. Dines continues the discussion bringing up that young boys are first introduced to sex through pornography and come accustomed to the idea of what being “sexy” looks like.
Both young men and women look up to the standards of beauty in their society. Young girls want to look like women, dressing up in heels, makeup and jewelry. Finally, Gail Dines talks about Barbie dolls, and how the commercials make’s young girls wish to be skinny; to be beautiful; to be glamourous. I relate this piece of The Illusionist to one of my favorite blogs of the semester, Critiquing Cartoons and Society. This blog talked about how the minds of young girls playing with Barbie dolls and watching Disney princess movies start to be manipulated. At my third visit at Asa Messer Elementary, I asked many of the students what they wanted to be for Halloween. Almost all of the girls told me that they wanted to be a princess. I asked one of the girls, “why did you choose to be a princess?” She answered, “because I want to look pretty.”
The social justice event was very interesting, and made me think about everything we had learned in class this semester. The issues dealing with false advertisement and beauty were my favorite themes of this course to learn about. I am lucky to have had the chance to see an event on something that had already sparked my interest in the classroom.
Empowering Education
The article Empowering Education by Ira Shor starts on the topic of the role of education in socializing students. He imagines that teachers should encourage students to question their experience in school and broaden their curiosity. What caught my eye on just the second page of the reading was a quote by Piaget. He says, “If the aim of the intellectual training is to form the intelligence rather than to stock the memory, and to produce intellectual explorers rather than mere erudition, then traditional education is manifestly guilty of a grave deficiency.” What I think this means is that education has a one-way street, from the teacher’s mind to the students. The fault that is happening is deficiency of curriculum which is not intriguing children or creating “intellectual explorers”.
There are different types of curriculum that causes children’s minds to either spark, or decrease a drive. There is a curriculum that encourages the students questioning which is related to real life events and their everyday experiences. This makes them act upon from reflection rather than just a memory of facts. A reason why students drop out, withdraw and give up are for a few reasons. Many students do not like the rules or the roles set out for them. I judge that this means there is a lack of freedom in movement and thought. There must be choices for the students.
There must be some sort of relationship between a teacher and a student. Some teachers should realize that children will work best with a positive relationship. There are many keys to reducing bad behavior and lack of effort from students in the class. Although we must teach children to respect and be responsible, it is a team building process between child and adult. It has become a common knowledge to society that adults are the power in the room. I believe that when teaching, it is impossible to learn from someone you feel afraid of; from someone who yells at you; from someone who doesn’t believe in you; and from someone who believes they have all the authority in the room, that it is impossible to voice your own opinions. Not every child will learn the same way, but every child has the drive to learn.
Literacy with an Attitude
I can’t remember learning how to read or write, all I know is that one day, I could just do it. I don’t remember the first word I put together on my own, or the first book I read. In the first page of this reading, the author talks about the two kinds of education where literacy is developed. First being, empowering education, which leads to powerful literacy. Second, domesticating education which leads to functional literacy.
The question of the reading is; how can roles and rules be transformed so that there is greater justice and equity for the poor as there is for the rich? It is sad but true to realize that yes, the children who are rich get a better education than a child who is poor. Even though a child in an upper class may go to a “better school”, (a school with higher academic ratings), why is the education different? Why isn’t the child who is in a lower-class learning the same material as an upper-class child and being challenged too? I believe that civilization has created this system for the money.
We hear it everywhere, but we never really think about it. “I want my son to go to the best school out there and get the best education”. Or “Wow, he went to Harvard”. The “best school out there”, are the expensive schools. The schools where only the upper class can afford a spectacular education. In a perfect world, all schools would be great, children of all social classes would get the same education, and as the author says, “America would have no poor, just rich, richer and richest”.
Becoming Something Different
Esmé Martinez, a young Spanish speaking Latina described herself as “king of smart”, but someone who was becoming something different. Through her educational years of seventh and eighth grade, Esmé experienced academic difficulties, however, she made new friends who supported her through it all.
The author says, “Identity is an achievement of the persons activity, but only within the contexts and events of social interaction. One’s identities are social products drawn from social history, actively internalized, and redrawn as one’s expressions of these identities enter into new circumstances and new activities.” So, is the way that Esmé identified herself because of those in her social surroundings? Yes. Esmé perceives herself by saying “I mean I think I’m kind of a little bit, but not that smart.”
This article proves just how important human connection really is. Studies show the importance of relationships between teachers and students, and how it increases participation, and changes the overall school experience. Not only did the lack of connection change her educational involvement, but the school community was so critical to student’s identities, that her culture was not valued. The English language dominated over Esmé’s pride as a young Latina, which caused her to feel excluded.
This clip is from the movie Lion. In this scene, Saroo, a young boy from India, meets his new parents. He must now learn a new language, and must leave behind his culture. In our society, we do not always see the struggles that one goes through to live in America and fit in. It is difficult to be in a room of many and feel like an outcast and it is heartbreaking to leave behind your culture. Once we as people get used to something, it is not easy to just change. It is not easy to become something different.
The Problem We All Live With
The article, The Problem We All Live with by Nikole Hannah Jones, was on the topic of segregation. There are many people who believe that segregation is a problem solved, but it is still living among society and in school districts.
My elementary school, middle school and high school were predominantly white. I have never been to a school with much minority, and I never thought anything of it. I also live in a small town where the population is white and where the people of the towns surrounding mine are white. In Michael Brown’s case, he graduated from a school in Missouri where the students were mainly black, poor, and the children were failing.
School districts have always been attempting to improve the issue of segregation and the achievement gap. Early college high schools and literacy programs were created to help desegregate schools. “What the statistics show is that between 1971, which is where the nation really started doing massive desegregation, and 1988, which was the peak of integration in the United States.” says Nikole.
In my experience, I was introduced to segregation with a video of Jane Elliot. In this video, Jane performed an experiment where eye color was an advantage or disadvantage with her students. The children with blue eyes got less work and the children with brown got more. This was a secret learning project to introduce segregation to students and how it feels when people are treated differently just because of the color of their skin.
I chose this video because Jane Elliot is a true hero to me. I wish that our future teachers will learn from her, and from this article as well. We know that segregation is happening in school systems, but how can we fix it?
The Power of Community Service: In Service of What?
I honestly used to hate taking the time to do community service. I thought I had so much homework and played too many sports that I did not have time for anything else. What I did not know was that in community service, it is incredible how many people you can meet that have the same interests and aspirations as you do.
I have volunteered at a bereavement camp called Camp Braveheart for about 6 years now. I used to be a camper for this two day program, but now I am a volunteer also involved with coming up with ideas for the camp each summer. This camp is located at other summer camps, where the children are able to do all kinds of activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, and play field games. However, this is not a regular camp. There is a story time where children are able to share about their loved ones who have passed. At a closing ceremony, there are balloon and butterfly releases, which is very powerful to be a part of.
The connections with both children and adults that I have made along the years are some of the most compassionate relationships I have made in my life. I now have lifelong friends and acquaintances to look up to, and who look up to me. The feeling of being a role model is such a great feeling, and is one of the reasons why I am going into Youth Development.
Critiquing Cartoons and Society
Critiquing Cartoons and Society
This article was very intriguing to me, as I grew up watching Disney movies and reading fairytales. However, I never thought of the idea that the genre of children’s media, “manipulated” me. I always knew that the fairytales I read were fiction, and maybe that is because my mother’s tough skin is what made me realize that life is not always going to be easy, or even a dream come true at all. I was not taught that dreams do not come true, but the simple fact that some things in life happen that we have no control over.
My favorite Disney movie of all, is Beauty and the Beast. My favorite part was not about the kiss that broke the spell, or the beauty of Belle’s yellow dress swaying in a large ballroom. What I noticed most, was the love between Belle and her father. As a young girl who grew up without her father, that is what I loved and looked for in any story I read. Of course, I still loved the idea of how beautiful princesses were, but my wish to be one was because of the independence and grit that princess Belle taught me.
I do not critique cartoons in a harsh way at all. I think that it is important to teach children the difference between stories that are fiction and non-fiction. Even teenagers and adults get so drawn into the world of a book or movie, that they wonder what life would be like if they were those characters. I do not agree with this specific article, because it does target many storybooks, like Beauty and the Beast, which is a story that helped me cope during a loss. The article mainly points out the negative aspects of Disney storybooks.
In the article, it is explained, “Only the pretty one’s want a man”, and that is why Ursula is so mean, because she is “ugly” and does not want a man. “All she wants is revenge.” I believe that this is a topic thrown out of proportion. Just like any other heroic storybook with a protagonist, there is the antagonist. Although I did not agree with the article, I still enjoyed the reading because it really made me think of how I as a young child felt while watching these fairytale, happy ending movies. It did not lead me to believe things that were not bound to happen, but it gave me hope when I needed it most.
Below are two sites:
1) What’s your Grief? (article)
Death in Disney Movies: Making the Most of Teachable Movie Moments
2) Stages of Grief: (video)
Speaking the Unspeakable
LGBT
A school setting is seen to be a place of safety and innocence. The topics of the LGBT community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), is seen as a threat to this safety zone by many. Reasons that the LGBT identities are not talked about in a formal school setting is because, it causes homophobia. Not only this, but many parents do not want their children to be exposed to this topic. However, this is a universal subject.
In September 2006, the ‘No Outsiders’ organization was created. The mission of this team was to explore ways to address the LGBT community in schools. This team was built by fifteen teachers, and nine university researchers. One of the members of this system, Laura, a teacher researcher, faced many issues in her school. She was not supported by many, but her resolution was focused on planning a unit which looked at ways that themes in fairy tales could be changed and adapted. The first story she chose was The Paper Bag Princess (1982). She motivated to the themes of LGBT by altering the decisions of characters. What happens if the prince is rejected? Why was he rejected? Why might the princess not want to wear a dress? Laura began small, then focused on the larger picture. The prince does not want to marry a princess, but another prince.
Sadly, it is not that simple to discuss LGBT in school settings. Reasons being, religion, angry parents and the fact that the inequality of those who are of this community would be seen as an “outsider”. There are many schools where children are kicked out for being gay, or those who are gay and are not allowed to bring their lesbian/gay partner to a school dance. There are stereotypes about being gay, if you are a thespian or “art freak”. There are terms that are said that those who sometimes say them do not realize how offensive they are, such as “that’s so gay”, or “what are you queer?”
“Teachers were asked to keep dominance of heterosexuality in the room”. This quote alone speaks for the entire article itself. Since when is it okay to portray heterosexuality as a “dominant” sexual orientation? What this tells me, is that LGBT does not matter, and that it is valued less. I agree that it is important to share that it is okay for one to be gay or even want to change their own gender. It should not be hidden privately. If the whole world were forced to be straight and not be themselves, not everyone would find love; not everyone would find happiness. It is talked so much that being your true self is the best self you can be, so why can’t the world accept one another for being themselves; for expressing who they truly are?
Hunger of Memory
Hunger of Memory
The Hispanic-American Social activists introduced Bilingual Education in the 1960’s permitting non-English speaking children to use their family language as the language of school. Richard Rodriguez is the son of working class parents, both Mexican immigrants. They lived many blocks from the Mexican south side of town, and only one block away from the biggest, whitest homes. The confidence of ‘belonging’ in the community was not an option for them.
Richard says, “We were the people with the noisy dog, the people who raised pigeons and chickens… the foreigners of the block.” Imagine living in a place where you did not feel comfortable? Even in your own neighborhood? In his home with the doors and windows closed is when he felt himself. His parents spoke Spanish to him in his household. His family was very close, and their language was a barrier, and a way for them to feel private.
It was unsettling for Richard to even hear his parents attempt to speak English. One day, three nuns showed up at his doorstep. They sat with his parents and asked them, “Is Spanish the only language you speak at home?” and asked of them to speak English more in the household for practice. One thing that Richard wanted people to realize was, “There are two ways of being individualized.” It is sad to know that growing up, Richard lost some of his culture; his own language. Spanish was the language of his home, and now it is but a fond childhood memory.
Silenced Dialogue
Silenced Dialogue
“THOSE WHITE PEOPLE won’t listen.” “THEY always want it to be THEIR way.” As a white, middle class, young adult, I could consider this to be extremely vulgar. However, whomever wrote about white people this way, must have been let down by many. I cannot speak for anyone in defense because I do not know the full story that lead to such an offensive statement.
There are so many impulsive things said about one another. However, this person is categorizing the white people who wouldn’t listen to them, with ALL white people. How I was raised, was to love one another no matter where one came from, another country or social class; no matter what color one’s skin or the languages one spoke. I cannot say that anyone of ethnicity has ever given me an issue that I would say something as “Those black people won’t listen.”
Sadly, there is a matter of fact, a “black issue”. Many people discriminate against blacks because of the color they are. To me, it is very easy to understand why a black person would dislike a white person in regard to discrimination in education and workplaces. “Success in schools, workplaces, etc.… is culture of those in power.” Those in power are primarily whites.
Those in power are frequently least aware of it. In the article, it is said that a child of a middle class or upper-class family will have a very different experience in school than a child of a lower-class family. To me, many of the reasons would be…
1. The child in a lower-class family cannot afford all that many of the other children have.
2. Children of a lower-class are made fun of because of their lack of ability in writing and the way they may socialize or dress.
3. It is difficult for the child of a lower-class family to excel in their education, as they need more help at times. Their inability to receive help comes from their mother or father who must work late in order for them to pay for their education…
And many more.
“To put all our beliefs on hold is to cease to exist as ourselves for a moment.” What is meant by this is that, if everyone put their beliefs aside of how they feel about a certain race, or social class, it would be a better atmosphere in all schools no matter what background the child is from. This is not always easy to some people; to try and understand what the world is like in another’s shoes.
Instead of stepping into other’s shoes and really hearing each other, it is common in our society to look for those who “participate in power.” This includes ways of talking, writing, dressing and socializing. Even those with tattoos and piercings are appeared to be not as serious as someone without; yet that is another issue. Judgement in power has been harshly towards oppressed racial minorities and looks of lower class standards.
It is robotic to equally talk, dress, write and socialize in a manner where it is “socially accepted”, especially by those of a high class. Power to me is not how you dress, or how you interact, or how extraordinarily large your list of vocabulary is. It does not matter what your color or where you came from. Everyone deserves the right to feel they have power to change the world at any time.
"You gotta do much more than believe, if you wanna see the world change." 