tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post2713727627109367184..comments2024-03-27T14:08:51.191-05:00Comments on American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Words about WordsDebbie Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972409006633565859noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-72853331665653670192010-04-16T05:13:46.650-05:002010-04-16T05:13:46.650-05:00Thinking about the power of words makes me think o...Thinking about the power of words makes me think of how the spoken word can have great influence on 'culture' and society. The spoken word has often been a powerful medium for causing harm (as an example, witness Hitler's sway over the German people) or creating a positive can-do mindset (as shown by Kennedy's 'Ask not what your country can do for you...') which can have major impact on the and individual, a community, or the world. <br /><br /> Then again, remembering the stories my great grandma told reminds me that I am a different person than I would be without all that information and background. I have a better understanding of parts of history because her stories connect me in some way to those parts of history. That's part of what story is all about - connecting both the teller and the hearer to something other than themselves.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01339105421389155275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-69134592898432550182010-04-14T19:39:27.187-05:002010-04-14T19:39:27.187-05:00I think the key to being truly progressive in both...I think the key to being truly progressive in both our personal and professional lives is to recognize our own bias. While it can be embarrassing, as an educator I realize admitting to my own bias enhances my teaching because I become more reflective and critical of my practices. It reminds me to ask myself am I advocating social justice, or am I only advocating justice in my areas of expertise and comfort (or things that are personally important to me)? Since I know I want to advocate social justice, when I note a flaw in my words, classroom material, etc. I then seek information and expertise from scholars and research I may not previously have been aware of. <br /><br />I like how Gary pointed out the problem with the cliché saying "words will never hurt me". I agree that this is false. As Gary mentions the power of words is great. For example it was pointed out in my current class on American Indian literature how the slang term "red man" came about, and in my fall course on Multicultural Education, it was discussed how the slang term "fag" came about. Both of these are harmful words to other groups of people, and are obviously not just words. They have infiltrated past and present culture with the disparaging images they create, and stereotypical characteristics they insinuate.JJYahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182818000112886116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-53949255715791562952010-04-13T22:10:53.422-05:002010-04-13T22:10:53.422-05:00Thinking about the power of words and thinking abo...Thinking about the power of words and thinking about the juxtaposition of the spoken word with the written word I start wondering how one ever came up with the old falsehood that "words will never hurt me" since words are very powerful indeed.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01339105421389155275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-56154791952187577372010-04-03T17:16:07.212-05:002010-04-03T17:16:07.212-05:00Hi! Thanks very much for stopping by my blog to co...Hi! Thanks very much for stopping by my blog to comment (and for linking to it). It's a relief to know I'm not the only one still tripping up with words. :) I suppose we all have to work hard to take care. <br /><br />Thank you for all the great information and conversations you host here. <br /><br />(Also, since your blog is very often about literature that is appropriate for children, I'd like to add that my blog often uses words that are not appropriate for children - just in case anyone scrolls through other posts.)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.com