“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.”-- Friedrich Nietzsche
The most astonishing thing was the diversity. In a class that is primarily white, middle-class, well-educated kids in their 20s, the projects and presentations covered a wide range of topics. From a few lines of direction, we selected media—and found meaning—across the spectrum.
I expected overlap. I thought I’d see a narrow and somewhat less inventive range. A handful of the same kinds of mainstream magazines, all from the same decade or two. Maybe some recent local newspapers. Current and popular television shows.
What I listened to—and learned from—was instead wildly inventive. And the focus and perspective helped me see things I’d never considered. It never occurred to me that Minnie Mouse presented a skewed and extreme portrayal of gender. I knew gays on television weren’t representative of all homosexual men (by far), but it took Kali’s words to help me see that they are the same character, repeated over and over in different actors. Katherine’s video on the “Color of Beauty” showed (yet another) side of the fashion world that warps our reality of real women.
But the most revealing moment of the evening was when Josh came forward to share his project. Because before he even opened his mouth, I stereotyped him as not very smart. He dressed like too many men I’d known in my life—what many in Texas call a “good ol’ boy,” slightly redneck, certainly nice, friend to just about everyone. Probably in a fraternity (and probably Kappa Alpha Order, if I had to guess). But also slightly shallow. Not what anyone would call a brainiac.
When he opened his spreadsheet and started walking us through it, it blew those preconceptions out of the water. I was fascinated by the information, impressed by the breadth of his quantitative research. I nearly asked for a copy of his full report. I nearly apologized for underestimating him. I did chastise myself for ever thinking that his outward appearance should be any indication of his scholarly abilities.
I’m learning that I'm not as open minded as I'd like to think. I'm learning to think about things in new ways. But I am learning. Every day and every new perspective is a revelation.
The most astonishing thing was the diversity. In a class that is primarily white, middle-class, well-educated kids in their 20s, the projects and presentations covered a wide range of topics. From a few lines of direction, we selected media—and found meaning—across the spectrum.
I expected overlap. I thought I’d see a narrow and somewhat less inventive range. A handful of the same kinds of mainstream magazines, all from the same decade or two. Maybe some recent local newspapers. Current and popular television shows.
What I listened to—and learned from—was instead wildly inventive. And the focus and perspective helped me see things I’d never considered. It never occurred to me that Minnie Mouse presented a skewed and extreme portrayal of gender. I knew gays on television weren’t representative of all homosexual men (by far), but it took Kali’s words to help me see that they are the same character, repeated over and over in different actors. Katherine’s video on the “Color of Beauty” showed (yet another) side of the fashion world that warps our reality of real women.
But the most revealing moment of the evening was when Josh came forward to share his project. Because before he even opened his mouth, I stereotyped him as not very smart. He dressed like too many men I’d known in my life—what many in Texas call a “good ol’ boy,” slightly redneck, certainly nice, friend to just about everyone. Probably in a fraternity (and probably Kappa Alpha Order, if I had to guess). But also slightly shallow. Not what anyone would call a brainiac.
When he opened his spreadsheet and started walking us through it, it blew those preconceptions out of the water. I was fascinated by the information, impressed by the breadth of his quantitative research. I nearly asked for a copy of his full report. I nearly apologized for underestimating him. I did chastise myself for ever thinking that his outward appearance should be any indication of his scholarly abilities.
I’m learning that I'm not as open minded as I'd like to think. I'm learning to think about things in new ways. But I am learning. Every day and every new perspective is a revelation.
Ha ha I love your stereotype of Josh! I thought that way of him when I first met him. But he is not like that at all! Did you know he went to the Air Force Academy and then left because it wasn't for him? He is not in a frat. He is really smart. He is a great journalist. (And he's a little flaky, too.) Thanks for your insightful comments!
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