Without much background knowledge on autism, I was quite surprised by many aspects of the film we viewed in class. Hearing autism described by a girl who has been dealing with it her whole life was fascinating. To know that she realized she couldn't control herself and that she felt like there was nothing she could do about the actions and movements that took over her body is something that I can not imagine.
Sue is a girl who has overcome a huge portion of her autism. She can communicate now, thanks to something that resembles a translator box. She said that before she was able to communicate, she was a non-person. She was thought to have the mental ability of a two and a half year old and once she learned to successfully communicate, it was discovered she was quite an intelligent individual who was very interested in learning.
I began to think about a few of the questions that were posed in class. Besides with having to deal with a disability, what would it be like to have so much inside of you, like she has, and not be able to express it to the world around you? She said she felt trapped at times and like she was her own worst nightmare. She was experiencing feelings and opinions that she was unable to express in ways that others could interpret. The world around her was moving so fast and didn't seem to have the time or patience to wait for her. Luckily, she had a great support system that backed her up from the very beginning and always looked out for her best interest. Without caring people on her side, Sue may still be in a world where she was unable to communicate with those around her. Able-bodied and able-minded people can not even begin to imagine what a world that is so unreceptive to those different than the norm is like. Will there ever be a way to make the lives of those with disabilities as "normal" as our everyday lives?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Children's Book Awards
After discussing the variety of book awards that exist in children’s literature, I have begun to think more in depth about whether or not those awards are necessary. With the existence of the Caldecott and Newberry book awards, it seems as though the other awards only make it more acceptable that diverse literature does not get the recognition it is worthy of. These awards consider only diverse literature of a certain category which almost sets an allowance for the Newberry and Caldecott awards to look right over this type of literature. It is important to “mainstream” this diverse literature and keeping it separate in one aspect just furthers the separation in all aspects of literature.
Some may argue that these separate awards allow the book to gain recognition but if this type of literature is to be gaining the same type of respect that all other children’s literature is, it should be considered on the same level. The authors that are reaching out to readers to educate them in ways that are sparsely available and that is important. At the same time, these authors need to put themselves at the same level that other authors are at in terms of their expectations concerning literature recognition. All children's literature should be recognized and appreciated in the same ways and these extra book awards are just unnecessary and make that hard to do.
Some may argue that these separate awards allow the book to gain recognition but if this type of literature is to be gaining the same type of respect that all other children’s literature is, it should be considered on the same level. The authors that are reaching out to readers to educate them in ways that are sparsely available and that is important. At the same time, these authors need to put themselves at the same level that other authors are at in terms of their expectations concerning literature recognition. All children's literature should be recognized and appreciated in the same ways and these extra book awards are just unnecessary and make that hard to do.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Reflecting on the African American Literature Discussion
After a really in-depth small group and class discussion, I began thinking about Bronx Masquerade, by Nikki Grimes, in a different way. A lot of important points were brought up but most of the topics that stand out have to do with dealing with stereotypes.
It seems as though Grimes has created and reinforced the stereotypes in the characters that are portrayed in her story. She creates students that begin as young people who fit into very stereotypic "African American" roles. Does she break these stereotypes? Does she force us to look at them more deeply? These have become ideas that are understood and accepted and it is a concern that the readers will walk away from the book thinking this is the way all inner-city students are. Tyrone is the character whose voice carries throughout the whole story. He acts as the one who links all of these students together and leads the realization that no one is only skin deep. He comes right out and says that the students he once used to think fit into a certain "box" no longer fit into the same place anymore. The students reveal deep thoughts about themselves through poetry and prove to be so much more than their outward appearance.
Considering all of that, the question still exists, does Grimes break through those stereotypes or only reinforce them more for her readers? How can we even begin to come up with an answer?
It seems as though Grimes has created and reinforced the stereotypes in the characters that are portrayed in her story. She creates students that begin as young people who fit into very stereotypic "African American" roles. Does she break these stereotypes? Does she force us to look at them more deeply? These have become ideas that are understood and accepted and it is a concern that the readers will walk away from the book thinking this is the way all inner-city students are. Tyrone is the character whose voice carries throughout the whole story. He acts as the one who links all of these students together and leads the realization that no one is only skin deep. He comes right out and says that the students he once used to think fit into a certain "box" no longer fit into the same place anymore. The students reveal deep thoughts about themselves through poetry and prove to be so much more than their outward appearance.
Considering all of that, the question still exists, does Grimes break through those stereotypes or only reinforce them more for her readers? How can we even begin to come up with an answer?
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