Gender, Langauge and Culture {Humanity in a nutshell}

As we enter into the ERWC module: Gender, Language and Culture we must keep in mind a few ground rules. 1. It is okay to have an opinion and even play 'devil's advocate' to push conversations forward. 2. It's okay to disagree (really, we don't all have to agree about everything) 3.You shouldn't take another person's opinion personally
4. Name calling out loud or under your breath is not necessary; in fact, it's mean.



What will people infer when they see this ad?
Does it perpetuate stereotypes or help equalize gender roles?

With the ground rules set in place lets begin.

 We will start with gender stereotyping. You will start off by sharing advertisements that play a part in promoting stereotypes of a gender. For instance, take a look at this advertisement for a cleaning product. What do you see? What emotion is being conveyed here? Read the tag line. Who is the targeted audience? How do you know this? How is this ad promoting gender stereotypes?

Some ads may seem insensitive at best while others are blatantly using sexuality as a way to sale anything from cleaning products to suits. Our role, as a member of society, is to determine what if any reaction is necessary; or even decide if society has become to sensitive to such provocative ads.

We will tackle quite a few readings with this module the first being an article written by Deborah Tannen "The Power of Talk" in this article Tannen will explore the different ways both men and women communicate. While she does not come out and say one way is better than the other she does force the reader to recognize that there are differences in the ways men and women communicate. In addition to the "The Power of Talk" we will read another article by Tannen "His Politness is Her Powerlessness". What if using your manners made others see you as less confident? This article explores Tannen's earlier premise a little more in-depth. We will also read David Brooks' article: "Honor Code" ,Vershawn Ashanti Young's "Prelude: The Barbershop" (this link will take you to a word document rather than a site),and if time allows Audre Lorde's "Transformation of Silence into Language and Action". I think it's really important to address how many people coming to this country felt the need to shed their "old selves". It is sad to see how others feel that the only way to fit in is to be different than who they thought they should be which is why I'm including the reading, "How to Tame A Wild Tongue" by Gloria Anzaldua.

We will also watch one or two Ted Talks that deal with culture and gender. One is from Khalida Brohi's talk "How I work to Protect Women from Honor Killings" and the other  Cameron Russell's "Looks aren't Everything...Believe Me I'm a Model". Here we have two women describing two very different cultures; with the common denominator being gender. In addition to the TED Talks I am including Ernestine Johnson's Your Average Black Girl YouTube clip. These talks will hopefully create the conversation regarding how we look at women, how their beauty is a currency to buy privilege and how society must learn new ways to equalize the genders. In addition, to the two Ted Talks we will watch a YouTube video "Phylosophe" by Judith Butler where she addresses gender norms.

The readings and viewings are only ONE part of class. I need you to participate and to participate fully. If you censor yourself and your thoughts are you growing as a person? Are you walking in your own truth or just merely existing?



Catching Holden