Martin O'Brien (martin@martinobrien.com)
Sun, 10 Dec 2000 20:02:57 -0500
HI all! My name is Jessica Geyer, and I am a 21 yr. old early childhood
education major... I have been on this list for a little over a month, but I
have yet to comment on any discussions. I am now breaking my silence.
"I also believe that it is possible to make too much of the
differences between cultures. I do not wish to underestimate cultural
differences, nor do I wish to minimize the harm that's been inflicted
through ignorance and insensitivity. But I think that overemphasizing our
differences can, potentially, lead to maintaining and reinforcing, rather
than reducing, barriers."
...Bruce, I totally agree with you on this one!! Any decent human would not
dare make light of any minority's opinion involving a feeling they have. A
person cannot crawl into the mind of another, especially someone from an
extremely different background and upbringing. Culture is a tough issue,
oddly enough in the dawn of the 21st century. My fiance is first and second
generation French-Canadian American, and third generation Irish American.
He grew up in the projects in the North Shore part of Massachusetts, near
Boston. Growing up was not easy for him by any means. It stinks because he
is viewed as a typical WASP, (he's even been refered to as a "guinea"!)when
he possesses the papers and opportunity to clame dual citizenship in Canada.
I guess as a bit of a analogy: When I first met my fiance, I went out to
play pool with a group of his 'buddies'. I was dressed in a mildly trendy
way:Dark jeans, turtleneck sweater, black boots, make-up, hair curled.
During the night, my fiance's best friend made a comment predicting that I
would think that his friends were intimdating, and I guess, 'weird' to say
the least. All three guys had long hair, ripped jeans, tattoos, gotees,
etc.. By making assumptions based on my appearance that I would make
assumptions about them, based on their appearance, they have proven the
fallibility of assumptions and judgements based on a person's outward
appearance....if that makes any sense at all...
I guess my point is that it can be tough for a person to hold onto their
'cultural identity' of sorts (even) when their exterior may be viewed and
judged as the typical white American male. Life is never gonna be all roses
and perfection. All humans have inner struggles, and it's not anyone's
right to judge another person's feelings, because you may be way off base
and have no experience in where they are coming from.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-discuss-sudbury-model@aramis.sudval.org
[mailto:owner-discuss-sudbury-model@aramis.sudval.org]On Behalf Of Bruce
Smith
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2000 1:11 PM
To: discuss-sudbury-model@aramis.sudval.org
Subject: RE: DSM: Education/Science
I think it would be wise to avoid the dichotomy of science=good vs.
science=bad/intuition=good. When science reports on someone's exploration
into the unknown, it's worth celebrating. Typically, we're all better off
for having something new to consider and discuss. The problem, and the gist
of Joe's argument, as I perceive it, is not science per se, but rather
those who place too much faith and trust in it.
A key part of the Sudbury model involves thinking for oneself, not trusting
external authorities and experts over one's own judgment. Make your own
decisions, based on your own observations: don't look to Science to tell
you what you should do. Science can be extremely useful, but let's not
forget for a second that it is generated by fallible human beings, each
with his/her own experience, cultural context, assumptions, bias, etc.
On that note, I also believe that it is possible to make too much of the
differences between cultures. I do not wish to underestimate cultural
differences, nor do I wish to minimize the harm that's been inflicted
through ignorance and insensitivity. But I think that overemphasizing our
differences can, potentially, lead to maintaining and reinforcing, rather
than reducing, barriers.
(I realize I've set up a distinction between acknowledging and
overemphasizing without really delineating it. But I still believe the
distinction is there, and valid. If anyone wishes to help locate this fine
line, I'd love to hear from them.)
Bruce
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