THE ABSENT

THE ABSENT
THE ABSENT - out now!

CRIPPLED HEARTS

CRIPPLED HEARTS
Out Now - For sale on Amazon and other onlne book sellers

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju
Out Now

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju
My first book of poetry available through Amazon and other online booksellers www.rajbooks.com

Saturday, April 20, 2013

THE PROBLEM AMERICANS HAVE WITH USING "VOICE"


This story got me thinking about “voice” assuming a character for the purpose of learning someone else’s point of view http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/14/nazi-essay-new-york-yeacher

Granted, in the linked example, a history class would have been a better place for this rather than an English class and one could also argue what the acceptable age is for students to do such a task but assuming the “voice” of someone or something is a well recognized and effective teaching tool.   

It is also responsible for some great art....I often write poetry in the voice of others very different than myself in outlook or personality as do great songwriters like Stan Ridgway and Randy Newman.

One of the most effective courses I had in college years ago was an International Relations political science course wherein our instructor asked us to take on all manner of different people in different political struggles around the globe.  It was an eye opening experience. 

But Americans have a hard time with “voice”.  They are black and white people with no room for gray and they don’t understand an opinion different than theirs.  Maybe refuse to understand it would be a better description.

In addition, political correctness means that “voice” in the minds of tight ass Americans means you automatically agree with whatever you are studying instead of simply trying to understand why an event happened or why a group of people feel a certain way.

There’s no solution for this and the increased reliance on testing in US schools and the downplaying of critical thinking is only going to make this worse I fear.


No comments: