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Blogs Bridging the Gaps Responsible Teachers, Responsible Scholars by Therí Pickens
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Blogs Bridging the Gaps Responsible Teachers, Responsible Scholars by Therí Pickens | Responsible Teachers, Responsible Scholars by Therí Pickens |
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| Written by Theri Pickens | |
| Monday, 03 March 2008 | |
  I was in class. We read Seventeen Syllables by Yamamoto. One of the words used to describe a disabled character was 'invalid.' One student, in answer to a question about the plot said, "He was sitting next to the invalid." The professor turned around and wrote on the board in block capital letters, to describe the 'he': INVALID. I was, excuse me, frickin-mickin' pissed off. I marched up to the professor after class, gathered as much propriety as I could muster and asked, "Is there a reason why you didn't correct the use of the word invalid?" She gave me a bunch of, excuse me, crappy reasons why it wasn't pedagogically relevant to the class: "Oh the use of disabled is evidence of how far we've come." "I don't want to change the text." "This isn't a disability studies class." "This character isn't really relevant to the discussion." First, the word 'invalid' is archaic and boldly problematic. To me, it basically has blinking and flashing red lights encircling it. It suggests that the person described is not valid, not important, without agency, and not human. Secondly, the fact that 'disabled' evinces 'how far we've come,' it bears mentioning that even though 'invalid' was used in the text, a metatextual description requires the use of the word 'disabled.' Third, it is not a matter of changing the text; it is a matter of discussing the text in a responsible manner. Fourth, who cares if this is a disability studies class? The entire point of the discipline is to bring up these issues in myriad settings. [Would we turn around and write other opprobrium on the board and explain it away by saying that this is not X studies?] Lastly, inasmuch as the character became indicative of certain attitudes and associations within the text, the character was more than relevant; the character was essential. This professor is able-bodied and focuses on Milton and American Women Writers. Needless to say, her epistemology is not tied up in disability issues. So, is she responsible to her students for issues concerning disability? Would she be responsible for covering complex issues concerning maleness and masculinity? I answer a resounding yes. Yes. As a scholar, she is responsible, pedagogically, for catching errors like the one the young lady made. Scholars, when in the role of teachers, must engage their class on the main topic and put out fires when they erupt. It is awfully simple to say, "True; just be sure that when you are not quoting text that you use the term disabled. The term 'invalid' suggests, well what does it suggest in this context with respect to Mr. Hamamoto?" A quick way to correct the blunder and move on. I am not naïve in this matter; I know what it is like to not be able to 'teach everything.' So often, my students use problematic words, phrases and have disdainful assumptions. It seems to me that I would be an irresponsible teacher if I let them continue on those paths. It is within my power to correct – either public or private forums – and instruct. It also seems to me that I would be an irresponsible scholar if I let them continue in such a fashion. Few of them will read my work or even remember me after the class is over, but the idea, the thought, usually lives on. Comments
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the funny thing is that she probably has....
but she's benighted enough to disregard the general argument and say something like 'well i can't cover EVERYTHING' i mean, i use her as a symbol of this attitude (more useful than complaining about her specifically). she's representative of the neo-liberal notion that there are too many categories and that people can't account for everything and everyone... that political correctness is a farce the idea of sensitivity should be naturalized... it is not really even about words... more about the attitudes behind them... Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.       |
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Too bad your prof never read Playing in the Dark..