By Ella Deignan Own voice literature, which highlights marginalized voices and experiences, is critical in education and reconstructing this overwhelming narrative of a single story. #OwnVoices, a term coined by young adult author Corinne Duyvis, refers to books about characters from underrepresented/marginalized groups in which the author shares the same identity. (Orange County Library System)Continue reading “The Power of Own Voice Literature”
Author Archives: annaliesereid
Read This Out Loud (it’s not a question)
by: Anisa Thompson Have you ever been that person in a silent room, quietly reading out loud to yourself? Most of us probably have. Maybe you were reading a textbook assignment, some notes, or a confusing chapter of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. But the real question here remains; who’s received the responseContinue reading “Read This Out Loud (it’s not a question)”
Gender Norms in Giovanni’s Room: A Reference Not a Rule
On Monday, our class had a discussion on Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, where we talked about Hella’s judgmental remarks after her return from Spain. My classmates Alana and Anisa provided ample evidence from the text showing when Hella protected judgement onto other characters. Even though it was clear their claim was true, I persistedContinue reading “Gender Norms in Giovanni’s Room: A Reference Not a Rule”
Sexuality in the 1950s: A Historical Analysis of France
by: Anisa Thompson When reading Giovanni’s Room, was anyone else shocked that France was guillotining people in the 1950s? I was. As any curious (and slightly disturbed) person would, I began to wonder what actually went down during the 1950s in France. Thanks to Janine Mossuz-Lavau’s “Politics and Sexuality in France, 1951-1991,” I have someContinue reading “Sexuality in the 1950s: A Historical Analysis of France”
The Beauty in Change
By Reina Ackerberg Before writing this post, I took a moment to reflect on the norms and ideas I have learned throughout life from my own experiences and those I have been taught by my parents and siblings. Growing up in a family where a religion wasn’t practiced, I was invited to choose how IContinue reading “The Beauty in Change”
Social Structure within Prisons: The Realities of Racial Relations
by: Kate KasicaWhile watching The Work, directed by Jairus McLeary, I was struck by how the environment created within the documentary seemed completely separate from any external pressures or norms. There are no physical or socially constructed divides, allowing inmates and visitors to form meaningful connections with one another. This support system also crosses racialContinue reading “Social Structure within Prisons: The Realities of Racial Relations”
Big Boys Cry (Even in Prison)
by: Alana Foster-Smith I haven’t seen my dad cry. I haven’t seen either of my brothers cry. I was brought up to think that this was completely normal. But after watching The Work, I was forced to revisit what had become normal in my life. The stereotype that “big boys don’t cry” had seeped itselfContinue reading “Big Boys Cry (Even in Prison)”
The Effects of Emotional Support Groups within Prison
by Eli Daniel The Work, a documentary by Jairus McLeary, highlights the lack of emotional support men receives throughout their lives. The rituals that are the focal point of The Work are centered around the idea of a safe space and support group for the emotional distraught individuals participating. An idea that is common toContinue reading “The Effects of Emotional Support Groups within Prison”
Winter Rolls Right Around the Corner: How family gender roles are amplified in the winter
by: Kathryn Kaiser With winter coming right around the corner, all the many joys (and chores) of the season are going to be brought back into our lives. Along with the hot cocoa, steaming cider, snowmen, and ice skating comes snowy driveways, decorating, cold drafts, and icy walks, creating more work to be done insideContinue reading “Winter Rolls Right Around the Corner: How family gender roles are amplified in the winter”
Blame Game: How the Construct of Gender Creates Barriers Within One United Group
by Kelly Dayton “Revolutionary Hope: A Conversation Between James Baldwin and Audre Lorde” documents a dialogue between two people that quickly turns from an argument against racism in America to an argument against each other. It emphasizes the idea that although Black people have been so strongly oppressed in America, the separation between Black menContinue reading “Blame Game: How the Construct of Gender Creates Barriers Within One United Group”
Constructions of Gender in Literature 