By: Kate Kasica Political correctness refers to using language that society has deemed acceptable or non-offensive and is usually used when talking about controversial topics. Its nickname, PC, is often used as a jab when people are said to be overly sensitive or unable to take a joke. I have often heard it when myContinue reading “A Reflection on PC Culture and Class Discussions”
Category Archives: Culture
More Than Just Vegetables
By Reina Ackerberg High on the Hog – How African American Cuisine Transformed America, written by Jessica B. Harris, starring Stephan Satterfield, and directed by Tony Walsh, works to tell the story of many different African American dishes that have now come to establish American food. This documentary works to highlight innovative aspects of pastContinue reading “More Than Just Vegetables”
A Note to the Class: Using Your Shared Life Experience
Dear Class, In the course of our Constructions of Gender in Literature class, we have engaged in a large number of conversations that can be described as difficult, emotional, funny, awkward, or informative, ranging a larger number of topics; however, there has been one common theme throughout our discussions. There is a common theme ofContinue reading “A Note to the Class: Using Your Shared Life Experience”
Names are Important
Hank A person’s name is the very first impression they give. One’s name is the foundation of all interactions. A name is deeply important. A name sustains traditions stemming from family ties, cultural history, and personal beliefs all of which tie oneself into the surrounding community providing a level of relatedness. My legally given nameContinue reading “Names are Important”
Tommy Pico and the Kumeyaay Nation: A Brief Historical and Cultural Context
While reading Homegoing, I found myself repeatedly feeling like something was missing from my understanding of the book. It was difficult to answer questions concerning homophobic culture in Ghana versus Britain when I didn’t have any initial cultural background about Asante and Fante culture, geography, language, and dynamics. While in class, I watched as weContinue reading “Tommy Pico and the Kumeyaay Nation: A Brief Historical and Cultural Context”
Systems of Oppression and Suppressed Social Identities
By Eli Daniel In this course, systems of oppression are a common topic. While there is no cookie-cutter definition of this complex concept this post will help you gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of oppression while highlighting the institutionalized oppression present in our nation. Exploring college websites is a common activity for highContinue reading “Systems of Oppression and Suppressed Social Identities”
Straight Men Are So Gay!
By Frederick Loew After reading Tom Maude-Griffin’s 2013 senior speech, “Balls, Balls, and More Balls!” I was left with not only a lasting impression of the hilarity of his speech, but also a deep feeling of connection with his words. His message was something I had been trying to put into words for years, “theContinue reading “Straight Men Are So Gay!”
The Importance of Names in Homegoing
By Reina Ackerberg Homegoing, written by Yaa Gyasi, includes a vast variety of names, varying from extremely short to long, and common to unique. What are names? And why are they important? According to the Equity and Inclusion Office of British Columbia, “Our names are an incredibly important part of our identity. They carry deepContinue reading “The Importance of Names in Homegoing”
Using gender as a weapon
By Ella Deignan Lysistrata is an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes, originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BC. It’s a comic account of a woman’s extraordinary mission to end the Peloponnesian War between Greek city-states by denying all the men of the land any sex, which was the only thing they truly and deeplyContinue reading “Using gender as a weapon”
“Family Is Like the Forest”
by Sage Marmet Yaa Gyasi’s epigraph in Homegoing, an Akan proverb, rings so undeniably true about families and each of their respective dynamics. The epigraph reads, “Abusua te sε kwaε: sε wo wↄ akyire a wo hunu sε εbom; sε wo bεn ho a na wo hunu sε nnua no bia sisi ne baabi nko”Continue reading ““Family Is Like the Forest””
Constructions of Gender in Literature 