Re: diversity and diversities
stephanie spina (sspina who-is-at email.gc.cuny.edu)
Tue, 7 Oct 1997 18:49:12 -0400 (EDT)
Jay, Judy, Diane, et al--
There is definitely a place for anger, and (should I add _as a Latina and
feminist_ here? Does it give me more credibility?) I am well acquainted
with anger and even rage from inside and out, as anyone who knows me and
my work well will attest. But it is not the blind anger or supercilious
sarcasm that has been slung maliciously throughout this exchange. Is
nastiness justified because to be considerate and to engage in an exchange
of ideas is considered complicitous with the white male status quo? Since
when is caring (which is not the same as either nurturing or politeness)
patriarchal? There are plenty of white male academics I would not defend
under any circumstances. And some white females, and people of color,
gay, straight, transgendered, other-abled, etc. (repeat Jays list)
academics are in that category (indefensible) as well. I make my
judgements on the basis of each individual and their ideology as reflected
in their work and lives. Not on socially constructed categorizations.
Yes, McLaren and Giroux do represent a certain point of view. But they
are not the enemy. After all, they are well known for providing a
platform for marginalized voices in their edited volumes as well as in
their own work.
One does not have to yell for those nearby to hear.
Diane might be advised to read Patricia McDonough (who idenified herself
as a lesbian) and McLaren s _Critical, Postmodern Studies of Gay and
Lesbian Lives in the Academy_ in the HER special issue (summer, 1996), vol
56, no 2. Does being a _dyke feminist_ preclude her (Diane) from working
with white male criticalists on issues affecting the academy? Is she
afraid of finding out that her struggle and that of McLaren, Giroux and
Apple maybe share some points of intersection and deserve a sign of
solidarity on some of the really tough issues facing us?
Judy, at least, by raising _the data question_, brings up an interesting
area to explore. There is a basis for debate here around the relationship
between theory and practice and what constitutes data and does data drive
theory or vice versa, etc. What, if any, is the role of philosophy? What
is the relationship between ideology and data? Whether one agrees with
Judy or not, she has a valid issue here and one I would welcome a
discussion of. This is a legitimate critique (pro or con) of Apple,
McLaren, Giroux, et al. And there are others. The fact that they are
white males is not one of them. It is far more complex than that.
If you want the last word (sarcastic or otherwise), Diane, its yours. I've
got better things to do.
Stephanie
Stephanie Urso Spina
City University of New York
sspina who-is-at email.gc.cuny.edu