Re: [xmca] The power of internalization is overwhelmingly pervasive

As Cathrene states, how we (referring it to American's mainstream
culture) equate kindness with weakness, and Roger, bullying with power
in the context of school games, it reminds me of the discourse going
on about winning the Iraq war. I always ask myself, winning what war?
What is winning? If there is winning, then America, a country that
boasts itself as the most powerful country in the whole world is as
weak and bullying as a small circle of Sadam Hussein in Iraq. If we
think of it as it lost the war, we accept with humility that America
was, and is a bully, and no power can be measured from of it. As Peter
and others said, may be it selfishness, but also a sense of false
power and ignorance of what is of value in human specie and refusal to
acknowledge bullying and its negative consequences, to themselves and
to others. This can be extended even into what we teach and how we
teach. What values do we foster in our classrooms, in the community,
etc,.? So I share Michael's frustration about bullying, which has been
culturally accepted and many people equate it with power and
achievement rather than powerlessness and failure.
To answer your question Michael, "How can educators expect anything
other than (relational) bullying in schools when such a vast majority
of society [educators included] engages in the very act?" I believe as
critical educators (CHAT educators?:)), we know bullying when we see
it. And we know our capacities to change things, even if it means
being unpopular. We should work to do just that, work towards changing
bully culture.

Elinami

On 8/6/08, Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu> wrote:
> My colleague (and now Dean) Andy Horne's research is in the area of
> bullying. I don't know if it's CHATty or not, but he's published a ton on
> the subject. See http://www.coe.uga.edu/chds/faculty/horne/index.html
>
> Peter Smagorinsky
> The University of Georgia
> 125 Aderhold Hall
> Athens, GA 30602
> smago@uga.edu/phone:706-542-4507
> http://www.coe.uga.edu/lle/faculty/smagorinsky/index.html
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu [mailto:xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu] On
> Behalf Of TVMathDude@aol.com
> Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 3:18 AM
> To: xmca@weber.ucsd.edu
> Subject: Re: [xmca] The power of internalization is overwhelmingly pervasive
>
> Elinami,
>
> In thinking back to my high school days, I can recall several individuals
> who could have been bully's. But they weren't. Somehow they were drawn into
> the
> mainstream. Two big differences at my school: (1) none of the athletes
> received varsity sweaters, all the male students wore jackets and ties, (2)
> there
> was no football team. The fall sports were cross-country and intramural
> flag
> football. No violent sports and no special status for athletes.
>
> There are no violent sports at the community college where I taught.
> Florida
> and FSU are the teams that dominate our area and consciousness. The only
> bully's seem to be top level administrators, who wouldn't recognize
> leadership,
> if it bit them in the ass.
>
> I have more police, fire and military in my classes then athletes. Those
> three groups are the most respectful you will ever encounter.
>
> Just a thought: As a society do we elevate these athletes and celebrities
> to
> special status, so that we can experience stardom, if just vicariously?
>
> In the 70's and 80's there were prime time shows that demonstrated
> thoughtfulness, the relieving of suffering, doctors who cared about their
> patients,
> not their egos; adults, who saw themselves as role models for their
> children.
> "Joan of Arcadia" and "Seventh Heaven" are long gone.
>
> As a society is there no profit in decency and respect, so these virtues
> are
> set aside?
>
> All we can hope to do is treat our students with respect and encourage them
>
> to respect each other...one class at a time and we can provide an
> opportunity
> for them to examine and discuss the acts of the media, advertising and
> politicians within the context of the course we are teaching. NO PREACHING !
> Just
> give them a opportunity question and think.
>
> Roger
>
>
>
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-- 
Dr. Elinami Swai
Womens' and Gender Studies
University Hall 4220-A
The University of Toledo
Toledo, OH, 43606
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