Conversations about Sister Citizen

In our African American Literature class today, we discussed the Introduction and first chapter of Melissa Harris-Perry's text Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America.  Harris-Perry connects literature to experiences, sociological theories to identities, and damaging myths to their problematic origins.  It's quite a text.  Students provided their responses to a few prompts related to Harris-Perry's work:

When asked to discuss Harris-Perry's notion of the "crooked room" -

• "Black women expected to be a certain type of way to fit into society's standards, instead of achieving their own personal way of life." - Jaylon A.
• "She is speaking on how things around black women make them have to bend, turn, or flip to overcome them (metaphorically speaking)." - Cameka B.

When asked about what Harris-Perry does in connecting the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God -

• "Harris-Perry connected issues related to Hurricane Katrina like slavery.  The whites were able to evacuate before Katrina made landfall, while the blacks were stuck in low-poverty..." - Tenea L.
• "She said that the stories from New Orleans in the first days of the flood echoed this plot element as well.  Despite the silence of the government & the unanswered cries for help, initial media coverage focused on criminal activity rather than the people suffering..." - Iriana C.
• "Victims of Katrina were forced to leave their safe homes and thrust into the unknown.  Janie's new love, Tea Cake, was bitten by a rabid dog and she was forced to kill him for her own safety.  Just as the Katrina victims were forced to 'steal' food and medical supplies for their own good." - Dana R.
• "Hurston has political lessons in her story.  How politics of race and gender come into play.  All of these issues come together to create a storm both figuratively and literally in her story Their Eyes Were Watching God." - Mario P

Campus Words - Fall 2015

CAMPUS WORDS

Plan to attend our Campus Words events this semester.  We will alternate between student performances and student-run writing workshops.

LIBRARY 305

WEDNESDAYS @ 1 pm                                                THURSDAYS @ 2pm

9/16 – Performance                                                10/1 – Performance

9/23 – Writing Workshop                       10/8 – Writing Workshop

10/14 – Performance                                          10/29 – Performance

10/21 – Writing Workshop                      11/5 – Writing Workshop

11/11 – Performance                                               12/3 – Performance

11/18 – Writing Workshop                                                               JOIN US

Hip Hop · Spoken Word· Literary  · Slam · Poetry · Videography · en Español · Montage · Music· Art· ASL·Photography · Performance ·

               

OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS

Cell Phone Blues

Students today find it difficult to put their phones away during class.  I mean, it nearly devastates them when I look over and say, "would you put your phone away?"  In working to think through this phenomenon, there are certainly various reasons leading to the anxiety students feel about placing those technological lifelines out of sight for the duration of the class.

We exist in a time when technology makes information instant, or nearly instant.  You don't know something?  Google it.  Did you hear what this celebrity said about that?  Check out Wikipedia.  Did you see the cutest picture of a cat sitting on a monkey, sitting on an alligator, sitting on an elephant?  Check Snapchat.  For my students, most of this digital discussion and exchange occurs on their cell phones.

Now, I have had to question my approach in the classroom when it comes to these devices - can there be a benefit to having them in class?  More than once I have asked students to look up something on their phones: the definition to a word in our reading, the birth date of an author, any number of things.  But, I also know that having those phones out and on the desk is a temptation for students.  Many times I have seen the flash of a phone as a student is notified that s/he has received a text message, voicemail, or update of any sort.  It's so hard to resist looking, I know.

I will be thinking about this more as the semester progresses - how can we develop a middle ground for the use of cell phones in the classroom, one that understands the immediacy and dependence we have when it comes to technology, but also considers the distracting qualities that go along with that instant information and endless updates.

Language: A Student's Perspective

by Wilfred Harold

I adjust my language in public compared to language at home, for people in society freely judge each other. Throughout the day at home, I’m very comfortable with my language because for the most part, there is no one correcting it as I speak. Language can change in public, talking with friends, and especially in your own private space.

In public, I have to revise the way I speak because I feel I’m being judged all the time. It is important to speak well when you are out in public since it’s the language that matters the most. Also, when I leave home, I tend to fluctuate my language according to the places I attend.

Talking to my friends at home it can be like, “what’s up” or “I hear you” and “y’all should have seen this,” examples of nonstandard English. Conversations among my peers can be quite different; it’s a familiar and customary way of getting our point across. Vulgar language is acceptable then, but around law enforcement you have to choose your words wisely.

First, in my private space I do not have to adjust to the more standard way of speaking. Second, I can rely on my own authority when I speak, so it won’t be a problem for me. Finally, when I’m alone I can still be somewhere else because information is all around me in the form of books, dictionaries, and encyclopedias.

In public, I revamp my language to speak Standard English. Communicating with friends, I’m more casual. When alone in my own private space, I don’t have to watch what I say or how I say it. 
________________________________________________________________________________________
Wilfred Harold is a student at North Harris College in Houston. 

Jazz and Student Engagement

The set list for the Hurricane Jazz Orchestra

Over the summer, I attended a musical performance on campus by the Hurricane Jazz Orchestra.  Now, folks are lucky to get a handful of attendees for summer events – on any college campus – and it was exciting to see so many people in attendance for this event.  And the musicians?  Well, they brought it.

The ensemble performed a number of songs, ranging from the theme to the television show Family Guy, to Dave Brubeck’s “Blue Rondo a la Turk.”  My favorite, though, had to be when the group shared their version of “Hurricane Season,” a composition by Troy Andrews.  Those of you in the know will recognize that Andrews performs as Trombone Shorty.

Now, Trombone Shorty played a pivotal role in my attendance at the ensemble’s performance.  My student, Jomi Calhoun, regularly talks about music and his influences as he is a percussionist and jazz enthusiast.  In one of our conversational jam sessions after class, we talked about Trombone Shorty. Jomi mentioned that the ensemble, of which he is a part, would perform “Hurricane Season” at their event. 

It’s so fun and rewarding to see students in their own spaces outside of the classroom, so I try to take advantage of these situations – but knowing that they would perform this song sealed the deal.  And, Jomi would be on the drum set for “Hurricane Season” as part of the great rhythm section in the ensemble. When the song came, he let loose a flurry of syncopated and crushing notes, which moved the attendees to clap and cheer.  They were jamming!

Students come to campus, attend their courses, then many go home.  There are a number of students at each school who get involved and pursue their passions.  When those moments present themselves, faculty and staff shouldn’t miss opportunities to be a part of the communities created by involved, creative young scholars.  What a treat!