http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/06/29/culture-matters%e2%80%94especially-if-it%e2%80%99s-my-culture/ International Collection of Children's and Adolescent Literature Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/06/29/culture-matters%e2%80%94especially-if-it%e2%80%99s-my-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-10094 Genny O'Herron Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:23:20 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=109#comment-10094 Sitting down to lunch vs joining someone at his/her dinner table, an apt way to describe arranging contact vs being invited into intimate relationship: The difference between the superficial and the depth--of stories, of realtionships, of living. It is hard to know as a cultural outsider if/when small or large inaccuracies exist in a text, but Short reminds us how inmportant it is to get these details right. She also reminds us that there is a distinct difference between writing from the outsider and insider perspectives. As readers and writers this is worthy of more consideration--thank you Kathy for distilling the essence of a complicated matter. Sitting down to lunch vs joining someone at his/her dinner table, an apt way to describe arranging contact vs being invited into intimate relationship: The difference between the superficial and the depth–of stories, of realtionships, of living. It is hard to know as a cultural outsider if/when small or large inaccuracies exist in a text, but Short reminds us how inmportant it is to get these details right. She also reminds us that there is a distinct difference between writing from the outsider and insider perspectives. As readers and writers this is worthy of more consideration–thank you Kathy for distilling the essence of a complicated matter.

]]> http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/06/29/culture-matters%e2%80%94especially-if-it%e2%80%99s-my-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-10087 Joanna Montoya Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:15:45 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=109#comment-10087 "My strong reaction to this minor detail reminds me that what I can shrug aside when the error comes from another culture is not easy to dismiss when it’s my culture". This is a good point, and I am glad to be reminded of the importance getting to know someone "at the dinner table" in order to better understand their perspective. “My strong reaction to this minor detail reminds me that what I can shrug aside when the error comes from another culture is not easy to dismiss when it’s my culture”. This is a good point, and I am glad to be reminded of the importance getting to know someone “at the dinner table” in order to better understand their perspective.

]]> http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/06/29/culture-matters%e2%80%94especially-if-it%e2%80%99s-my-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-8041 WOW Currents » Fairy Tales: Zero Tolerance? Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:24:09 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=109#comment-8041 [...] about the book meant she would not recommend it. I was reminded of what Kathy Short wrote about in Details Matter-Especially if it’s my culture! My strong reaction to this minor detail reminds me that what I can shrug aside when the error comes [...] [...] about the book meant she would not recommend it. I was reminded of what Kathy Short wrote about in Details Matter-Especially if it’s my culture! My strong reaction to this minor detail reminds me that what I can shrug aside when the error comes [...]

]]> http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/06/29/culture-matters%e2%80%94especially-if-it%e2%80%99s-my-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-8040 Ann Parker Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:20:48 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=109#comment-8040 I like Sandy's reference to personal connections, and this was really brought home by Kathy's experience. I had a student ask me in class one time what was wrong with books like The Five Chinese Brothers -- what difference did it make if they all looked the same? I think Kathy's response is a good one -- perhaps it doesn't make a difference to you, but it makes a profound difference to a child from a Chinese cultural background who might be offended, feel diminished, or who might get turned off of reading altogether. If we can't find books that speak to our personal experience, we might simply stop reading. I like Sandy’s reference to personal connections, and this was really brought home by Kathy’s experience. I had a student ask me in class one time what was wrong with books like The Five Chinese Brothers — what difference did it make if they all looked the same? I think Kathy’s response is a good one — perhaps it doesn’t make a difference to you, but it makes a profound difference to a child from a Chinese cultural background who might be offended, feel diminished, or who might get turned off of reading altogether. If we can’t find books that speak to our personal experience, we might simply stop reading.

]]> http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/06/29/culture-matters%e2%80%94especially-if-it%e2%80%99s-my-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-8039 Sandy Kaser Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:44:07 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=109#comment-8039 I think this blog entry reinforces the personal connections that literature can have for each of us. When other teachers wonder why I work so hard to include "real" literature in my reading program when they are content to use mandated anthologies, the answer is that in "real" books we can find ourselves . . . or, as this author demonstrates . . . find those personal responses that define us. Although we can have experiences vicarously through literature, we also appreciate books that reflect our personal knowledge and experiences. We find such literature supportive just as we appreciate the support of people who have experiences similar to our own . . . and are senstive to those who might want to diminish our experiences or brush them off. This entry also points out the seriousness of our journey . . . that what is meaningful to us should not be presented in a way that could be interpreted in a less than respectful stance. Ahh, how different the response when it touches our soul. I think this blog entry reinforces the personal connections that literature can have for each of us. When other teachers wonder why I work so hard to include “real” literature in my reading program when they are content to use mandated anthologies, the answer is that in “real” books we can find ourselves . . . or, as this author demonstrates . . . find those personal responses that define us. Although we can have experiences vicarously through literature, we also appreciate books that reflect our personal knowledge and experiences. We find such literature supportive just as we appreciate the support of people who have experiences similar to our own . . . and are senstive to those who might want to diminish our experiences or brush them off. This entry also points out the seriousness of our journey . . . that what is meaningful to us should not be presented in a way that could be interpreted in a less than respectful stance. Ahh, how different the response when it touches our soul.

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