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Would you be interested in doing school visits?
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A philosophy that drives what I do is 'You become whatever you immerse yourself into.' That 'whatever' here is what books we read and the 'inner group' we discuss them with. This paradigm here between all of us in an educational setting would promote these same achievable ideals while inspiring students to read. If we are to have change, the new generation must also see it as well, or they will be washed with the problem we are faced with now.
I currently use Emma's UN speech in my high school English classes. It's a great tool for teaching author's purpose, audience, rhetorical devices, diction/syntax, and a generally well-structured argument. So, in a way, Emma can indeed visit!
True enough. But this needs to be larger than a classroom reading of her speech to achieve standards. It should be more widespread. Though that's helpful, it's the actual application of it that's huge. Immersing students and promoting this type of literature and positive reinforcement is the next step. Sometimes a teacher can't just take that next step alone. Sometimes that next step is extracurricular. For those tough situations, additional 'encouragement' is needed. I'm looking for a way to get students excited as well as looking for a way to change their outlooks on life. Perhaps a way to get students involved in this type of program she has with us, even if it's outside of curriculum or if curriculum needs to be written for it.
I think gender inequality is a little more prevalent in undergraduate and graduate institutions than in high school. For instance, STEM fields are known as more masculine fields while humanities are characterized by femininity. If anything, this needs to change. I know so many women who are interested in math or science but they won't try it because they're so intimidated by the gender imbalance. Not only does this hurt women, but also the field in question. If STEM careers are dominated by men, the decisions that tech corporations take will have little to no female influence, and that can potentially be disastrous. Therefore, I think it is important for people like Emma to visit university campuses, where students will be thinking independently rather than under the shadows of teachers and parents. Influencing young minds when they are free of these limiting factors will prove much more effective than trying to explain these things to high schoolers or middle schoolers who don't necessarily understand the gravity of the situation since the majority of them have not been subjected to male dominance yet.
There's a lot that goes on at a high school. The entire structure can be counter-productive at times. I wouldn't shelter students from reality any more than they are. There the same as me. So Ashley while I do agree that it happens in various fields, one of those is education. And students see that. These students I'm talking about must be prepared to face college and life, and sheltering them until they get there and not preparing them is useless to the cause. They will enter those arenas in less than 2-3 years and some live that life daily at home. After all, as I've stated, they are the new generation. And that fact is of great importance.
I think it would be a great idea if Emma would visit schools. Many teens and younger people are so uninformed about feminism and gender equality. We should open their eyes, we should do something against brainwashing media!
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That would be so great! I'm 16 years old and the boys in my class use the word 'feminist' if they want to insult me, they truly think it is some sort of sect, feminism. But it's just soooo wonderful to see how some teachers really really care <3
Not to be a downer, but the reality is this will likely not happen. Not only would her schedule have to allow for it, but the security needed to do these events might be cost prohibitive, especially for underserved districts. A more realistic thing might be periodic talks given at universities that high school students are encouraged to attend. I was able to hear Margaret Atwood speak because she did one of these talks at Notre Dame. (Side note: Taylor Swift's brother attends Notre Dame and she was able to visit the campus without incident. I doubt she would have been able to do so at a high school.) Now, what might be more feasible is if she was able to do a Skype session with a classroom. That would eliminate the security need. Or, even more feasible, would be to contact the authors of the books we're reading and ask if they are able to do a Skype discussion. As an author, I know that many of my colleagues do this and they are happy to do so. This might not be possible with Gloria Steinem, but with future authors it could be something to consider.
I agree with Erin. I think your idea is great, in theory, but I just don't see it being feasible. Every teacher would be scrambling to get Emma into their classrooms! In terms of encouraging your students to embrace these topics outside of the classroom, however -- have you considered setting up something similar to the platform we have here? A book club of sorts? I'm sure it all depends on your school's administration, but my high school offers clubs in which students meet during lunch. They're all student-led, which is pretty cool; students choose a teacher as their adviser. You could definitely get your students reading and discussing books outside of their assigned curriculum that way. You'd be able to facilitate some awesome discussions!
As a high school student myself, I'd like to chip in my opinion: having anyone visit school is great, as long as they're not a boring speaker. I've loved the many author talks I've been to at school. But I can see that someone like Emma wouldn't plausibly be able to do something like that. But on the off chance that she did.... That would be so very exciting!
Whether or not Emma accepts my invitation at some point in the future isn't more important than realizing we will have a continued issue if we don't focus on the younger generations. I will use an analogy. This is my analogy so please if you use it, give credit.
You knock over a bottle of Coke.
Sure it's an accident. But it's been done. It needs correction. What do you do? It's beginning to gush on to the floor.
What's your immediate reaction?
Your immediate reaction is to bend over and pick up the bottle. Why? Because that's the recurring source. Pick up the bottle and you can have "damage control." No more will gush out, and you can clean up what did.
You bend over, pick up the bottle while you throw a towel on what spilt.
After some cleaning on the floor it's over.
While this is not as easy as changing mentalities and cultivating wiser thought, it's the same strategy.
If we don't "target" the younger generation as much if not more than everyone else, then we won't make ground on progress. They won't understand and will operate just as they have been instilled to. Most assimilation will occur without these cultivated understandings, and we will have made no ground.
I'm not saying brainwash. I'm not saying "grow them up young."
But teach them what we learned in life.
Teach them so they may live better than we.
Teach them so they may live and know to teach what they learned to theirs.
Teach them.
I don't think anyone is arguing against teaching the younger generation. I don't think anyone is even arguing against having feminist speakers go into the schools and giving talks. It's just not very realistic to have someone like Emma do it when the costs of her being there (even if she didn't charge a fee) would be more than most schools could afford. But no one is saying don't teach feminist topics or don't point out gender inequality in the classroom.
I agree its not plausible for Emma to visit a school herself, but the Skype idea seems pretty good. I think encouraging school students will be a very good first step to promote feminism, and Emma would be such a great and inspiring role model. It would be incredible if she could do this!
I agree that Skype would be interesting to explore. One of my colleagues is a writer himself, and he's been able to "bring" published authors into the classroom for his students via that platform. I've sat in on a few discussions. They're pretty neat.And as Erin said, we're all on board with you. We all agree that these are crucial issues for students to grasp. It's just that getting Emma, herself, is going to be difficult to navigate.
Well a notion was presented that high schoolers and middle schoolers couldn't handle this. Honestly, anyone that says that doesn't know students. And not to mention that gender studies is HUGE in the English field. Ever since its emergence quite a bit ago, it's taken the field by storm. To the point where it's become more popular to do gender studies over historical and autobiographical and etymological scholarship. In the literary theories, it beats out Marxism, deconstruction, and reader response. It's just that popular. I want to validate my reasoning for asking, while explaining my philosophy that we must target the younger generation even more than any other. Otherwise, we won't make progress anywhere else because we'll have a new wave of the same thinking. If Emma Watson does read this, this is equally my proposal, and I'd stick to my word to help out on it.
Yep, they can absolutely handle it! I just finished teaching Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," and my classes had some awesome discussions about gender roles -- both in the United States (where I teach) and globally. It opens the doors to honest conversation, cultural studies, exploration, research... And the earlier, the better. You'd certainly have to scaffold those discussions for younger students, but I've seen it done in middle/elementary schools, too.
A good one for high school would be "Yellow Wallpaper." Have any of you read that one?
I suggested that title 10 minutes after I joined the group. LOL It's a fantastic short story, as is "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin.
Indeed. Probably the entry level texts. The ground floor so to speak.
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I have a suggestion, though I do not know how plausible it would be. But, what if Miss Watson were to consider doing a tour like a singer would? Instead of having a concert however, she would be able to hold lectures. With such a busy schedule, I know it seems an unlikely feat, but can you all imagine how inspiring it would be to see Emma herself up on a stage, sharing her knowledge and the knowledge of others in front of thousands of people? Security would not be so much of an issue in this case as personal security could be hired, as well as however else a celebrity would go about securing an area such as Vector Arena would. She could travel to the major cities this way and possibly do international events. If time allowed, of course.
I think it's a very good idea and I pretty sure that Emma will be more than happy to go to school, if she has the opportunity. But...I think you kinda missing the purpose of the movement by asking that. Of course, it would be great and efficient for Emma to come and explain it to the students. But that not her job. That OUR job.
The objective of Emma was to raise awareness about gender equality and to make people think and act about it. She has done it, more and more people like you have join the movement and begin to act with your student. You just need to think about how to do it and about what you can bring to the student, by yourself. It won't be perfect and you could even miss some point, but it will be a hundred time more relevant that is Emma would to do it at your place. Because you pass a lot of time with your students and you know them. You know what they liked, how they think and how you can touch them. And if you put heart into it, you can be sure to touch some people, who will at their turn getting involve with the gender equality and who will make other people think about it.
You have get the message of Emma. It's your turn to give your message at your student, to raise awareness about gender equality. That the role of everybody here.
(I hoped that I'm clear about what I'm meaning)
Akhénaton wrote: "I think it's a very good idea and I pretty sure that Emma will be more than happy to go to school, if she has the opportunity. But...I think you kinda missing the purpose of the movement by asking..."
Well put!
I'm going to reiterate something I said earlier in the thread because it really is doable.If you are a teacher (or you know one who is interested in promoting feminism in the classroom), contact the author of the texts you are reading. Obviously, Charlotte Perkins Gillman has been dead for a very long time, but choosing contemporary feminist writers along with the classical ones would be a good idea. Many authors are excited about connecting with students and book clubs. Skype is the easiest way to do it, but I do know of people who visit classrooms in person. If you never ask, the answer will always be no.
I do like the Skype idea. But this contradict the rather negative post about doing it by myself. Doing this alone is wrong. That's why we have each other. I consider this not a hierarchy, but a mutual and equal bond. Really I could ask each one of you to be involved with me students. Sometimes bringing in someone other than the usual teacher inspires students. Please, I ask you treat the idea of teachers nicely.
Luke,Maybe I'm not understanding your meaning, but you appear (to me) to be getting upset when there isn't cause to. We are treating the idea of teachers nicely. No one is asking you to do things alone. What we have said is that it is unrealistic to expect Emma Watson to do everything, everywhere, all the time. She has done what she set out to do and that's bring together people who value gender equality and give us a place to discuss. For myself, I would be thrilled to speak to your students. Tell me what grades and the level of classes you teach, and I will prepare something on the value of theory and how it can enhance our understanding of literature, and by extension of life. I will use examples of my favorite feminist critical essays and then show them how that can be applied to the literature they're reading. Or to the encounters they are having. I can make it for for whatever subject you teach if I'm given enough time.
I am a teenager, and I think that myself and people my age get easily influenced by what we hear. It would be amazing if Emma Watson did school visits and encouraged gender equality and how to help.
Erin wrote: "Luke,Maybe I'm not understanding your meaning, but you appear (to me) to be getting upset when there isn't cause to. We are treating the idea of teachers nicely. No one is asking you to do things..."
Seconded! Nobody is trying to put you down, Luke. I, too, am a teacher. We're just trying to point out that, although such an idea would be fantastic, it's more than likely that Emma won't be able to manage it. I'm sure she has an incredibly packed schedule already.
Honestly I was beginning to be upset when someone told me I lost the purpose. Especially considering I was throwing ideas that would help the cause. Whether or not Emma Watson did school visits or someone else who had the time and influence, the younger generation needs probably more focus than any other area. As soon as I get the ability and resources, I think Skype is a fantastic idea.
Luke wrote: "Honestly I was beginning to be upset when someone told me I lost the purpose. Especially considering I was throwing ideas that would help the cause. Whether or not Emma Watson did school visits or ..."Skype would be a wonderful idea! I'd be overjoyed to participate and ask questions for Emma and the authors of the books we're reading. I attend an online school. so I'd love to have an opportunity to take part in something inspiring and interesting rather than my normal studies! Please keep me posted on this!
Savannah wrote: "I think that it would also be a good idea for members to have meet ups in cities together. They could have their own once a month meet up with fellow readers to discuss the book and the issues brou..."I honestly think this is such a good idea!!!! Anyone in Sydney /Central Coast area interested?? :D
Would you be interested in doing school visits? I'm a high school English teacher (or rather will be soon enough once I get my license and finish up my Ed classes), and I know students would be inspired not only to read but to understand the world around them through the word. Not only to be more inspired to read but to choose literature that will have a positive impact upon them as well. Perhaps promoting literature that promotes goodwill and love could reshape their perspectives and outlooks on life despite their struggles. This is just a thought for the future, if you'd be interested.
Thank you for representing what we all should.
LHJ