Week 5 Post: The Perpetuation of Stereotyping and Racism

Blog Post Week 5

Holliday et. al. A 2.1, A 2.2, A 2.3

Kuma Chapt 5

Kuma (2003)

In the Holliday texts, we read several stories about individuals that we as educators will most likely come into contact with. The first scenario, with the Amis-like family, is something that we may need to pay specific attention to as to not offend our students as well as not to patronize them as we read later in the chapter as well.
While the main thing to keep in mind is not only to not “other” someone or a culture, but understand why we subconsciously “other” someone. It is hard to not subconsciously other someone because it is basic human nature to be opposed to something so different from yourself. When we understand this and act on it, we can start to change how we outwardly act.

In Kumaravadivelu’s article on Cultural stereotypes, I found it interesting how using a blanket term “Asian” for the various types of cultures is a problem. I am guilty in using this blanket term and did not know the problems from it. Also it states that a common stereotype for an Asian is that they lack critical thinking skills. That is a stereotype that I have never heard either. I do however, feel the need to question the purpose of Kumaravadivelu’s extreme explanations of his specific findings that prove these stereotypes wrong. He goes on and on problematizing each stereotype, which I believe is a good thing. But for some reason that I can’t explain, I don’t feel like he is making the greatest point. I see that these stereotypes are not correct. Wouldn’t most people who are reading scholarly journal articles agree as well? But that, alas, is another stereotype I just made.

It is easy to see that it is almost impossible to not stereotype something/one in some way subconsciously. Everyone does it. And if stereotypes (some) aren’t at least true in some tiny way, where the heck did they come from? We should not let them dictate out beliefs in any means, but I think it is important to try to understand maybe where they came from and if there is some possibility of validity in it.

Something else that caught my eye was when the article states that a time that gives an Asian student who is learning their L2 the most anxiety is when they need to participate in class. That is so sad. I wonder what are some ways around this and how can teachers make this transition easier and less stressful. In our methods classes we are taught to get all of the students involved as much as possible, but if it truly gives a student tremendous anxiety and fear, that would defiantly hinder their learning and possibly traumatize them.

What does this specifically mean? “I have come across U.S. students who are excellent critical thinkers. I have also come across U.S. students who seem to believe that critical thinking is hazardous to their intellectual health (Kuma 2003 713).”

What I found most interesting in this article was when it talked about why we stereotype. The idea that we may stereotype because aversive racism. That idea that stereotypes are ingrained by a racist system and perpetuated by aspects of contemporary culture seems reasonable, especially being perpetuated by contemporary culture. We all know that stereotyping is wrong, but we usually laugh at comedians who make jokes about it, as long as it is not mean. Those comedians are usually making those jokes about their own race because that makes it “ok.” But does it really? It just continues to perpetuate stereotypes, even if it is within one’s own culture/race. Because when someone from outside that race or culture sees them making jokes, they laugh and think, “well if they think it’s true, it must be true.” This is perpetuating racism and stereotypes.