Why can't we talk about positive things that have happened in America?! Alll of the disussions that we have talked abou thave been SO negative. Yeah, we messed up a lot but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Let's not forget about all the good things we have done!
Kelsey,
ReplyDeleteYou ask in your post why we cannot talk about positive things that have happened in the United States. In fact, there are no lack of positive representations of the United States and its history in popular culture. Most Hollywood films, tv shows, news, political commentary and debates, even literature, promote the idea that America is an exceptional place. A classroom, however, is not the space to uncritically reproduce dominant narratives. It is, instead, a space to critically examine these narratives and to ask ourselves what purpose they serve and who benefits from them. What would be the point of education if it simply reinforces the things we already know, instead of challenging us and forcing us to think critically?
I understand that you wouldn't want to live anywhere else. The idea that America is a great place to live in is part of the larger cultural construction of the United States as exceptional and superior to everyone else in the world - it is part of this myth of American exceptionalism. But focusing on the positive things that the United States has done often requires us to ignore the long history of violence and oppression that people of color have had to face in this country - violence and oppression that still continues to be perpetuated today through institutions such as housing and education and prisons. America has always been a great place to live in, yes, but for some people, not all. So, I would like you to consider how white privilege and class privilege enables some people to have positive experiences living in the United States while denying those experiences to others.
In fact, judging by your blog post, you are not actually challenging that the histories and experiences of people of color we have been discussing in class have been inaccurately portrayed or misrepresented. Instead, you're arguing that we should focus on other things that represent the United States in a more positive light. Should we whitewash this aspect of U.S. history then or ignore these experiences so it's more appealing to us or because thinking about these things makes us uncomfortable? Should we focus on "positive" things then simply so we can feel better? Again, a classroom should not be seen as a place that does either.
In any case, the question as to whether America is a great place to live in or not is largely irrelevant and usually does nothing more than distract us from the very real social, economic, and racial problems facing our society today. How are we to solve these problems and understand them in their full complexities, if we keep getting embroiled in discussions over whether America is the best or not?
Finally, I want to note that your weekly blog posts need to more substantive than this. While we encourage everyone to use the blog to post questions and concerns, your weekly posts should be well thought out commentaries or observations related in some way to the material we have been discussing in class. If you are confused as to what the requirements for the blog posts are, please refer to the course syllabus. Also, don’t hesitate to email us if you have any further questions concerning the blog.