Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id i2UJKGm03903; Tue, 30 Mar 2004 14:20:16 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 14:20:16 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <002001c4168b$ab6e3c10$0200a8c0@mlk> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Sissy Kegley" <sissy.kegley@verizon.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10147] Re: layers of meaning X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.3416 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 2045 Lines: 55 I'm confused also by some messages. To clarify, to the extent that there has been response to my example related to the word, "foreigner": I chose that particular word because it appeared in the original message I was addressing. I used an example which I think supported my point, although perhaps I didn't give sufficient context of the situation, which is that: following a lengthy unit on globalization and the ways in which day laborers and other low-wage workers are discriminated against, the learners in my class were reviewing related-vocabulary. The curriculum and the language learning was entirely related to their lives, and had been developed in the previous sessions by their peers. One of the words which they asked me about was "foreigner", and they told me it offended them. In this particular situation, I was not an immigrant. I was not the one who decided what was offensive. I strive to "look.. at <myself> critically and admit.. to <myself> who < I > really < am >" as has been suggested by Eugenio. We lived in Africa a couple of years ago. I was frequently offended by vocabulary, even though I was well aware of the bigger context. When I looked for work, and saw ads saying that non-nationals were not welcome, I was offended. Of course, my reaction was emotional. In fact, one of the lessons I learned was that after a lifetime of feeling guilt, discomfort, anger, etc for being associated with my country of origin, the US, I was better served by learning from the people in that culture. As a nation which had not secured its independence until 1990, there was a genuine pride for the country among all its residents. I learned that if I was angry about my country, the most constructive thing I could do was to come back here and do something about it. At any rate, I stand by my example. I think it is an assumption to portray this as an issue of political correctedness. Sissy Kegley ESOL/Adult Education (301) 588-4333 home office (301) 467-5364 cellular sissy.kegley@verizon.net
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