I completely agree with Turner and Hicks; I think ability to understand and participate in civic discourse is one of the many goals of teaching. Students who have opportunities to engage in critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning are more prepared for experiences in the outside world and more comfortable or familiar with their own thoughts and thought processes. However, my sarcastic question above, what is civic discourse, stems from a personal skepticism of that word "discourse."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, discourse is, "to hold discourse; to converse, confer; to speak with another or others, to talk, converse. Frequently with preposition (esp. about, of, upon): to engage in discussion or conversation about a particular matter." This definition involves a conversation– a give and a take between two or more people. However, in our current social climate, I don't see much give and take– an exchange between one who speaks and one who listens. I understand this is a bit of a sweeping generalization, but I am basing this assertion off of my personal observations and statements of others. I do not see very much "discourse" on the news, in politics, or even with my own family during birthday or holiday gatherings– "don't bring up Donald Trump, uncle Al will get angry."
I hate to quote the same person two blogs in a row, but Brene Brown is a bad a** so here you go, "we make the uncertain certain, "I'm right your wrong, shut up" ... this is what politics looks like today, there is no discourse anymore, there is no conversation, there's just blame." I see this; I see this when uncle Al starts yelling in defense of trump and my cousin storms off; I see this when newscasters yell back and forth at one another, and what started out as a conversation erupts into a screaming match. There is a lot of tension right now, a lot of rage, and everyone seems to be pointing fingers.
I think this tense climate needs to be considered when it comes to teaching students writing and argument crafting. Linda Christensen writes, "teaching essay writing requires a nonnegotiable belief that students can write, and that they have something important to say." So, how do we encourage students to speak out and trust what they have something important to say when it feels safer to just remain silent?
Tom McSteen offers some advice in his blog post, "Hearing Every Voice." In his short, and refreshingly honest article, he writes, "When people do not feel heard, they are more likely to be dismissive of others’ voices. And, when people feel heard, they are more likely to allow others to be heard, in turn." I know this sounds optimistic, and I will admit, I don't think everyone is ready to sit criss cross in a circle and listen to everyone's opinions, but I do think with patients and effort we can try and regain space for discourse.
As far as in the classroom, I think we can take a cue from Linda Christensen– she is focused on hearing every voice and giving all students an opportunity to be heard. On page 129, in chapter 3, Christensen writes about one student who wrote an essay that pretty much the whole class disagreed with, and, although Christensen also disagreed, she still appreciated the students writing and use of metaphor.
Perhaps part of it is giving students assignments that require them to use their voice and think for themselves. Maybe this is what makes for a meaningful writing assignment within our increasingly divided, and sometimes hostile, social conversation.
Works Cited:
"discourse, v." OED Online, Oxford University Press, July 2018, www.oed.com/view/Entry/53986. Accessed 22 October 2018.
"Brown, Brene. "The Power of Vulnerability." TED. June. 2010. Lecture. Source: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability#t-1042498
Maddsters, you and I used the same Christensen quote, and I love it. Our students DO and WILL have something important to say. We need to allow them the freedom to write about their experiences, their feelings, and their thoughts because that's what generates the best writing. Realness, rawness, and experience. I think it makes total sense to allow them the freedoms of writing while still following a prompt of some sort, or a specific style. Give some guidelines, but trust that you as their teacher have taught them how to construct a well thought out and organized piece of writing, and that they know how to revise and edit correctly.
ReplyDeleteUgh. I love it so much. Your blog always makes my mind go all over, in the best possible way. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Maddy!
ReplyDeleteI can agree with you that I don't believe that people are exactly willing to sit criss cross apple sauce and sing Kumbaya together to talk about politics. Its definitely something that I believe everyone needs to work on. Ways we can do this is by teaching our students the skills to create an argument with strong supporting evidence in their writing which will then transfer into their own discourse!
Really good points Maddy. We're definitely in agreement when it comes to the current landscape of discourse. It's definitely scary and every day I get a little more wary and depressed about the way partisanship has encroached common sense and reason in politics. I'm unspeakably angry at all of these bombs that have been delivered to Trump's enemy's over the last couple of days and the usual disregard of honor and sensitivity that comes with it. It's a difficult thing to do, but I still wholeheartedly believe that everyone deserves the right to voice their opinion as long as they aren't being hateful. There are going to be times when students are going to come up to us behaving like little Donald Trumps that think the world owes them everything and they will fight tooth and nail to get their way. Our job is to try and unwind those impulsive reactions to the things they disagree with and instill in them a sense of respect for everyone in the classroom community.
ReplyDeleteHi Maddy,
ReplyDeleteI love Peanuts!! I laughed out loud when you said civic argument, what’s that again? I sincerely believe everyone should read Turner and Hicks’ book. It is really that simple, be civil. Guess not as it is not happening considering today’s social media trend especially with Trump’s constant mock and insults.
Also, I am in your boat about the balcony of the politics nowadays. I just could not fathom how people could be the enablers to the wrongdoings. Ugh.