In Joanne Dowdy’s interview with Christina Mcvay, they discuss Mcvay’s experiences as an instructor of Pan African studies. Mcvay is Caucasian, which raises the question: How can a White woman truly understand such a topic? She describes her life growing up when she says, “And it’s the fact that I grew up in a pretty tidy, White disciplined environment.” Although she lived in such an environment, she shows a genuine interest in the topic of Black Women and literature. I honestly admire her outlook on African American language and literature. She sees a sense of hope for young Black people, especially women. Mcvay uses unique strategies to help her students appreciate their culture as it relates to African American literature. She introduces a “slang dictionary” where her students list slang words and definitions for these words. As a result, these students begin to show an appreciation for their culture. By emphasizing the works of Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison, Mcvay displays a world of Black, female intellectuals whom her students can relate to. Mcvay expresses the importance of Black, female authors and how she learns important lessons from them. She believes that studying the works of Morrison, Hurston and Alice Walker made her a different person. Because she learns life lessons from these authors, she can transmit these ideas to her students. In effect, she empowers them by relating these works to their lives and uplifting them. She says, “They’re making connections between what we read in this piece of literature and their own experiences.” I believe that literature should be analyzed by paralleling personal experiences to the stories presented in the text. In this case, her students understand the works by examining their own lives. I respect Mcvay as an instructor. She places her students on a heightened intellectual level where she not only teaches her students, but she learns from them. This idea is very important in terms of educating our youth. I strongly believe that Mcvay is a positive influence for not only her students but for other educators, who show an authentic desire to educate Black women. Interestingly, when she addresses her students she notes, “But I can’t bring the Blackness to what we’re doing. That’s your job. And in fact I learn from my students.” She goes on to say, “I’m never going to pretend to be an expert on Blackness. And they appreciate that.”She shows a level of respect for her students, which boosts their self-esteem. Young, Black women need this confidence in order to be successful. I believe that at Spelman College we are surrounded by professors who lead us in a positive direction.
-Phenomenal Woman LT
Lauren Tripplett
I found it interesting that you commented on the fact that Mcvay ..."not only teaches her students, but she learns from them." After reading this in your blog, it made me think of ADW and the construction of Knowledge. It made me think of how we discussed in ADW that learning should be taking place between both teacher and student. I love how Mcvay does this. it also makes her connect with her students more. It's too bad that we don't have more teachers like her in the school systems.
ReplyDeleteJerrika Leslie
It is important for young Black students to remember that their take on the English language and their culture as a whole is important. Growing up, so many young Black children are taught that the way they speak is incorrect and that there is no time for slang. I was never brought up to speak anything other than what was thought of as 'proper' English, but at the same time, I was not taught that the use of slang was bad. But I do remember growing up and even as a third-grader I remembered hearing students speak and their use of certain words that did not sound proper to me. I would correct them with what I thought was 'proper' English, and I think my just general lack of slang at that time made me come off as a know-it-all, or what my fellow students would deem as 'actiung white'. I think the most important idea that came out of this interview is whatever you speak, whether it be standard English or slang, know that it is all valued and one is no better than the other, but rather, know the appropriate conventions of using slang and standard English, and appreciate the different ways each allows you to express your thoughts and ideas.
ReplyDeleteJasmine Bryant