Summary
“Another problem with the use of African films in the classroom has to
do with teachers‘ limited knowledge of the African reality. Leading a discussion
on film on Africa is a daunting challenge for a teacher with no knowledge of
African history, literature, or anthropology. As a result, the teacher has no other
option than to allow the film itself to be the teacher without any critical
discussion to provide a more comprehensive view of the subject matter. The
lack of depth in the discussion of the enactments can be problematic, as many
films about Africa are often presented in stereotypical ways or from very limited
viewpoints. For instance, while mainstream media has covered wars in African
nations, it has done so from a western point of view. Local (African) writers,
reporters, and actual victims, who in many cases directly and indirectly
experienced these wars firsthand, often do not get the opportunities to express
their views and experiences.”
According to the article “African-Born Immigrants in U.S. Schools: An Intercultural Perspective on Schooling and Diversity” on the paragraph I have chosen is pointing out the issue regarding the circumstance that teachers are not able to briefly teach out of knowledge about the African culture. This includes history based off African history, literature, and anthropology. Also pointing out to be a main problem in the school system, it is also concerning that African Americans don’t have the opportunity to speak out for their own culture in these videos. I can agree and find this to be unfair, as we all should have the voice to speak out for our culture. It can be frustrating hearing about your homeland without someone that doesn’t have the proper knowledge and understanding of your Country. I can say from the top of my head I haven’t learned much of what had taken place in Africa, I do believe most of my knowledge do come from movies based on true events.
Even though those films I have watched before states it was based on true stories, it makes me wonder if it’s all true. Sometimes we’re just seeing one side of the story. We missed the probability of knowing the whole truth. I think this is what this paragraph is trying to have us understand. We tend to judge from what we see instead of investigating before making assumption.
My source is a news report by “PBS NewsHour” from this year regarding an African American studies class having students who engaged on it. Even though they are learning what interest them. Some people still do not agree with the teaching of these lessons. I picked this video because it shows the system being against African American learning about their culture and what their people have gone through. This is important because it’s aiming towards taking away someone’s freedom as so freedom of speech. Now why always go after African American?!
My source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14-cAgbEAns
