Identifying Identity (for Disruptive Tech)

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Cross-posted from my Disruptive Technologies course blog. 

This week’s readings (“An Introduction to Discourse Analysis Theory and method” by Gee (1999), and The Medium is the Massage by McLuhan & Fiore (1967)) provided interesting fodder for an analysis of identity. In particular, Team Tiger (aka Group 2) focused on the following themes as they related to the concept of identity: d/Discourse Analysis, Recognition, Individualism/Authorship, and Context.

Language and communication impact identity. Gee shows (through Discourse Analysis) the ability to deconstruct a speaker’s personality and values. In essence, we “enact” language for purposes of representing a particular identity, while at the same time, language constructs an identity for us. It provides the ability to share our inner thoughts and ideas, but also shapes how we can communicate these effectively.

Many members in our group found the ideas in Gee’s “Real Indian” section particularly compelling. Roi has personally experienced the contextually-defined aspect of Japanese-American identity while navigating different spaces. Laura spent last summer living on an Ojibwe reservation and found it disconcerting that Gee did not mention (what she had experienced as being) the biggest deciding factor of “Real Indian” recognition–poverty. MJ posited that student groups also hold strong opinions and ideals that directly influence their identities. Recognizing, identifying, and understanding the implications of those interactions is something that is often not a focus for teachers, but should be.

While the two may seem dichotomous, it may be possible for collaboration to feed and nurture individualism. Individual identity [at least in the United States] is still the dominant definition of ‘identity’ and collective identity seems to take a back seat. However, the two can develop alongside each other. Just because more than one person contributes to a piece of work, individual input can still be important and recognized.

McLuhan & Fiore illustrates how context and content are inherently intertwined in The Medium is the Massage. Our senses cannot be turned off. They play a huge role in how we situate ourselves within our communities the roles that we play. With new technological advances (and their impact on how we receive communication), comes the “reshaping and restructuring patterns of social interdependence and every aspect of our personal life” (McLuhan & Fiore, 1966, pg. 3).

Identity influences (and is influenced by) multiple and interrelated factors. Gee and McLuhan & Fiore tease a few of these out–d/Discourse Analysis, Recognition, Individualism/Authorship, and Context. Understanding the links and their relationships help educators appreciate both students and the learning process.

Image is Girl Before a Mirror, Pablo Picasso, Boisgeloup, March 1932. Oil on canvas, 64 x 51 1/4″ (162.3 x 130.2 cm). Gift of Mrs. Simon Guggenheim. © 2012 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Speaking at NAEA!

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One of my advisors made an appeal to the National Art Education Association to have a Penn State panel discuss the Sandusky scandal at our 2012 national conference–and guess who will be part of it! I’m very nervous, but excited to share what we’ve accomplished. Here are the details of our session:

DAY: Friday, March 2 
TIME: 3:00 – 4:20 PM
CATEGORY, PRESENTATION FORMAT, LOCATION, TITLE, AND DESCRIPTION:
HIGHER EDUCATION
Best Practice Lecture
PRESENTER(S):
Former and Current Penn State Art Education Students and Faculty          
Laura March 
Yuha Jung
Lillian Lewis 
Natalia Pilato 
Wanda Knight
B. Stephen Carpenter, II
This session is a conversation with Art Education faculty and students to discuss how and what we, our students and our community, are doing in the shadow of the tragic series of events that resulted from the child molestation scandal at our university. The session is not limited to Penn State alone, but intended to serve as a public space where art education faculty and students from across the nation and internationally can gather for a time of healing and an open discussion about the egregious social injustice that occurred at our university.  Within a climate of silence perpetuated by academic, institutional, and corporate strongholds—those who failed to speak up and take action in defense of innocent, powerless children to speak for and defend themselves—Penn State art education refuses to remain without voice. We believe that the spectacle that is now Penn State presents a pedagogical moment and an opportunity to discuss the ways art educators can and must respond. We can only imagine the magnitude of this scandal and other injustices that will emerge. While much of the news media has rendered a negative image of our institution, we believe that it is imperative that the responsible and responsive actions of our students and faculty are shared and discussed within a larger cultural context. A most notable example of such action is the Blue Out—a community wide public event to raise awareness and fight child abuse, which was initiated by one of our graduate students in Art Education. We see in this community action the collective power of public pedagogy in the name of social justice and positive social action, and a first step among many as we begin a process of healing. We invite you to join us.

Remembrance

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I wanted to post the slideshow I made for my father’s memorial service. The individual photos are available through a Picasa/Google+ Album. Thank you for your condolences and sympathy, I couldn’t imagine getting through this without my amazing family and friends.