Feelings About Blogging

In Te 448, the atmosphere is extremely relaxed. I feel as a class we are able to discuss our feelings and thoughts on the books and course readings we are reading. Sometimes however, people may feel intimidated to say what they feel in fear of going against someone else. Having to write in a blog for class is beneficial for both reasons. We are able to express our feelings throughouly without fear and we can dissect specific parts of the readings we want to spend more time talking about.
Last class during our discussion of Habibi I am sure I felt differently than most people in the class. Being Jewish, I felt the book held very negative stereotypes towards Jews and the Israeli people. No one in class seemed to hold an opinion other than that or at least no other opinions were expressed. I would never hold anything agaisnt anyone not seeing this book as a negative stereotype towards Jews. I wonder if feelings were changed after seeing the controversy portrayed in the West Bloomfield School District or just our general talk in class. I like being able to go onto our classroom's blog and see everyone's blog in hopes they discussed some of their thoughts towards the book.
Once you feel passionate about a topic its hard to stop talking about it. Blogging allows one to continue to express their feelings to the fullest without the need to stop.

Insider/Outsider Debate

"We can only draw with authenticity upon emotions we've known and tasted", Dorris states in the article "Native Americans in Children's Literature". This quote represents how important it is to be an insider when writing a book based on sterotypes or a particular ethnicity, religion and race. As a reader I feel an author that is considered an insider of that particular group has the life experience to truly capture what is trying to be said. These insiders would be "less likely to portray Natives as heroic or mystical individuals" (Reese, 159). However, the most important issue is being accurate about everything written. So whose to say an outsider does not know just as much as in insider? Being raised in a Jewish household I have plenty of knowledge about the religion. My friend Danny however, was raised Catholic and has chosen to study Judiasm for the past three years studying hebrew and the Torah. I am the insider, He is the outsider yet I would feel more comfortable about him writing a book based on the religion than me. I feel its important to be an insder because the writing is more authentic but accuracy is what I would look for. Both an Insider or Outsider can get the job done!