20th Feb 2010
Critiquing is not Criticizing
Your blogs have been fascinating. I want to add a point, that I had hoped was clear in class. Media Literacy is used to think…to read between lines, and for social awareness. Sometimes, when we are critically aware, we are still engaged, entertained, or consume an object…that is ok. The point is that the cognitive act of being literate is important. We aren’t here to “diss” the Olympics, Disney, Nike…etc. for dissing sake…but to become socially aware of the social and economic ramifications of media. I love winter sports, I watch the Olympics…but, that does not preclude me from critiquing what I see as a colonial exercise, an exploitation of Natives, a lot of money spent, and an obsession with winning.
No one is attacking your loves and interests, we are attempting to think…something that is seldom taught in schools.
I completly agree. Some of us often forget that our opinions are valid and should be respected. I struggle at times, not be bias based on my ethical, political or social beliefs. I have opinions on specific media events that I support or dislike but it is my responsability to be sympathetic and respect the beliefs of others.
Therefore, I must be careful in how I word or phrase what I’m communicating.
Although, we have the freedom of speech, it does not mean we have the right to violate, insult, judge or persecute those for what they believe in, if we do, we are not better than those who we judge.
There is a fine line between the freedom of speech and violating the rights of others. It is true that we have the right to speak our minds but we do not have the right to intentionally hurt or use racist remarks towards others.
Are we not infringing on the rights of others if we do so? In my opnion we are. What we say is important but not enough if we are willing to ridicule, insult or degrade others.
Opinions are made to educate and inform, not to control or interogate others.
Sometimes it is appropriate to follow these famous words; If you do not have anthing nice to say then don’t
say anything at all.
I don’t know Catherine, being a researcher and teacher is not about being nice, but about being able to read the world in different ways. Discussing corporate or government media should not offend anyone, there is no judgment as to whether or not one should like something, but what that something is about.
See Blog 3, #75, last 2 or 3 paragraphs.