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Remember you have a blog due from the break, and to bring your discourse responses from olympics watching to class with your name on it.

The Hip Hop Symposium is from 7-9pm on Thursday, and you will be given 5% extra credit for class if you attend and do a blog on the evening. There will be performances and it should be quite fantastic.

See you Monday

Blog 8- The Need to Apologize

Unless you’ve been living under a large rock for the past week, you’re probably privy to the sorted details of Tiger Woods’ private life, public indiscretions and recent apology on national television. As a number of commentators have mentioned, the world came to a virtual standstill this past Friday as the planet’s most famous athlete and highest paid celebrity publically apologized to his wife, his family and his business partners (though not in that order) for what was essentially a series of extramarital affairs.

Tiger Woods\' full apology

The discussion here today is not to bandy about the morality of Tiger’s actions (I’m not sure anyone would argue that he was in the right) but rather to consider what Tiger Woods owes the world in light of his private affairs. Why does an individual need to apologize in public, on national (and international) television for a private matter? Why do we, as his adoring public, feel he owes us an apology? Given that millions of men have affairs and few have to reveal to the world their indiscretions (unless they’re the governor of South Carolina…), is it ludicrous that we expect him to spill the sorted details of his life for public scrutiny?

Tiger Woods has received a lot from us. He is the world’s wealthiest athlete. He is universally famous. He has become a powerful voice. Does he consequently owe the public a debt of obligation to explain himself in these times? Or do we label our obsession over the details of his affairs and the intricacies of his marriage as little more than voyeurism? Can a private matter be simply that: private?

Robert LeBlanc

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.

Hi all, I hope you have a terrific break. A few notes about the next two weeks:

For the break, you are to watch some of the Olympics…the purpose is to analyze the language used in describing the participants. Specifically, how is language used for males and for females? Is there a difference? What about the few athletes who are not “white?” Is there discussion involved in their “difference?” How is Canada discussed in the Olympics? And, most recently, what is the discussion about First Nations/Aboriginal people during the Olympics? As we discussed in class, Canada made the First Nations performers up front and then put in the back….is this being done during the games? Is there a Native presence at the games? Bring these remarks to class on March 1st. Make sure your names are on the paper. Don’t expect to find “anything,” just listen and observe. What are ads used during the Olympics? Is there anything discussed about Canada’s future after the Olympics? Will the Olympics help Canadians in any tangible ways?

Also…..in regard to March 4th, from 7-9PM, that is our Hip Hop Conference. It is geared to students in education, and I think you will enjoy it. If you attend, and then do a blog on it, you will receive 5 extra points….or, you can skip one blog, and get the 5 points. NOTE, you still must blog on this conference. Meaning that your total possible points for the class would be 105 out of 100. Email me if this is not clear.

FOR BLOGS: Yes, you blog this week. On the topic of your choice, I suggest the Olympics, and your impressions. Check out this video for thought on the opening ceremonies…

Enjoy your break….

POSTSCRIPT- ‘WHAT MAKES THE RED MAN RED’: For those of you interested in the way aboriginal identity has been constructed in media, take a look at this clip from Disney’s Peter Pan.