In the Kraehe and Brown (2011) research article, they emphasized that topics on race, gender, and class are important one to discuss with students since social inequality is one that almost everyone faces in some way. They discussed how art, ranging from collages to skits to videos, could work as the medium of expression, working to normalize expression. In the Real Life book, the empowerment of women went a long way since Anda, the main character, was able to help bring about change in a whole different continent, through the means of video games.
Personally, I do not game so I had no experience with the whole making a player or collecting gold that Anda’s character did. However, I do relate to her experience of feeling helpless in a world where she wanted to help. It can be hard to watch the news and sit back doing nothing when I see people suffering. That is one reason why I want to be a teacher. In my current job working with 4th graders, I do open up the space to talk about hard topics during our ‘team talks’ where we have touched on the topic of gender stereotypes and religious intolerance. I never considered using art as the medium for my students’ expression. It is definitely something I am incorporating into my lesson plan.
What can educators do to become more informed on various injustices, enough to where they can discuss it with their students?
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