Each week, I will post a set of questions for the discussion board. Respond to ONE of my questions (an original response) and then respond to TWO of your classmates’ responses (within your section). This means you will write a total of THREE short responses each week (100-150 words, short responses and over-casual responses will be marked incomplete, the deadline for completing all three responses is Fridays at midnight).
In these comments, your writing should be clear, concise, and constructive. You should engage specifically with my questions, the course material (readings, videos), and your peers’ responses. TAs will respond and participate in the discussion to promote conversation and community.
Question #1
Explain and unpack how Lorde used the idea of “silence” to shape her arguments about the politics of voice (“language and action,” in her phrasing).
Question #2
Did you agree or disagree with what Elizabeth Gilbert had to say about passion vs curiosity? Explain your answer… Ground your response in the text (i.e., note her specific points as you respond to them).
Responses to respond
Regarding Question #1
1. Lorde argued that women of color need to use language and actions to fight against the suppression from the society embedded in the languages. Lorde explained that expressing ideas exposes our own identities and culture, which could be vulnerable under the scrutiny and judgement of the society. However, she argued that silence would not solve injustices, and pretending fear doesnt exist could not alleviate fears. By presenting the result of the opposite (ie silence leads to meaningless death), Lorde urges women of color to speak up, using voice and exposing ones vulnerability to form bonds with others and fight for the transformation of languages/community.
2. Audre Lorde, a self-defined African American poet utilizes language as a crucial means of intervention to demonstrate social inequalities. Her figuring of voice and silence advocates the importance of self-declaration, indicating the need for women of color to use their language and actions as the key to dismantling social injustice. From the text, Lorde conveys that although visibility makes one vulnerable, it is important for one to turn that vulnerability into strength, as with oppressive silence comes the advancement in social injustice. She believes that your silence will not be able to be served as your shield, but will just leave you with regrets, remorse, and emptiness. Through her legacy, Lorde encouraged her fellow audience to shift language into action, inspiring women of color to not suppressed from utilizing their powers/ feel inferior, but be able to freely voice out their opinions and be united/connected as one.
Regarding Question #2
1. I agree with Elizabeth Gilbert about Passion Vs Curiosity.
Passion contains more weights and supposes to guide your life. I have always wanted to find a passion that I am willing to devote all my time and enthusiasm. However, as Elizabeth wrote, passion isnt something that appear out of nowhere (pg 236). Similar to what Elizabeth have indicated, I think passion stem from something that we already know or do. Instead of passion, Curiosity is easier to implement and think about, as you are purely relishing the enjoyment of the process. Through curiosity, you are exploring new perspectives and expanding you knowledge/skills. But, since you dont have much expectation onto your curiosity, you dont have stress even when it leads you nowhere (pg 239).
2. I personally agree with Elizabeth Gilbert’s comparison of passion and curiosity, especially in how it pertains to us as college students: it often seems that we’re expected to enter university knowing our passion, knowing (often at age 18 or even earlier) what we want to do for the rest of our lives. However, as Gilbert says, “a lot of people don’t know exactly what their passion is … which can leave them feeling confused and blocked and insecure.” Rather, she argues that we should strive to explore our curiosities, no matter how small, as these are of less risk. More concretely, as college students, we should take the courses and join the organizations we find interesting, as these can — as Gilbert says — lead to the development of passions, without the same commitments as a major or career choice. And even if they do not, we are still left having experienced the many opportunities a college education can provide: having passed through college “in devotion to the noble human virtue of inquisitiveness”.
