Hi there,
I attended the powerful, thought-provoking session that the group of tutors who are sponsoring this blog presented at the recent IWCA conference. I was blown away by the thoughtfulness, sophistication, and passion of these presentations. At the end of the session, the first of the many thoughts that our discussion stimulated was this: "I feel new hope for the future." Thank goodness that hope was confirmed by the recent presidential election.
Those of you at the UIC writing center might like to know that I discussed your presentation at our staff meeting last Thursday. The issues you raised generated an intense conversation at our meeting, one that will continue for some time I'm sure.
One issue that came up--raised by my colleagues Robin Pappas and Dennis Bennett's summary of another related session at the conference--was how to deal with essays that the tutor or writing assistant feels crosses an ethical line. One example was a student who brought in an essay arguing that white privilege does not exist. Another was an essay advocating torture in certain circumstances.
One thing we noticed during our discussion was that the white writing assistants tended to feel that they could draw upon traditional academic norms of evidence and argument to work with student writers on these topics. After all, those making academic arguments needs to look at both sides of an issue, provide credible evidence, consider audience, etc.
However, many writing assistants of color felt that they would have to, as it were, check their identities at the door to work with writers making arguments like these. Our staff meeting is only an hour, so we were just beginning to discuss what significance these different responses might have.
Lots to think about.
In closing I want to thank you for powerful, stimulating presentations. I'm so glad that you are in the process of posting them to this blog. Thank you.
I also want to ask a question. A number of our writing assistants were excited to learn about your blog. Of course if they have a google account they can comment on your blog, but unless you invite them to join as authors they can't initiate a post.
Are you comfortable with my forwarding the email invitation that you sent to me to the listserv we host for our writing assistants? I'll check back on this blog to see if there's a response, or you could email me at lisa.ede@oregonstate.edu.
Thanks again for initiating this important work, which I know is a continuation of earlier efforts on the part of your writing center.
All best,
Lisa Ede
Director, Center for Writing and Learning
Oregon State University
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6 comments:
I think Lisa's point about checking identity at the door is an important consideration for Centers engaged in discussions about race. We have to make sure that tutors know that they are neither "closeted" by academic discourse (and writer's racist comments) nor required to intervene. Explaining to the writer why her/his argument is offensive is always on option, but it is not a requirement.
While part of our tutor training here at UIC is used to discuss ways that our tutors can become comfortable with these kinds of discussions, we also acknowledge the high stakes present in these kinds of conversations and want our tutors to deal with these contentious moments on their own terms.
I really like the way you put the issue in your first paragraph, Alex--that tutors/writing assistants neither have to be "closeted" by academic discourse nor required to intervene. Excellent point!
I also hear you about the high stakes at play in many tutoring sessions. This can create strong emotions in tutors, who are students themselves and who know how much can be at stake. But what kind of help is the best kind of help?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer for a question like this.
Lisa:
I think the most effective type of help is to begin with making tutors and writers aware of the political boundaries that we rhetorically create through speech.
As student workers in a paraprofessional setting, I think we tutors must do more than provide an environment for other writers to communicate within.
We must also work to provide other writers with the means to write more confidently. And this sometimes requires the means to respond to the political boundaries often invisible to them.
-Sal
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You know, in addition to Oregon State's many federally designated areas of research, the university receives more funding for research, annually, than all other public higher education institutions in Oregon combined
I just wanted to thank you for initiating this truly important work, which I know is to be a continuation of earlier efforts on the part of your writing center! Keep in mind that our resume editing service is here to help you within 24/7!
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