Job Discussion Forums

[blackguy-n-Asia]

Importing stereotypes of Western culture should be forbidden by the Geneva Convention.

Many teachers seem to have a need for teaching 'other cultures' by showing classy movies that are regarded as entertainment in the West. They should be careful.

An example would be:

"I teach about African culture in America by showing movies like Friday, Boyz in the Hood and Shaft. We then talk about guns, violence and drugs."

or

" I try to bring Italian culture to my students with movies like Casino, Goodfellas or showing The Sopranos."
We then have a discussion on the Mafia, cement galoshes and words like bada-bing"

or

"Watching Braveheart got my class in tune with Scotts"

Please be careful what you teach your students, there may be a budding Adolf Hitler in the class, just waiting to learn about your biased opinion of others.

[Hod]

Have we met before? Are you that guy frequently seen in Thailand, about 25, quite tall, good looking and a BLOODY GREAT CHIP on each shoulder. Get a life you moron. The likes of you create more racism and trouble that any neo-nazi on this planet.

(Phew. He'd posted this on several of Dave's forums, so it will be gone soon)

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

ya, seems like an odd post.

But then EFL is full of odd people LOL!!

[blackguy-n-Asia]

Well, this idea just came to mind. Didn't think it was odd though.

I'm in Canada, 26 and am going to Asia from Bangladesh (October) to Mongolia in July. So, I'm not in Thailand. Too bad about that guy with a chip on his shoulder. Maybe he's been harrassed one time too many? Or maybe he is just a racist.

Why do you think this post is odd? Efl teachers actually use hollywood movies to portray 'life' for some poeples in the West.

I take Mandarin lessons, and my teacher is very careful about the movies she chooses. We wouldn't see an old kung fu movie with her.

[WorkingVaca]

It's just typical backlash, blackguy, which I'm sure you're used to. Pay no mind, as I'm sure you're used to doing. I agree with your post. Last year in Taiwan a Taiwanese friend dragged me to see American Pie II, and sitting next to us was a white American guy and his Taiwanese girlfriend. After the movie, he gave her a little educational lecture about how the movie was a good representation of American culture (white suburbia)! Barf! And it's true, many ESL teachers use stupid Hollywood movies to portray American life. It's annoying enough when Asians watch these movies on their own time and believe they represent the truth about American life.

[blackguy-n-Asia]

Thanks, Working Vaca.

It seems that alot of people are insecure about his topic. Too sad.

[migo]

[lagerlout2006]

On the other hand maybe it's racist to suggest Asians can't handle watching pop films..They will see Casino and want to become "made guys?"

If it's OK for the West to study pop culture why not here? My opinion is we are paid to teach English and nothing else...If Boyz In the Hood helps I'm not going to censor..Besides isn't that a "critically acclaimed" film?

[blackguy-n-Asia]

For me, going to different cultures in October, I will try to act in a positive way. Many people I come into contact with would have never had the opportunity to travel and see other peoples, including an African person.

They may judge African people by the way I act and carry myself. Not hard to believe.

So then, other cultures (any culture) that watches movies of stereotypes (every race/culture has been in Hollywood) may assume that this is how that particular culture behaves/loves/hates/dresses/eats/etc This is especially bad when it was meant to be a joke or exaggeration in the West.

Westerners may get it and laugh -badda-bing/ homeboy/ kung pao chicken/etc but other cultures, who know no better (because they have not been exposed to other cultures exept by television) would think its the gospel truth.