Fri Fun Facts: Positive Wishes for Students

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

Today’s Friday Fun Facts is dedicated to my students. Well, to any #UVIC students. I hope that you have a great start to the term and this school year leaves you with a continued love of learning. My other wishes for you are as follows in no particular order.

1. Come to class. You’ll do better.

2. Come to office hours. The consultation does help.

3. Do the reading. A close reading and not a quick review or scan.

4. Take notes.

5. Establish study or conversation groups.

6. Think about the assignments and manage your time well.

7. Use the handy assignment calculator to help you manage your paper(s) writing needs: http://webapp.library.uvic.ca/freecalc/

8. Write helpful comments on the Course Experience Surveys. (Teaching effectiveness, readings you didn’t like/did, etc). Save the snark for FB or Rate My Professors.

10. You have lots of resources at your fingertips or shoes–contact the Writing Centre or other offices on campus to help you.

11. Review numbers 1-3! Repeat.

12. Get involved! The more you make #UVIC and your home department your home, the better you will transition into the campus community. Don’t sleep through these 5.1 years. Make the most of it.

And, seriously, do enjoy these years on campus.

Maclean’s Article about Dutch Women: Class and the Welfare State

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 2 Comments

Last week Macleans ran an article by Claire Ward, “The Feminism Happiness Axis: Are Dutch Women Powerless, or Simply Smarter Than the Rest of Us? The article can be found: http://awe.sm/5RZQ1 The first thing that I find most interesting is the immediate connection to feminism with work, family life and happiness. I’m so thankful that feminism has made my life complete and I embrace my politics head on, but why must the media make the knee jerk connection to cookies, family and feminism. While I enjoy cooking and especially baking, it has nothing to do with my feminist politics. This is where we see how strong stereotypes are about the alleged man-hating, mother, children hating, angry feminists. If I had a dollar for every feminist I met like this, I wouldn’t have a dollar.

The media needs to get clued in to the fact that feminists comment or write about institutions that have not given women a fair shake. Nowhere in Of Woman Born does Adrienne Rich say that she hates mothers (like herself) or that she hates her children. No. Her classic book is a wise, provocative rumination about the institution of motherhood and the lack of choices that women have or had for her generation. It’s not quite as sexy to say that we feminists are cultural critics or public intellectuals. No, it’s easier (lazy) to say that we hate men and that we judge other women for “opting out” of the workplace. The opting out discussions typically miss the inclusion of a class analysis and how women who can opt out have class privilege thanks to their partner’s income. Likewise, there is an assumption that these women are opting out forever, when some are taking time off to raise their children until primary school. Like most issues, there is so much here.

Getting back to the Macleans article, though, what is really missing is a class analysis. I’d also like to see an immigration/refugee and race analysis, as well as the basic demographic analysis. There is more to this study and our understanding of what is going on for women. I want women to feel happy–happy in the home, workplace, parliament, congress, farm, university, etc. But, I want a full picture of what this will take. And, I do not want to see the scapegoating of feminisms. If we want to point fingers, we have to look in the mirror. We have to also think about what constitutes success. And, we have to look at social welfare programs, education rates, leadership rates, and so much more. This is a rather detailed, important conversation that it going to sell lots of magazines!

What Macleans has artfully done is offered data from an interesting study and spun it about feminism-blaming and guilt. Here, we have a small country with a strong welfare state. This is not a fair comparison to the US or Canada for that matter. As social scientist, I want to see the study and I want to see demographics disaggregated and then compared to other nations. This study offers us food for thought and no more. But, alas, the spin cycle is whirring.

Political Science: Women’s Caucus for Political Science Part 1

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

I’m re-visiting notes from my archival visit at Radcliffe. What do I remember? Wanting to use every precious minute, while they were open, so I would inhale a Cliff Bar surreptitiously outside the restroom and then return to the work of poring through the archival matter. The librarians were helpful with my repeated requests and made me feel like what I was doing was important. I can’t say that for all of my archival visits. (As an aside, Duke had the best staff and I befriended one librarian, who now is in Miami, via San Diego, and Los Angeles). A big, warm hello to Cristina Favretto! One of the best librarians I have ever met! We met at the Women in Higher Ed conference in Minneapolis many years ago.

I need to back up and explain a few things. My dissertation examined women in Political Science, The Movement into the Academy: Women and Political Science. When I came to Political Science, after having earned a BA in Women’s Studies and a MA in Liberal Arts and Sciences, at first blush I thought that feminist Political Scientists were not that radical. And during the early years of graduate school, I occasionally second guessed the decision to pursue a doctorate in Political Science. I knew that my research work would focus on the qualitative and not include multivariate regressions or the need for SAS or SPSS.

But, the focus on statistics and on work that I never really pursued pushed me harder into Political Theory and Gender and Politics. I’m glad that my dissertation chose me. I realised that the foremothers, if you will, in Political Science were not seemingly behind. With the archival work I found that they were fighting similar fights that feminist colleagues were fighting in different departments. In some instances, the struggles were worse, but never isolated. Here, I am referring to the Chilly Climate and other ways that women faculty were made to feel isolated in academe.

Playing academic detective in the archives and attending networking events within Political Science certainly humbled those initial beliefs about my sisters in Political Science. I was humbled to find that the establishment of the Women’s Caucus for Political Science (WCPS) in 1969 preceded most other disciplines caucuses for women. However, it was shortly thereafter in some instances weeks at the other disciplinary annual meetings that similar caucuses and status of women committees were founded. The WCPS was instrumental in being a resource for women in Political Science.

The women’s movement did not pass Political Science, as it was part of it, too. But, it was only through my archival research at Radcliffe, Smith and Duke that this full picture became clear. Sure, some books have examined particular campuses and their historic struggles, but by and large I imagine that most Political Science students think that the women’s movement of women’s liberation movement on campuses really took place in departments of Women’s Studies. Sadly, they would be wrong. There were coffee klatches at community centers, as well as campus student union buildings. As a matter of fact, it was during the heyday of the movement that Women’s Studies departments or programs were founded. So, there were allies across campus, as Women’s Studies was in its nascent form.

I am proud to be an alum of San Diego State’s Women’s Studies department, the first Women’s Studies department. But, I know that when I sat at the 30^th anniversary dinner in 1999 I felt proud to have benefited from the hard work of those initial five women who were brave enough to take a stand and form the WCPS. I must have missed the 40^th anniversary celebrations, but nonetheless I know that in my work and mentoring I and so many others continue their hard work. If anything, I have learned that there are important allies across campus and that there is a helluva lot of great work being done in Political Science.

Managing Expectations

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

This is probably an annual exercise that I go through each year as the new school year looms in front of me. I need to manage my expectations for how much work I can get done during the day or any week. Of course, as an educator I have to constantly manage my expectations about student work and it has to vary between the first year student and the honor’s student.

Thinking of students~ I’m always amazed at how few will complete the assigned readings. Some students will share that I just need to assign less if I want them to complete the readings. Well, I have trimmed the numbers of readings over the years and still find that I’m in the same situation. This term, I’m actually contemplating no exams in the third year level course and more of a focus on writing and reading with different exercises. I like to mix things up for them and for me.

One student comment noted why so many of our classes have a student presentation component. It’s not busy work. I feel it is important for the students to give presentations in front of their peers. And, I speak to good or strong presentations in letters of reference or on the phone as a job reference. So, I will not cut that assignment out of the course outlines.

I am thinking of ways to work smarter and I am not sure if a day dedicated to my own projects will work. Instead, I find that few hours blocked out makes more sense–a day can slip away during the 13 week term. I don’t have the answer, as each term is so different, but I know that it’s a continued struggle to manage my own expectations about my productivity. These next two years I’ll have reduced teaching load, but my administrative work and attendance at campus wide meetings will increase markedly. I know that managing my expectation will continue to be an ongoing exercise.

How do you manage your expectations? And, how do you manage your productivity?

Moms Clean Air Force: Air Quality Concerns

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 1 Comment

The Moms Clean Air Force (MCAF) is a great example of a community-project that is fighting for the environment. The group is composed of mostly moms and some dads and they work in concert with the Environmental Defense Fund and other organizations to ensure that we don’t experience roll-backs in public policies that will harm people and the environment. Their mission is simple: Fight for clean air for our kids. After being in Southern California for a few weeks, I can attest to the fact that they have their work cut out. You can see the brown layer of smog driving into the Los Angeles Basin. Sure, it’s not as bad as it used to be, but there will still work to do.

The website provides a wealth of information about laws and efforts to protect the environment. For more information check it out here: http://www.momscleanairforce.org/. My favorite part of the website is the call to action–What You Can do. It is so common to feel powerless, but want to get involved and MCAF is a great example of a group who are taking it to the web, writing letters, and attending events in hope of making a difference. What this means is that the organization is part of a long history of parents taking charge in order to make a difference. We can look to other organizations like the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and even the The Woman’s Christian Union (WCTU) as sister organizations that attempted to instill change. MCAF is more akin to Women Strike for Peace, though, via their different efforts. I would argue that MCAF is a proto-feminist, environmentalist organization based on their mission–they are concerned with Human Security and Human Rights via ensuring clean air. I don’t think that this is too much of a stretch.

Funny enough–I wonder how many of the participants would even think of themselves as activists. What might happen is that the activism is so fluid, you want clean air and all the benefits that come with it. And, you might not think of yourself as an activist, but it just happens. MCAF is an activist organization that is fighting the fight at the grassroots level. Who said that social movements are dead?! As a feminist parent, I enjoy finding out about organizations like MCAF, so that I can connect with the organizations and also share the information with others. We can use social media for more than monetization.

A Better Life for Latinos: Reports, Reality and Movies

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 2 Comments

The other night I saw A Better Life and today I re-read the April 201 report “Winning the Future: Improving Education for the Latino Community.” The two are related, as the film depicts the hardships and lack of opportunities noted in the report. The movie is centers around a father and son who are trying to make it in East Los Angeles. The community cold be Boyle Heights or El Sereno or Montecito Heights. The IMDB description does not do the movie justice: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1554091/.

“Winning the Future” explains how the Latino population has the lowest education attainment in the US, but is also the fastest growing demographic (2). This equation is not a good one if it continues at the same rate. Statistics continue to offer that Latinos will constitute the majority population by 2050; yet the income possibilities remain flat given the low rates of graduation from high school, low college attendance and graduation rates. And, the disparities in education begin early for Latinos. According to the report’s findings I read that, “less than half of Latino children are enrolled in any early learning program” (2). Anecdotally, I can share that my sister, who teaches in Southern California in an economically depressed area has repeatedly shared that more than half of the kids at the junior high are on the school’s meal program.

With A Better Life, we see that the two main characters, Carlos and Luis, merely want the basics: a good education, a car, food, security and to have the American Dream. To this end, Carlos struggles for work as a gardener and Luis is maneuvering high school and the precarious line between straight life and street life. Two telling scenes have stayed with me: Luis is arrested and the Anglo cop wants him to take his shirt off so that he can take a photo of his tattoos. Luis exclaims, “Not every Chicano is a gang member.” He takes his shirt off and his tattoo-free skin is not photographed. He says to the officer, “See.” Another scene is when Carlos is explaining to his boss that the dirty lawyer took his money and didn’t get him papers. This commonplace for undocumented workers—the unsavory stealing from them and knowing that without papers the undocumented will not file a police report.

The report notes that education is important and President Obama is ear-marking block funds for children and has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of the Head Start program and the Early Head Start to ensure that poor or minority children have a better chance of matriculating easily into Kindergarten. The numbers, though, are staggering. From the report, “1 in 5 students in the public school system is Latino. Yet almost half of Hispanic (sic Latino) students never receive their high school diplomas” (6). How to rectify this? Leave Arizona? That is said with a note of sarcasm. Here, he have programs attempting to fix the problem—programs that are preventative, but this is coupled with in a culture that is enamored with Neoliberalism. The two are strange bedfellows and looking at who supports each philosophy it is clearly drawn along partisan lines or class lines at the very least.

The Debt-Ceiling debacle only clouds this discussion more. While our Congressional Representatives, Senators, talking heads and the President have these lengthy discussion and some pontificate on television, the real Carlos, Luis, Maria, Gloria, Emma, and Sam’s are barely scraping by and wondering how they are going to make it. Their concerns are about Food Security, Human Security, and Human Rights. While I am keenly aware of real politics, I also know that the report and even this movie speak to real politics, as well.

I am thankful that my parents made sacrifices so that I could go to better schools. I am also aware of the trail-blazing that I did as a first-generation college student. When I see movies of this sort, I feel humbled and damn lucky. Then, I read these reports or journal articles and wonder about the state of public policy. I leave you with these heady ruminations.

Department of Education and White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. 2011. “Winning the Future: Improving Education for the Latino Community.” Washington, DC: GPO.

Fri Fun Fact: #YYJ

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

While I’m in the US, I’ve thinking of Victoria ( #YYJ ) and all the things that I’ve done during the last seven years. This Friday’s post is about Victoria. Friday Fun Facts about Victoria, BC.

1. You cannot complain about a lack of things to do in Victoria. There is a vibrant arts community. In early July, I saw Atomic Vaudeville’s “Ride the Cyclone” and a few days later attended a flamenco production, “Recuerdos” at the Royal Theatre.

2. Almost year round, Victoria hosts all sorts of music and arts festivals. Jazz Fest and Ska Fest both took place in July, as well. Then, there is Fringe Festival and Rifflandia. And, these are only a mere four that I’m noting in this quick Friday Fun Facts.

3. Victoria is definitely one of the most family friendly cities that I have ever lived in. The rec centres offer activities and care for kids of all ages. Sure, child minding hours are limited, but at least there are some. And, yes, I do realized (and remember) how hard it is to get a daycare spot. But, looking at the glass half full for this post.

4. Victoria has some of the healthiest people in Canada. We ride our bikes, walk, and engage in other exercise. You are bound to make friends if you get out and about!

5. Victoria is home to a world-class university, that is right—University of Victoria. OK. I’m biased as UVIC is my employer, but it’s no exaggeration to say that it is a well-respected university.

6. Victoria is the provincial capital city and related to this—we are a political community. There are lots of people engaged in all sorts of political activity. You can find great commentary on CFAX or CBC Radio. Then, the local TV stations also offer great local coverage—see /A\News and CHEK. Likewise, we have a great local paper, the Times Colonist where you can keep abreast of all the news in the greater Victoria region. The legacy media here is strong.

7. And, for my last point about Victoria…we are also one of the most connected social media cities in the country. Our meet ups/tweet ups are the most organized and well attended bar none. We’ve had two successful Social Media Camps (thanks to the great organization of local entrepreneurs Paul Holmes and Chris Burdge). If you missed the last one here is the URL: http://socialmediacamp.ca/. Related to my last point, the social media scene in Victoria is active.

In sum, if you’re bored in Victoria, you are not getting out to events. Pore through the paper or websites and you’ll find lots to do.

Patriotism and Pop Culture: Captain America and More

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

I’m still on my post-Comic Con #SDCC #Con high. What a great convention. On the last day, I skipped out for a few hours and went to Horton Plaza to catch “Captain America.” Wow, did I get my annual dose of rah, rah, sisboom, bah, America kicks ass injection! And, all festooned in red, white and blue.

Now, I like most people understand that Nazis are bad, evil and cruel. So, having Captain America fight against them or an evil related enemy is a no brainer. What I am thinking about is all the focus on the US, war or American patriotism in the movie, but also on display at some booths at the Con. It was pervasive if you looked for it.

This is more than seeing the red, white and blue on the shield, uniform, and bunting. But, also the notion of the US being best. We save the rest. And, all of you non-Americans need to remember this. This paragraph is dripping with sarcasm–in case it wasn’t obvious.

I’m also thinking of the spate of booths set up with an American motif or the comics with the storyline that also focus on militarism, violence and good old Americana that include a certain type of American Values. I’m ruminating about the Con and more blog posts to come.

Dr. Janni Aragon

You have questions, I have answers!

Author Archives: Dr. Janni Aragon

Fri Fun Facts: Positive Wishes for Students

Political Science: Women’s Caucus for Political Science Part 1

Managing Expectations

A Better Life for Latinos: Reports, Reality and Movies

Fri Fun Fact: #YYJ

Patriotism and Pop Culture: Captain America and More

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this: