February
3
ELA 10: Feb 3 “Penache” reading and questions
- The previous stories we have read have focused on racial hatred towards Black people in the states. It is easy for us to see this as wrong, since it is so far removed from us. However, the same treatment and ideas exist about the value of Aboriginal people in our society, but a discussion regarding this ultimately comes up with some of common stereotypes that, by their existence, seem to strengthen or justify negative beliefs about this group in Canadian society.
- We tried to talk about the similarities between Aboriginal people in Canada and Black people in the States. Since we can see clearly that racism and that hatred is taught in the states, it makes it just a little more clear that our own stereotypes and prejudices are taught just the same.
- We read the story titled “Penache” about three young Native boys who have finished getting a mechanic’s degree and go to work at a mine, only to find they are unwanted and only hired because of an affirmative action plan.
- While reading, we focused on the author’s style of writing by his creation of an accent through the dialogue. We also talked about the possible purposes an author may have (that it is not to “show” anything but to explain, to entertain, to persuade, etc). We discussed the concept of tone in writing, as well, with several examples given.