Linda Christensen Responce

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. Corrine McKamey
FNED: 346
1 October 2018

Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us By: Linda Christensen 

"The "secret education," as Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman dubs it, delivered by children's books and movies, instructs young people to accept the world as it is portrayed in these social blueprints. Ami often that world depicts the domination of one sex, one race, one class, or one country over a weaker counterpart."
This quote is revealing the impact that children's books and movies have on young children. I would have never thought that children would be impacted negatively when reading or watching children's books or movies. Young children read and watch these movies and think that their lives will be the same as they see it in these "blueprints." Our world is created by domination. This is because in sex, males are dominant, in race white people are dominant, and in class rich people are perceived to be the dominant side. The Untied States is a dominating country, we use power over one another. This is relevant to the text because the author's of children's books are dominating our children because they are small and impressionable, and books are how they learn. Everywhere around us there is power. 

"When we read children's books, we aren't just reading cute little stories, we are discovering the tools with which a young society is manipulated."
This quote is relevant to the text because authors of children's books are dominating young children in such a negative way. Children are so small and dependable on other people for assistance. Everywhere there is power and in this specific quote the authors of children's books are the people who have the power. These authors are displaying real world stories as something cute so it will be relatable for children. These authors include cute characters, fun fonts, pictures, and color to make it appealing for young children. They understand the world through books and not the real world around them.

"Children's cartoons, movies, and literature are perhaps the most Influential genre "read." Young people, unprotected by any intellectual armor, hear or watch these stories again and again. from the warmth of their mother's or father's lap. The messages. or "secret education," linked with the security of their homes, underscore the power these texts deliver. As Tatum's research suggests, the stereotypes and world view embedded in the stories become accepted knowledge."
This quote is revealing that children are hugely influenced by books and movies. They are so young and impressionable. They learn from adults and in this quote from their parents. Children also learn from books, movies, colors, characters, and writing styles which gets children involved and interested in learning. This quote is relevant to the text because authors of books take power and use it over children. These books and movies are dominating young children while they are so young. It's impacting them in a negative way.

Point to share in class:
Before reading this article I always thought that reading to children was one of the most important things to do. After reading the article I am  now conflicted about reading to children because of the major power it has on what we read to them, and the affects it has on their learning. In my classroom I try and read books that are children friendly and don't have a significant amount of power in them so the children can actually learn from reading the book. 

Link to the Reading:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0NEFOT1BJZXVnZnM/view