Emerging Scholars Summer Reading

I feel that the best book to present to these Emerging Scholars would be Black and White. First, my reasoning is academic. The other books that we have read and discussed in our Adolescent Literature class seem to be on a late elementary school and middle school reading level. Black and White seems like, while not necessarily a challenging read, but a more appropriate one. It would be insulting to dumb down the reading for these students would are ready to be challenged and enlightened.

Secondly, the topic is one the students will probably be able to relate to. Whether they've been in similar situations or a friend or family member has, they will probably be able to understand the bias that is targeted toward financially struggling households and prominently African American neighborhoods. My only worry is that they might be TOO biased toward Marcus's side, and wouldn't be able to appreciate Eddie's side of the story as well. This is perfectly understandable, and it would just have to be taught in with the curriculum with maybe another book for preventative action. The goal should be to recognize these biases and overcome them.

In the Ballad of Hua Mulan, I don't get a true sense of who Mulan is--as a girl or as a Chinese citizen--with the exception of what we see in her actions, which to me, except for the end when she purposely unveils herself as a female to her war comrades, doesn't seem too different than the Disney portrayal.

To me, Mulan is exceptionally similar to Ailin. Both are a bit silly in nature, and are probably both as close to a tomboy as China gets. Mulan tries to get out of her chores but likes to run around and spend time outside; Ailin also yearns to run free even as she grows into a young women. However, both are willing to step to maturity when duty calls. Both leave their family to do the right thing; Mulan hopes to bring honor to her family (as she couldn't seem to bring them honor as a female) by becoming an esteemed warrior, though if she was found out, she risked dishonoring them. In an almost opposite viewpoint, Ailin's actions initially brought dishonor to her family, however, her overall revolutionary character could cause her to be a hero. Thus, Mulan and Ailin seem very alike to me in how they are portrayed to a Western audience.

Honestly, I felt that male stereotypes were the most blatantly Westernized in Disney's Mulan. For instance, guy should be macho, so much so that if you punch one, you might cause a ridiculously exaggerated fight between all males in the area. The men are dirty, clumsy, and silly. I would think that a Chinese male would rather represent honor and humility. I feel though that these Western stereotypes weren't as much to get viewers to truly relate to Mulan's story, but rather for humor. These characters provided laughter through jokes that an American audience would understand and appreciate. They do take away somewhat from the culture of the film, but I don't think that this is at the fault of Mulan herself.