Blog Posts for Assessment 3
Week One
Activity 1
The people I have chosen to represent to comment on the three videos are my 96-year-old grandmother, a male friend who is 50, and my children (male and female) I have not shown them the videos that we watched, however I feel that I know each of them well enough to comment on the videos from their points of view. Apologies to them if I have misread their points of view at all.
The first video was of the Australian National Anthem being sung in language at a Wallabies rugby match. (Let me butt in with my own opinion here – I love hearing songs in language, and think it is fantastic that this was done at such a publicised event.)
My Nana, on the other hand, would have commented along the lines of ‘stuff and nonsense’, ‘I can’t understand a word she’s singing’, ‘what’d they go and do that for?’ She is not a racist or anti-Indigenous, she is a typical example of many from her generation.
My male friend, who I have known since we were 18, would begin with something like ‘Dang! She’s hot! And she has a great voice!’ Or he may say something like ‘That’s cool.’
My children would possibly say ‘Meh. What’s the big deal? Wonder where she’s from?’
Video Two, Jonathon van Ness, would elicit this type of response from my Nana: ‘If you’re born a man, dress as a man! Turn it off – I don’t want to see that!’ My friend would say ‘Haha – good on him. Hey that food looks good – want to go eat something?” And my children would say ‘Why are we even talking about this? Why is it an issue? People should be allowed to express themselves any way they want to.’ My daughter might even say ‘cute top’.
Robert Hoge may bring some different responses. My Nana would agree with his statement about his mum not knowing until he was born that he had a tumour. Nan would say ‘None of us knew anything about how our children would turn out when born – we just got on with living if there was a problem.’ She may even add ‘Good on him for talking about it – he can have more surgeries if he wants.’ My friend would probably say ‘I’ve seen him somewhere…’ and my children would say that they would have liked it if he could come to their schools to talk on bullying.
My personal thoughts: I loved the first video – we need more Indigenous culture at events; second made me cringe a bit – although I am still wondering if that was the real Jonothan, or was he an actor asked to portray that role; and the third video made me think of others similar that I have watched and reminded me that the problems I’ve faced have been totally different to his.
Activity 2
In the spirit of inclusivity that I believe will be the backbone of this course, I am going to answer according to how and what I believe.
Question 1 askes about desirable traits in our leaders. Unfortunately, I do not see many of our leaders with good traits. I think Scott Morrison did a great job of leading our country through the beginning of Covid, as did Anastacia Palaszczuk; and yet both of these leaders are on opposite sides of politics. However, as a Christian, I endeavour to follow Jesus and his teachings about how to live and treat other people. He was the greatest example of giving all for others. Amongst His last instructions to us were the following words from Matthew 22:37-39: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. (New International Version). Another favourite verse of mine (in fact I have a pictorial version tattooed on my arm) comes from 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (New International Version). Now the way I see this, is that a great leaders needs to be able to love themselves – warts and all – and to really have a passion for the people around them. If they are only in leadership for the money or the fame, we soon see through that. However, if they are prepared to put themselves and their own wants and desires to the side, they will become honest and reliable leaders, who through their contact with the people around them, will become inspiring and forward looking. I hope that I am reflecting the belief of ‘loving others as I love myself’ in all areas of my life.
Question 2 asks if I am capable of leadership. Yes, I am. I have led many different groups of people in many different things from Sunday School and Youth Group to camps, retreats and teams of people as cooks at events. I like to lead smaller groups as I believe it gives everyone a chance to get to know the others in the group. I have natural abilities in communication, administration, and hospitality, which are all great gifts to have in leadership. The older I get the better I am at delegating too!
Question 3: Cultural safety is ensuring that everyone everywhere feels safe in the environment they are in at that point in time.
WEEK TWO
Activity One
Is it reasonable to expect a state theatre company to program First Nations-centered work? If so, why?
Yes, it is reasonable to program First Nations work alongside works from other local people and visiting performers from around the world. It is important to included First Nations performers because, like all performers, they are gifted and talented in dance, drama, vocal skills and other areas of theatre and the arts. Everyone, no matter where you are from, or what your racial background is, should have been given a fair representation in the arts.
Is it reasonable to place the same level of expectation on smaller arts companies, like independent artists?
If there are First Nations people applying to be part of a production in any performance, they should be treated the same as any other person auditioning. If they have the skills required to complete the role according to the director’s perception of the role, then they should have the part.
As an artist about to emerge into the professional field, what expectations do you place on yourself in terms of intersecting with First Nations artists and audiences?
I believe that as a visual artist, most of my interactions with First Nations people will be if they attend any exhibitions I complete. However, I am planning on travelling to outback areas to learn different skills from First Nations artists once I have completed this degree.
Lewis apologised. Was the public apology enough? If you were working for the company, what would you advise as the correct course of action moving forward?
I believe the apology was enough; it was sincere, and the reasons given for the most were correct. However, they could have included an announcement of the performance of Othello along the lines of “And coming soon to Cairns, a wonderful adaptation of Othello including the following First Nations performers ……. ; alongside performances by ……. .
ACTIVITY TWO
Have you seen a particularly compelling or moving Welcome to Country?
When visiting the Red Centre, the Welcome to Country’s that I saw in various locations there seemed to have a deeper underlying meaning as they were all performed by people who had grown up with a deep understanding of their culture and connection to that land. Not to mention the feeling that the Red Centre is the Spiritual center for all FNP was dominant too.
Even if you don’t identify as FNP, you can perform an Acknowledgment of Country. Reflecting on all that has been taught to you so far, what are some key points that you’d address in your Acknowledgment? Reflect or research:
- Where you were born and raised, and the cultural history of that land;
- Where your parents came from, and the cultural history of that land.
- Where you now make art, and how you feel the country and culture express itself through your art.
My acknowledgement would need to include Cronulla as the place of my birth, NSW as the places I was raised, WA and Qld as the places I’ve chosen to live, Gatton as my now home. NSW for both my parents (Sydney & Bomaderry for my Mum; Sydney for my Dad; all over together as we are a family that moves a lot.)
WEEK THREE
Activity One
As a mature aged Visual Arts student whose only reason for coming back to university studies was to bring some joy into my life after a mental health breakdown, I do not actually know any artists with disabilities. My first thought is Vincent van Gogh who also suffered with mental health issues, and these did affect his life (cutting off his own ear) and how he was perceived by those who he met.
Seeing as he has been dead for over 130 years, it is a little hard to get his ‘voice’ on his disability and considering the era he lived it is also highly unlikely his issues would have been spoken about. If I have time, I will find online copies of his letters and read them in the hopes of gaining more understanding. Likewise, when time permits, I will research modern visual artists with disabilities.
As mentioned, I suffered a mental health breakdown over 18 months ago, and in the past 25 years have had 4 periods of time where I was anti-depressants. I did very little art of any sort during those times as the medications and being a mum did not leave me with the energy to put towards ‘art for fun’. I still made many of my children’s cloths, and soft toys and cross stitches, but no other art.
My breakdown last year was after 4 years of trying to help my husband through his own very severe mental health journey (still not at the other side of it) as well as my eldest two children with theirs. I was also working as a school chaplain which meant I saw and heard more sorrow than joy in that role. However, I did do a lot of art with the students, so that was fun.
As part of my healing, I try to spend a minimum of 30minutes a day drawing or painting for my mental health: my down time when no one is allowed to interrupt.
My sister-in-law is deaf; we live too far apart for her to teach me Auslan, so we decided that using pen and paper was the most effective way to communicate.
My cousin was born with spina-bifida and was not expected to live to the end of that day. She is now in her 30’s, and against doctor’s orders, became a mum a few years ago. She has had more surgeries and medical events than I can remember, however she embraces life fully.
Week 4
Activity One
Compose a new blog post that discusses these ideas. Talking about these issues can be scary, but it’s important to be honest. Answer the following in questions in your blog:
How do you feel around the concept of ‘politically correct’ language? Are you anxious? Fearful? Comfortable? Uncomfortable? Indifferent?
I wish politically correct language would go back to where it came from – it has taken all the fun out of ‘taking the mickey’ out of family and friends. I fully understand why we should have some of it as we do need to be more inclusive of everyone, but seriously, trying to change words like ‘manhole’ to something more accepting is completely bonkers in my opinion. We all know that all humans can use a manhole, and it should not offend you by its name.
Where do you think these feelings come from?
These feelings come from being a kid in the 70’s and 80’s where we all gave each other curry, teased the life out of each other and for the majority of us it was done in fun and received (and retaliated) in fun. And in a way, I really miss those days (thank goodness no one can change how our family interacts when we all get together!).
Can you identify people in your life – your friends, family, or co-workers – who are particularly passionate about this issue, regardless of their opinion? Where do you think that passion comes from?
I have a cousin who is a lesbian and her and her partner recently had a baby boy. She has never been overly vocal about her reasons for choosing to be a lesbian (after quite a few heterosexual relationships), nor have I ever heard of her attending any rallies or walks to support her beliefs. However, on the other side of my family, I have a very highly vocal aunty who is anti any other way of living except for heterosexual relationships. She is the only one in the family like this, and I refuse to ask her why, as I do not ever want to sit through one of her tirades about it. I am straight and white and in a wonderful heterosexual relationship, but I will never force ‘my beliefs’ on another person. I would be more likely to ask why they have chosen their path and life choices, as I have always been interested in the psychology of people’s choices.
Is there an artist that you can identify who’s done a good job at being particularly inclusive? Can you identify an artist who’s made a mistake around PC language and has then sought to correct it? How do you feel about this?
No to both, as I am studying arts to help me overcome a breakdown and to bring joy into my life. I don’t really follow any modern artists or gossip magazines to know who is doing what and why, although I know it does happen as occasionally, I hear the headlines around it.
Activity 2
My week one response is this: Cultural safety is ensuring that everyone everywhere feels safe in the environment they are in at that point in time.
I still feel much the same: everyone, no matter sexual orientation, religious beliefs, cultural backgrounds, disability, race, or position in society, everyone deserves the right to feel safe no matter where they are or what they are doing, or who they are with. No one has the right to make another person feel unsafe in the environment.
WEEK 5
Activity One
Reflect on the privilege walk video. Using those questions, how would you talk about your own sense of privilege? Are there any questions that weren’t asked that you feel as especially important?
I have seen a few versions of this privilege walk but have never seen the complete list of questions. The only versions I have seen have been with American attendees, so I feel some of the questions socially and culturally would be different for us. I feel very privileged and blessed to live in Australia; to be born in the early 70’s and be a kid through the 70’s and 80’s really was the best time to be alive as we had the best of the previous generations and their experiences and were the first generation to really use technology in our school and home life. Neither of my parents went to university, both came from quite poor home lives (financially only, they were rich in love and memories which is so much more important than money), and my father, after his apprenticeships, was one of the youngest managers of a plastics factory in NSW. He was killed the year I turned 5, so without knowing that we were privileged through my parents’ hard work, we were now disadvantaged by his death. My mother had to sell the property we lived on and moved back with her parents for a year or so. I never felt we were ‘poor’ or ‘hard done by’, although I learnt early how to save and value a dollar. We knew what it was like to grow our own veggie and wear second hand clothes. And I thought this was normal for all families until my mum remarried when I was 13 and we moved to another town 1000km away. There was a much bigger divide in this town between ‘poor’ and ‘well off’ as well as ‘black’ and ‘white’, which I had never experienced before.
I feel our government generally looks after the majority of those doing it tough and that we seem to have less of a social class divide in Australia. However, I now would never walk around any town at night by myself as I no longer feel that is safe (maybe that’s an age thing too); and I feel that as a Christian many people judge me as being ‘intolerant of their views/lifestyles’ without bothering to ask me what I really think – I perceive that many of them brand me with their own beliefs/experience of different religious people and practices without taking the time to get to know me and what I think, or why I think the way I do. I do not understand why different people act or do different things, I don’t always get the choices my children make, but I will always endeavour to respect their choices and decisions (along with people I don’t know). I’ve always tried to teach my children to treat others the way they want to be treated and to not take into consideration anyone’s race, creed, colour, culture or religion. We all have the same number of bones, and we all get buried in the same size box.
Not having a list of all the questions, it is hard to know which other ones should be included.
Given your responses to the question above, what factors do you feel make up your concept of intersectionality?
We have been watching ‘One Strange Rock’ on Disney, hosted by Will Smith. Many astronauts are the voices throughout the episode, and one thing struck me in the final episode: they all said that their time in space altered their outlook on humanity – they realised how interconnected we all are with each other, with animals, with our land. They no longer see borders or races; they see humans. And I really like this concept and to me, that shows complete intersectionality.
Jill, Jack & the Pay Dispute
Not enough information is given in the scenario to accurately state what I would do. Do jill & I have the same amount of theatre experience? Do I have more than Jill or vice versa? This would affect our rate of pay to begin with. If we both have the same experience, then I would support her in finding out why her rate is different. (Is her part a smaller, same, or larger role?) I would encourage Jill to find the legal pay rate for the role to ensure she is being paid fairly to begin with. I would go with her to confront Jack about the discrepancies in pay, even though deep down I believe everyone should research their own pay rate/contracted offer before signing a contract. If Jack shows no signs of fixing this issue or giving a good reason for the discrepancy, then I would encourage Jill to go to the ombudsman prior to any online social media outrage. Do things properly, keep a written record of all the steps and responses.
Seeing as both appear to be head strong and react in the moment, both Facebook posts will be receiving much attention, and will possibly come to the attention of the media in no time, so there really is nothing else I can do at this point except to support Jill however I can.
Jack is a self-server, trying to make himself look good – not really allyship here.
I am most likely to be Person 2 in my response.
Week 6
Activity One
I noticed that Dylan Alcott did not really want to be up on stage accepting Australian of the Year as he thought there were many people more deserving of the honour. He is very humble in his acceptance, but forceful in what he believes needs to change so that people with disabilities (seen or unseen) are more accurately represented in all areas of Australia.
He stated that it is down to everyone and their attitude towards theirs – or another’s – disability that makes all the difference. He also says that abled bodied Australians better watch out as the disabled are coming for our jobs!
It would mean a lot as they now have someone who understands their frustrations and successes from the inside able to represent them.
Dr Taleporos’ statement about not everyone loving their disability no doubt is true. Especially for those who were able bodied and then through accidents or illness have become disabled. And even more so for those suffering with ‘invisible disabilities’; the world sees a ‘normal’ person and gives them a hard time for not doing everything a ‘normal’ person should do.
WEEK 7
Activity One
What does the video say about multiculturalism?
Alex Tran’s video on living in Inala highlights just how multiculturally diverse the population is there, with a high Vietnamese population, Anglo-Saxons, and Indigenous to name a few. He states that in primary school he was taught a lot about First Nations culture, beliefs and practices, however this became non-existent in high school.
What does this say about cultural diversity?
It appears that all these nations live happily alongside each other, however Vietnamese culture is the strongest with the biggest community events being some of their national days. Tran quickly points out that there are no FN celebrations, and that their community places are tucked away behind others.
What do I think of the relationship between multiculturalism and cultural diversity?
I think if each culture is given equal opportunity to represent itself in the social calendar of a community, then multiculturalism is working to its best ability. Cultural diversity may be stronger in some areas due to the higher populations of different cultures represented, although there are still areas that are dominated by one culture, or areas of a city where different cultural groups choose to live.
I like Tran’s statement that multiculturalism can be negatively impacting the minority groups.
Activity Two
“Why do we insist on promoting multiculturalism when it so clearly hinders us from a unified national identity and culture?”
What an interesting question; and the panelist’s answers were spot on too. We cannot be unified when we have not defined ourselves. The second panelist was spot on when she said we had no true identity, only fragments of one; the third speaker was spot on with his comment that we need to have our flora, fauna, and Indigenous peoples at the center of our identity.
I love multiculturalism to show me about other cultures, however, I believe each inhabitant of Australia should be Australian first (eg an Australian Irishman, Australian Hawaiian, Australian Pom) just like the Americans are. Celebrate everything that is uniquely Australian first (flora, fauna, and peoples), then celebrate where you are from. I class myself as 100% Australian as some of my ancestors arrived here in 1788, some in 1854, and the newest only in 1914. So that makes me Australian first and foremost, and according to my DNA I am 50% English and North-western Europe (Channel Islands, Belgium, France, Germany, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and Wales), followed by Germanic Europe at 16%, then Eastern Europe and Russia, Wales and Ireland. So, I am a hodgepodge of cultures, but at my core I am 100% Australian. I believe in mateship, in larrikins, in meat pies and budgie smugglers. Wattles and bottlebrush, spider orchids and fairy wrens all mean Australia to me. Golden beaches, red dirt, fire, flood, drought – all are Australian. I have been to every state except Tasmania (and I got within view of it when Covid hit, and our cruise ship was turned back. Watch out, Tassie, I’ll get there yet!). All our peoples should be seen as siblings; most of the time we get along, occasionally we butt heads and sometimes we fight each other viscously. We need to accept each other, love our differences, and not let them tear us apart.
WEEK 8
I think comedy will play a big role in my creative practice – some of my paintings that are ‘cheeky comedy’ have received the best comments, compared to my ‘standard paintings’. I haven’t yet delved into comedy with sculpture or ceramics, but I will certainly think about it. Comedy is useful for breaking tension and keeping everyone on an even playing field, even though we all have preferred comedic styles. I have always tried to see the funny side of life, as I would rather have ‘laugh lines’ than ‘worry wrinkles’. At this stage I do not plan on using any of my work to push any agendas – that simply is not who I am.
WEEK 9
Activity One
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Primary school was between 35-45 years ago, so I only remember a few teachers, and more for who they are than how they taught. However, I know we had a lot of ‘rote’ style learning – every day we recited our times tables, then square roots etc.
High School is a tad closer in memory, and again, I remember teachers for who they were – however my art teacher, commerce teacher and history teacher would have been more in line with Friere’s style of teaching as they all encouraged us to research on our own and dig deeper into the topic at hand. Math’s and science in the 80’s was definitely more ‘rote’ style due to theories and statistics etc. Living in a small community meant I knew all my teachers outside of school, and some quiet well. The ones I got to know quite well would have all followed a Friere thought pattern, or Montessori style.
Both ways of learning have benefits, especially since there are so many learning styles – some learn best by rote or reciting of information; some by auditory; some by visual; some by doing; some are a mix (like me). I believe certain things really are rote only, as in mathematics and physics where items do not change; and other subjects benefit from more freedom of deliverance and understanding.
Activity Two:
Classroom or Work Environment
1a) Who has the greater power?
In my work environment, I have the greater power as I am the only paid employee, supervising volunteers. I am also the person in charge of ordering and making sure clients are happy.
1b) Am I wielding this responsibility correctly?
I believe I am as I am in constant communications with the volunteers and committee members to ensure that every decision, I make is for the good of our little café. I ask for feedback daily, and where possible adjust to suit that feedback, or take suggestions to the committee for further analysis.
1c) If I am a leader, how do I create a safe space?
By welcoming everyone, no matter who or where they are from. By starting conversations with all people who enter our café. By inquiring of return customers about issues discussed previously. By getting them to spread the word about the safe space available to others.
1d) Do my colleagues genuinely get along with me?
I have had no complaints so far, and one of the volunteers is a very close friend of mine.
2) What is my cultural responsibility and what does it mean to act ethically in relation to individuals and community well-being?
My cultural responsibility fits into a few areas:
- Family culture
- Work culture
- University culture
- Church culture
- Town culture
- Regional culture
- State culture (go the Maroon’s!)
- Australian culture
Within each of the above, there are sub-groups; for example, within my family my culture can be defined as that of daughter, sister, cousin, niece, granddaughter, wife, mother, aunty, and great aunty. So even though my culture may be similar across all groups above, there is always a slight variation from group to group and within the people of each group.
Acting ethically is to be the same person in public that you are in private; I have always been this. I treat all groups and communities the same, and generally enjoy getting to know people from other cultures so that I can learn about their culture and life.
WEEK 10
Activity One
What spaces could I occupy that would be considered an act of resistance?
Men’s toilets
Professor’s or Politician’s lectern
Driver’s seat in a police car
Activity Two
This is the final activity for your online portfolio. It should be a substantial discussion, preferably more than 500 words long.
Return to the definition of cultural responsibility you wrote in week one. Copy and paste that definition in the top of a new blog.
Then copy and paste your definitions from week four, and week eight.
Discuss: how has that definition changed over time?
Examine the last module in particular. Consider the idea of ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ groups, systems of oppression, the role of gender, and what political artwork might look like. How has this affected your definition? Would you change anything now?
In the last module and in the course overall, what are the pieces of content that have triggered the biggest reactions in you, positive and negative? What has provoked comfort, outrage or wonder? Why do you think this is?
Conclude by writing a new definition of cultural responsibility that builds off your previous drafts. Make sure your definition includes you. How are you, in your practice and in your work, going to achieve cultural responsibility? What are some clear practical steps that you can implement?
WEEK 1 definition: Cultural safety is ensuring that everyone everywhere feels safe in the environment they are in at that point in time.
WEEK 4 definition: I still feel much the same: everyone, no matter sexual orientation, religious beliefs, cultural backgrounds, disability, race, or position in society, everyone deserves the right to feel safe no matter where they are or what they are doing, or who they are with. No one has the right to make another person feel unsafe in the environment.
WEEK 8 definition: I have not recorded a new or different definition in Week 8, so either I was interrupted, or I still felt the same as Week 4.
WEEK 10: My new definition of cultural safety will be something like this: I still strongly believe that every single human being has the right to be safe anywhere they go, within any culture they visit. No other human has the right to impose their thoughts or beliefs onto another, or to oppress or suppress them. We must each do all we can to include the minority groups within our community – whether through programs, art, or just saying hello as you pass in the street. We will only see real change when we all see each other as equal, and when we can embrace our differences knowing they make each of us special and unique – just like every other person on the planet is!
Possibly because of my age (50) and the path I have walked in my life, my views on cultural responsibility and safety will not change greatly. A lot of this is to do with how I was bought up, which was to treat everyone I met as my equal, while showing respect to those who were older than me, and as I got older, I was expected to help teach those same values to younger family members. I am a white, straight female and have been a Christian for over 40 years. My family culture is Christian on both sides for as far back as I can follow, and I believe that the inherent values of the New Testament teachings are what I base my treatment (actions and reactions) of other people by. Especially 1 Corinthians 13:13 ‘Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.’ And Matthew 22:37-40 ‘Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Having these base values to live by means that my actions and reactions are usually consistent. I do not claim to be perfect, and it can be hard to ‘love everyone’ (the love here is not the sexual type of love, it is the brotherly type of love). I am a normal human, a normal mum, normal wife. I get angry, I get upset, I suffer from depression. However, underneath all that, I am much the same today as I was 20-30 plus years ago. I have matured and I am probably a lot more tolerant now than I was then (having children of your own teaches you to be tolerant!). My values may be different to many people doing this course; however they are the same as those of others in my ‘religious culture’.
However, being religious can sometimes feel like we are oppressed, as unfortunately, often only those who have done wrong within religion are remembered (eg, those in power who have abused church members). Why is it that we tend to remember the ‘bad’ and not the ‘good’. Not many talk about Mother Theresa now and the great works she did. Yes, in the past, many religious groups have oppressed others; just as many religious groups are oppressed (think Christians in a Muslim country or vice versa).
There is one thing I would like changed at our university campus (Toowoomba). Outside the library door is a poster stating that the library is a safe space for all those who fall under the Queer Umbrella. Every time I see that I feel like I am not going to feel safe in the library as I am straight, female, and in the mid of my life. I want to ask ‘Are my children safe when they come with me to the library? Are other people from other nationalities/religions safe in the library? Are men safe? Are disabled people safe?’ This poster is, in my point of view, an exclusive poster and excludes so many of our campus population.
