“Awakening Teachers Capacities for Social Justice With In Arts Based Inquiries” is based around the idea that teachers play an important role in student development so they have a responsibility to understand social justice related issues. This paper explores how using art empowers student to understand and speak out about social issues related to race, class, gender, etc. During this study, students were able to check their own biases and began to understand the daily issues different groups of people face. The graphic novel “In Real Life” is about the discrimination of female video game players and the labor policies in certain areas. It explores the long hours and lack of healthcare that young workers faced in China. The author’s purpose was to spread awareness for these labor practices and teach readers that its important to be aware of these issues even if they don’t directly affect us.
As someone who pursues art in my free time, the article from today’s readings really resonated with me. I use art to gain a better understanding of myself, my feelings, and my culture. Because of this personal experience, I know that students can benefit from doing more art in school settings. Art can guide students to creatively and critically think about various issues in their person lives and in the world. I also agree with the article that teachers have a responsibility to understand the social issues that affect their students because I think that without understanding these issues teachers cannot build connections with their students. The graphic novel was eye-opening because I have never read about labor practices in a fictional story. Even though it was fiction, it somehow felt more personal as I was reading. I think that more graphic novels like this, with messages about social issues, should be read in schools.
My question for the class is: Do you think teachers have a responsibility to educate themselves on social issues, or is that beyond the scope of their job?
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