Dear Habermas Logo A Jeanne Site
Comments

Comments on Exams and Structural Violence

California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: May 15, 2000
E-Mail Faculty on the Site.

On Learning and Structural Violence

On May 15, 2000, Michelle Watkins wrote:

Jeanne I found the cat scan to be a little too much for me. Cliff has definitely taken it to the next level. These photos at times seem to be offensive. I do believe in the freedom to express oneself. There are going to be plenty of things on the net that one may not like, but it is all a part of life. We all have the basic right to express ourselves the way we like. It could be structurally violent, if we couldn't express oyrselves they way we would like to.
Michelle Watkins

On May 15, jeanne responded:

Michelle, I know we've talked, but I don't have a face to go with the name. Please be sure you come in to talk to me this week.

Also, the cat scan piece went with a discussion thread, and we discussed extensively violent responses to structural violence. When there are discussion threads up for these files, it's important to include that information in your comments. It is through following the discussion threads that we are able to stay in touch, even when life happens, and we are occasionally absent.

Going back to the discussion threads would have alerted you to the very different types of violence connected to this project. You have referred to the violence of suppression of the freedom to speak our minds. But there is also the structural violence of anger at that with which we disagree, for whatever reason. Some of the responses to Cliff are far more violent than any violence implicit in Cliff's photos. A careful perusal of the photos even highlights Cliff's complaints if the cat looks uncomfortable.

jeanne