The Cultural Translator: Toward an Ethnic Womanist Pedagogy

Abstract

First, need to say that reading writings by women of color makes me cry. What is more, the tears which roll down my cheeks into my morning coffee sustain and empower The passion gleaned from such reading experiences is what try to share in the literature classroom. Until attained this level of comprehension, university teaching had been, at some level, essentially an intellectual exercise. My opening statement is intended to inform the reader of who am and where stand politically. For those of you who have jumped to the conclusion that this is another stridently feminist or lesbian or marginal essay and is, therefore, not worth reading, let me concur that here is where you sign off. For the rest of us who are willing to suspend disbelief, the present discussion is intended to initiate dialogue and further exploration into the whys and wherefores of ethnic womanist pedagogy.' As a Chinese-American academic who has recently invaded a midwestern university campus with her own brand of multicultural connectedness, have been a shock to the local talent (i.e., the traditional midwestern Anglo students). My mere existence-not to mention my deep convictions-can be construed as a threat to students who yearn to survive English literature courses with A's and with their monolithic cultural assumptions intact. Like it or not, my presence signals change-and change equals discomfort. For the women of color who have made it this far on the academic ladder, such a position often means spiritual if not professional suicide. As the indomitable Bette Midler says in one of her comedy skits, Why bother? Since am borrowing from contemporary popular culture, might as well offer a line from the movie Ruthless People which strikes me as appropriate for the classroom situations in which find myself these days. The plot is unconventionally simple: an exceedingly nice young couple kidnap a wealthy woman (Bette Midler again!) for ransom money. After an encounter with the ferocious rich bitch victim, the young wife complains to her husband, I think she hates me. The husband replies, She's supposed to hate you; you're her kidnapper.