BIAS/ASSUMPTIONS: Invisible Man and Brent Staples

In a discussion post, respond to at least one of the questions belong, then comment on another student's post who answered a DIFFERENT question than you.

1. Both Staples and the narrator in Invisible Man experience a similar situation while walking down the street. Do they respond to this situation similarly or differently and how so? What does the narrator's approach suggest about his mental state at that point in the reading? How is your response reinforced in the rest of the Epilogue?

2. When the narrator of Invisible Man says the blonde man was "almost killed by a phantom," is he being literal or figurative? Explain what he means by this.

3. What does the narrator mean by the term "sleepwalkers"? How is the blonde man a sleepwalker and why might awakening them be dangerous? Are there any "sleepwalkers" in Staples' text? Explain.

4. What is ironic about where the narrator lives?

Mantsios

Overall, what is Gregory Mantsios's argument? Do you agree, disagree, or a combination of both? Which parts of his argument are convincing? Are there any problems with his argument or any way you might complicate it?

Also, which texts or real world instances can you see Mantsios's ideas at work?

What are some larger implications of Mantsios's claims about how the media represents certain types of people? How might his ideas foster bias and assumption amongst individuals in society?

Respond to at least one other student and extend their comment. 

Pozner & Alvarez

Now that we are toward the end of the unit, we will now discuss how the media constructs identities and influences relations between cultural groups. 

In this discussion post, respond to the following questions in a comment, then reply to at least 2 other students, engaging in dialogue, and extending their ideas about the texts/questions in conversation. Be sure to include your ideas and thoughts about the specific Pozner and Alvarez texts in your responses.

• What/how does patriarchy effect both individuals and large groups within societies?
• Are femininity and masculinity real?
• How do both individuals and the media construct and/or influence gendered identities?
• In what ways do stereotypes and external identity construction affect gender relations?
• Is the media responsible for propagating and influencing stereotypes? And, if you believe so, what larger implications does that have on certain cultures and types of people?
• Should the media have a political and/or ethical responsibility in the way it represents groups of people?
• Any other reactions, observations, or personal experiences related to the above???