Eden Knight A03 Week 9

Eden Knight
A03
Week 9

Melissa-Ann Nievera-Lozano’s “Pain + Love = Growth: The Labor of Pinyaist Pedagogical Praxis” spoke to me morally. The author emphasized the good and strong standing morals of the candidates she interviewed. Rowena discussed the struggle to hold her integrity, even if it hinders her career. This makes me respect Rowena for remaining true to herself despite the harrowing conditions. The quote Ate Lenny mentioned: “I want to be whole and spend the rest of my life feeling whole” (Strobel, L. M. (2005). A book of her own: Words and Images to Honor the Babaylan. San Francisco: Tiboli Publishing.) was amazing. It shows her striving towards being a better person with good morals. Ate Lenny looks up to her father, a Methodist Pastor. He, and her ancestors are the inspiration she needed to use her platform for good.

Wei Ming Dariotis’ “Academic Symbiosis: A Manifesto on Tenure and Promotion in Asian American Studies” was an enlightening view on what occurs in the background of academia. After Dariotis’ many achievements and embellishments, to be denied a promotion would have been heartbreaking. Dariotis’ describes an ‘academic panopticon’. I had to search for the deeper meaning of panopticon. My searches revealed a moving metaphor. A panopticon is a building design, specifically used in prisons. It is a circular building with walls lined with jail cells. The center has a courtyard and 360 degrees watchtower, so guards can constantly monitor inmates. The author is drawing parallels from her academic experience. The constant inspection of her and all of her colleagues’ careers is similar to a panopticon prison. The author described the concept of the ‘academic (death) star’. In which there’s only room for one professional in each field. This creates a breakdown of many sub-specializations. It is sad to see the dampening of abilities in academia. The success of becoming a ‘star’ is also met with fear that it will be easily taken away. This fear breeds competition and abuse of power. How is this competitive environment conducive for learning and individual growth?

Image: Panopticon prison formation


Source:
Image: Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World, Brown University, 2009 https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/13things/7121.html
Valverde, K.-L. C., & Dariotis, W. M. (2020). Fight the tower: Asian American women scholars resistance and renewal in the academy. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.