An Uneven Road

Thoughts on Bronwyn T. Williams’, "Shimmering Literacies"

Cruising along Williams’ highway, "Shimmering Literacies," I encountered a speed bump, “Devoted Fans and Participants,” which jolted my Luddite attitude out of its somnolence. Williams, having stated that, “online technologies have allowed…for the activities of the ‘fans’ – the ability to communicate with others of like interest and interact with popular culture texts – to become easily available for the majority of audience members” (35), indicated to me exactly what Williams had derided. Williams stated, “’fans’ were perceived as odd, obsessed outsiders whose activities were to be pitied and dismissed” (35). I’m certain I am one of those observers. That is, I perceive some popular culture “as a hazard against which students need to be protected” (11). It is an “inoculation model of teaching popular culture” (11) that more than expressed my “wariness.” That is, more than likely, my own prejudices and preferences became primary. Perhaps it was in response to a failed cultural reference I presented, in a class on 17th Century France and Cardinal Richelieu, which fell flat on its face that I may feel this way. Alluding to Lady DeWinter in the MGM version of “The Three Musketeers,” my class was unable to recognize the actress Lana Turner. If popular cultural references are so short-lived, why would we want to dress historical education in the Humanities or Contemporary Civilization in questionable comparisons with contemporary icons? Perhaps I was personally disappointed, or perhaps, no matter how hard we try we may never be on the same wave length as our students, unless we are or become exactly the same age as are they.
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