Webb Chapter Two

Webb
Teaching about Homelessness

I think that Webb’s personal relationship with a homeless man has allowed him to be more open with the issue. This is good. It made him realize that “the most basic cause of homelessness was not an increase in laziness, poor education, or promiscuity, but a loss of jobs and services, and, above all, a shortage in affordable housing” (14). Often people don’t understand that it isn’t their fault, and assume they are drug addicts or ex-cons. There are a lot of issues that America has and a huge one is ignorance. Webb pins it when he uses the word ‘awareness.’

I like how Webb doesn’t just use literature in his classes. He ties in essays, documentary films, and speakers. This provides an outlet for what can be banal day-to-day reading of books. It is a fun and exciting way to understand situations better, therefore understanding the text better, and also bringing awareness. I think that it is important to understand literary techniques and context, but I like where Webb is going in his lessons which is above. “Thinking about the historical, social, and political contexts, developing thematic connections that put classic authors and works into dialogue with popular culture and common experience” (17).

I know a lot of colleagues find this controversial and that these lessons distract from our point of being English educators, but I think that with America being in such turmoil it is necessary. Ignorance is a major factor in hate crimes and it is important to understand the world. I think that it is important to encourage others to help out in the community and feel compassion; however it is also necessary to take precautions because some people really are crazy and mean.
Also, applying a Marxist method to the texts mentioned in this chapter would bring awareness. Marxist claims that everything done is determined by economy and how much money you make. By using this method you can better understand homelessness and racial stereotypes.