Reading the Images of Our Culture

Mass media representations, like all representations, carry explicit and implicit values about race, gender, class, age and appearance. While we have no say in what makes up this cultural environment, we do author our own classrooms. And here, what matters most is how we 'read', interpret, and value the representations which surround us. Students need to explore these representations through writing, reading, and yes, engaging with media. If we are to survive, we must control our symbols so that our symbols do not control us.