I must say, I appreciated the class’s visit to the panel on writing of local history for the Commerce Week on Writing. As a student who is still within the beginning stages of how to approach his final ethnographic project, I must say that I am now more committed than ever into delving into unchartered territory. Listening to some of the local authors talk about their sponsorships of literacy and why they think writing is important has opened my eyes to possible avenues on how to approach my subjects.
For one, I was surprised at the number of people who showed up who weren’t part of the English 102 class. Graduate students and adult members of the community seemed to listen with anticipation to the 4 speakers up front. I couldn’t tell whether they were specific history or english majors, but they sure seemed interested in the process of publishing and editing various literature. I guess most non-class visitors have certain works already lined up that they wish to get out there. The panel seems to function itself as a sponsor of literacy for curious strangers and potential authors.
Each of the four speakers seemed to be drastically different from each other when it came to motivation and subject matters. Hanners functioned as a theatre historian whose workings on acting and character reflected or initiated a curiosity of human motivation and how humans interact with each other. I might want to check back with him. As part of my economic research paper, I am curious as to the social interactions between individuals that function as catalysts for certain beliefs and actions. It was also interesting to note how his reasons for choosing to focus on particular ‘social villians’ of the age is, in summary, a reflection on his quest to find the motivation for his grandfather’s relations with a famous outlaw. This seems to support my theory of how most origins of literary discussions and publications arise out of selfish or self-interested reasons.
I also seem to like his focus on geography as an important aspect of the world. We, as the current generation, are walking in places that past generations have walked on. We breathe the same air, walk the same floor, read the same subjects. It’d be interesting to see how geography played a part in the development of the Commerce community and school. What was the environment like. What opportunities were available to people? How did adults and students get buy in past eras? Are the beliefs of a current generation, no matter how different, affected and the influenced by those of the past?
Out of all 4 speakers, I liked Bobbe Perty the most. She was the so-called baby of the group and seemed to me to be the most engaging. She spoke with clarity and was the only one within the panel to read some of her texts. This is not to say that I didn’t appreciate the other panels views, but I was more easily acquainted with hers. It was astonishing hearing her family history through the friendship of her granddaugher and a baby big. She painted pictures in my mind of her family working hard on the farm and the strong relationships within it. She presented a family situation that could help explain the beliefs that she holds about reading and writing and how it affects the world on grander scales (economics for example. I have to come back to that in some way you know :)). She is a member of the Silver Leos, an established group of 50 year old seniors and upper retirees who took part in the academic environment of Texas A&M University-Commerce when it was known as East Texas. I plan to go to the memoir workshop and see any additional members, in addition to Bobbe herself. Hopefully, she and others can provide me with a first-hand account of past school practices and traditions.
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