A developing entry...
Discovered a couple of days ago, this is a longer-term US oral history project.
StoryCorps (SC) is a general site - one thing Val and I have been discussing is whether 100V is too specific but then we don't have the infrastructure to support a vehicle like SC - this is an ongoing debate.
SC have a 'National Day of Listening' which falls immediately after Thanksgiving and 'black Friday' (lots of shopping on this annual public holiday)
One thing that is interesting, mentioned on the radio, is that there's some ideas that americans are more likely to have a say in public than we, somewhat more reserved, UK citizens? I don't necessarily agree with such generalisations but they might have a point?
Our Question is: “what are the day-to-day lived experiences of being an early years worker?”
Background
Our aims include collecting the views, opinions and thoughts of early years practitioners…housing peoples’ stories
In a busy world, one value of oral history (recollections from today and in the past) is that if we don’t capture something in these times of change, it will be lost!
In a busy world, one value of oral history (recollections from today and in the past) is that if we don’t capture something in these times of change, it will be lost!
1 comment:
Being the 'token' American on the team I will contribute my thoughts by saying that I think it is possible that Americans would be more likely to contribute to something like StoryCorps (SC) than British people because from a young age and through adulthood Americans are taught to protect their rights as individuals.
In American Schools (at least the ones I have worked in), the idea of being unique and different from others is completely encouraged and embraced. Children are taught to speak up for themselves and speak their minds from a very young age. Curriculum is designed to be completely child centred and directed and the idea of having a 'child of the week' where individuals are highlighted is not uncommon.
Historically speaking the idea of individual rights stems right back to colonial times in the Revolutionary War of 1776 where colonists were revolting against the Crown for their own individual rights as independent colonists which the Monarchy thought was ludicrous at the time. It turns out the Americans won on that fact. ;)
Other elements of the American culture which support this idea are the current and continued strength of working unions protecting individuals rights the automotive and teaching industries- almost to the detriment of individuals now in this economic crisis. Also the widely accepted belief that protesting against government and large corporations infringing on personal rights is an acceptable practice.
These ideas are contrasted here in the UK where the idea of ‘keeping a stiff upper lip’ and to ‘keep calm and carry on’ has been reinforced historically.
I feel these cultural differences would have implications for people going into a booth to share their own personal plights as in the case of SC. However, I think it is an excellent idea and one that would be embraced by those who chose to participate – no matter what culture they are from.
Speaking of allowing your voices to be heard despite cultural norms to the contrary. I saw this film today about women in Africa who were taught to make a film of their stories as a way of raising AIDS awareness which I found particularly powerful. Here’s the Link:
http://www.watermeetssky.com/
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