Re: The Conspiracy of Shakespeare

I just read an essay on a young girls experience with two different readings of Shakespeare; one reading glorified the historical, literary icon who may have contributed more than any other person to the establishment of the Center; secondly, there is the reading that recognizes Prospero as the colonizer to Caliban.  I, too, had this same experience.  I can't recall my first Shakespearean class even though I recieved an above average mark; however, when I encounter Shakespeare through a Post-Colonial lens it open'd my eyes to a much broader scope.  Not only was the reading different, it was one I felt more connected with.  In other words, understanding Caliban represented as a deformed, marginalized figure.  It actually gave me more of an appreciation, not for Shakespeare, but for his work.  In all actuality, I may have more of an affinity toward Christopher Marlow than Shakespeare.  I makes me recall the essence of Mis-education of the Negro by Dr. Woodson.  Does a traditional reading of Shakespeare contribute to the Mis-education of Black America?  With the diversity in culture, there has to be a type of hybridity in contextual readings.  To give a text one reading, would be to give the world one culture.

Re: Reference Point

Lately, I mean for the last few months, I've been spending time reflecting on reference points.  What does a person reference, what helps her/him determine, many of the decisions she/he makes?  Being an advid reader, it has allowed me exposure to many different and new ideas and concepts.  I mean, when i recommended my daughter to study law, it wasn't to join the firm, it had more to do with, 1.) studying English Literature, I read many of the young men studied law, not to be lawyers, but to take over the family estate.  That was the first time I had read anything like that; 2.) When you look at two of the most iconic figures in Black history, you can't dismiss they were both lawyers:  Barack Obama and Reginald Lewis.  These were my reference points.  If someone was to open a business, I would assume he/she would know the stories of Dell, Wal-mart, and a host of others.  In essence, I'm still getting at the joy-reason-of reading.  To be exposed to concepts or ideas that one may not find amongst the common minds.