After class on November sixth, I was considering how eco-composition is more than just writing about nature. It is writing about how we have evolved as a result of our nature both physically, psychologically, and intellectually. Geographic locations have created different races and cultures, and that has led to different ideals, mentalities, beliefs, and religions.
It is a thoughtful way to begin considering how we can provide our students with perspective. If we can impart on them ideas of how history has led to our current thought processes, ideals, and moralistic views, maybe they can then be thoughtful about their in-class interactions and arguments that they are beginning to formulate in their writing.
Sometimes, I think, it can be hard to provide our students with new perspectives. They get defensive when their ideas are challenged, and it is so easy for a teacher or a classroom full of students to further push one student into their narrow perspective. If we can show them how each perspective is reflective of location and differing intellectual ideals, maybe we can allow them to open up to understanding. This would be helpful for all the students because while one may seem particularly disagreeable to us as teachers, all of the students must learn that their perspective is created through certain cultural values, and we’re really all “drinking the kool-aid” to one degree or another.