The Cannon

       One of the interesting elements of this program is the cohort structure and during SI the inter-generational groups. Each aspect enables us, as students, to learn from each other and grow as individuals. My study group is wonderful. We have a strong collegiality and have fostered each others’ growth and transformation from 1^st year doc. students to those entering our 3^rd year.

            This process is somewhat reflective the book that all SI students read, The Boys in the Boat . . by D. J. Brown,  a narrative about the struggles and triumphs, both on and off the water, of the 1936 U.S. Olympic rowing team. Like the process of earning a PhD there are moments when we want to give up or give in, not “trust the process.” Like the “boys” there is an end in sight, defense and the conferring of the degree. Also like the “boys” there is no shame in set backs and self-doubt as there are others to bolster your progress.

            The use of inter-generational groups to discuss both books and ALFs enables students not only be exposed to the other cohorts readings and ALFs, it fosters an environment in which intellectual discussions are able to take place.  Although the focus is mostly about the assigned work often times groups veer off course, not losing the way, but enhancing the journey. For example, within the context of group work on the ALFs our dialogue morphed into a discussion about sexism leading to a discussion of the PhD program’s cannon of literature and the bias within the readings.

            The inter-generational generational group I am assigned to is comprised of two 3^rd year white males (one who is former career military and now has a high level IT position within the government and an OT), one 2^nd year Black man (working in higher education), one 1^st year male immigrant from India (former COO and current business owner) and one 3rd year Hispanic Jew female – me – (working in higher education). The discussion broached the topic that our readings for this SI are all written by White males, although one book was about the plight of minorities and another addressed the use of faultily research to support various understandings of eugenics. We mused over the cannon and the absence of minority authors and set forth the following queries: Are there no minorities who are authoring works that could be used within the PhD program? Is this an implicit bias? Are book choices based on the current “best sellers?” Is the best literature that is available to our studies only written by Whites?

           The discourse led to names of authors who might fit the bill of minority and academic quality writing: Paul Freire, Myles Horton, Bell Hooks, Cornell West, Ariel Levy, Scaachi Koul, Bynard Rustian. Our discussion was not more than 15 minutes long total and we developed this short list and even more . . . while presenting a short overview and the validly of their work in this program. Perhaps this discussion will lead to something or perhaps, often like the minority voice in society, it will be a small cry in a wilderness of Whiteness.

Small sample of the program's cannon and my research