Response to: Literature from the Modern Middle East: Making a Living Connection

The article "Literature from the Modern Middle East: Making a Living Connection" was a great introduction to the practice of teaching and learning about the Middle East. As adults and students we are expected to have a certain level of knowledge about current affairs and world issues, without ever being taught about these things in a formal setting. Admittedly, I am not as proactive about seeking news and facts about currents events and what is going on in the world as I maybe should be. Although I definitely understand the importance of knowing such information, the demands of work, school, and a personal life take precedence, and my quest for knowledge on current affairs is pushed to the side.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. Of course, then I was 13 and in the eighth grade, and now I am almost 22 and in my Senior year of college. On that day there were so many questions raised about the Middle East; its people, their values. Questions that I honestly still have yet to answer.There were no formal lessons throughout my middle school, high school, or college careers about these issues, even with a war going on that directly affects so many of us.

The war in the Middle East has been going on for nearly a decade of my life, and yet I know little about it. I know people who have served in Iraq. I see pieces on the news about the war. I see ads for TV shows depicting military life during wartimes. Yet, I am ashamed to say my knowledge about the Middle East and its people is rather limited. As an understanding person, I do not harbor bad feelings for people of a Middle Eastern decent. I understand the basic facts of what is going on, but my connections to what is really going on in the Middle East stops there. I see so many positive aspects to teaching Middle Eastern literature and culture in the classroom, in part because I wish that this kind of learning had taken place in my school or classes.

In an ideal world, classes and lessons should be interesting and relevant to students. Obviously, this is not always the case, but I believe with this subject we really have an opportunity to do so. This subject has great relevance in multiple subject areas. Teaching Middle Eastern literature would seem relevant and most likely more interesting to today's student. Not only would students enrich their minds through literature, but ideas and thoughts about culture, differences, modern issues, and an unknown world would come into play.

With these thoughts in mind, I embrace the chance to study Middle Eastern culture, literature, and media. This is an area in which I know very little, but am very interested in studying and learning more about.