The fate of humanities researchers - Nov. 7, 2023

I just attended a seminar for my junior's graduate thesis. The workshop today was led by a junior who had studied abroad. She explores how mass culture reflects social, racial, and gender stereotypes, drawing on a statement by bell hooks, a prominent social and feminist activist. Her perspectives are truly insightful, undoubtedly influenced by her year of study in the US. I feel I have something to learn from her in every workshop.

Today, we delved into topics like "Inter-sexuality," "a post-racial society," and "color-blindness." Additionally, I gained insights into new concepts like "speculative narrative" and "Afrofuturism." Thanks to my juniors, my knowledge and critical thinking skills are constantly improving. Thanks, my juniors!

When we take a birds-eye view, we find it hard to simply enjoy works for their entertainment value. We tend to look at things objectively, considering them from a humanistic perspective. She mentioned that she also wants to enjoy movies purely for fun, much like her friends who aren't well-versed in American literature and humanities. I resonate with her sentiment because I usually find myself getting critical while reading novels. However, this critical perspective helps us discern between good and bad works. This may be the fate of humanities researchers.