POSITIVE STORIES IN THE CLASSROOM BY MOHAMMAD ALMASRI
In fall 2020, I taught a course on Arabic media and
The interesting part for my students was that
politics for students in their senior year in the
grandmothers were mostly happy with this
Arabic program at OU. In this course, we usually
change, despite its apparent inconvenience. It
discuss selections from Arabic media: online
presented them with a challenge but also with an
newspapers, videos, interviews, social media
opportunity to connect with the kids and their
activities, etc. The goal is to survey and discuss
busy parents. One of the grandmothers stated in
what makes it to news in some Arabic-speaking
the article that she won’t send her grandchildren
countries. One of the selections last fall focused
to nurseries, even if they reopen. The reason, she
on the impact of the pandemic on grandmothers
explained, is that her daughter had taken care of
in Jordan. The article describes the changes
her, not sending her to a senior home (where
imposed as a result of the pandemic and provides
older adults do not really prefer to spend their
some interviews with a few grandmothers. It
lives), and the grandmother saw this child care as
provides different aspects of how the pandemic
providing a favor in return. The different
changed peoples’ lives.
interviews gave examples of how people are creating their own networks to support each
The grandmothers interviewed in the newspaper
other when the government is unable to provide
article discussed risks and opportunities
sufficient care during the pandemic.
associated with the pandemic. Coronavirus forced them to restrict their social activities, provide a
The article and the interviews gave the students a
higher level of sanitization, limit their social
positive take: not everything about the pandemic
gatherings, avoid direct contact with strangers
is actually bad. Some people have had to make
and limit their shopping activities. And because
adjustments that eventually changed their lives in
most nurseries shut their doors at the start of the
a positive manner. Bringing a story like this into
pandemic, they also had to begin caring for their
the classroom gave students the opportunity not
grandchildren while their daughters or sons went
only to learn about Arabic media and culture, but
to work. Suddenly, grandmothers were back in the
also to consider a fresh perspective on the
role of mother, taking care of the children,
pandemic's impact.
preparing them for online school meetings, preparing their food, taking them to the mosques
Mohammad Almasri is ConocoPhilips Associate
for religious services (before mosques were shut
Professor of Arabic Language, Literature and
down), and generally meeting their needs.
Culture in the Department of International & Area Studies.
WWW.OU.EDU/CIS • SPRING 2021 • COMPASS: PANDEMIC EDITION
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