Gotcha! I bet you thought this was a title for a pornographic film. Sorry, no: your assumption, your misunderstanding. Isn't it amazing how many assumptions--and/or logical fallacies lead to so many misunderstandings?

Daisy is my dog (pictured above). She's going to star in a movie, Daisy Straps It On! -- with contributions from various folks. It's part of a larger, multi-media diversity issues project that I have ongoing with several of the classes I teach at Kent State University.

What does it mean to "embrace diversity" or to "tolerate difference"? Who or what is the "other" and why? How does such language affect us, both on personal and professional levels? How is the language of acceptance avoided, altered or otherwise affected by the language of un-acceptance?

The members of this group are exploring the origins and effects of communication and miscommunication: assumptions, discrimination, bigotry, prejudice, and misunderstanding. They have an over-riding theme under which they are exploring this topic that is focused upon such issues as those involving race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, labor, gender, sexuality and/or abilities/disabilities.

Researching for a composition class at Kent State University Trumbull, these students are generating papers and multimedia projects that address a particular point of the above general focus. Some students are creating PowerPoint projects while others are creating online Blogs. Still others are going to pour the findings, conclusions and/or inspirations of their research into a small film.

It is hoped that these various projects will ultimately find their way into the production of a larger film about the effects of affected communication upon diversity issues. The name of the film is DAISY STRAPS IT ON! What is the first think you think of when you read such a title for a film? It is that sort of miscommunication/misunderstanding that this group is exploring. In the film, Daisy is a dog who straps on a camera to explore the above questions, questions to which these students will hopefully find at least hints of answers.

This page has been designed and constructed by Dr. Carol L. Robinson.
LAST UPDATED: 1/20/08