Old habits die hard.  This is the simple foundation upon which the idea of “slipping” is built.  In moments of weakness, we revert to our old ways, often unintentionally.  We often speak before we think and the result occasionally offends others.  Such “slips” of the tongue can be shocking to others and embarrassing to ourselves.  Regardless of this, slipping is necessary for us to grow as individuals and a society.

Cleaning Up  

"Slipping": the act of associative mis-speaking and the importance of attending to the gaps that open up when we mis-step, mis-speak. As I read Anne's essay titled, "Slipping", I found this quote very thought-provoking. "Instead of chastising people for "slipping", for describing the way in which they honestly think about the world, perhaps we should consider the meaning behind words spoken in our moments of "slipping" and really think about how they speak to our world … sometimes only by slipping and falling to the floor do we notice that there is something down there that needs to be cleaned up" (Pg. 256).  

Slipping is an (unintentional) violation of another’s beliefs/experiences without the understanding/lack of empathy of how that other(s) may be impacted before the misstep.  Because we come from different experiences and beliefs we cannot calculate all the reactions of how others in the given space may react to what we say/do.  The reason slippage, in my opinion, cannot mean just a simple, “slip of the tongue”, is because the violator does not/ or does not want to think of the impact it may have on others based on their own experiences with this thing/action.  It is important to notice that I have also called out the fact that the violator may be aware of the impact it may have on some yet they do not want to think of its effects because it alter the way they once thought it.

Kate Weiler

            Slipping happens when a person does something intentionally or subconsciously that is not socially acceptable.  This could be saying a rude, racist comment or making assumptions based on the way someone looks.  It can also be giving into social norms or ignoring a problem that should be dealt with.  Ursula Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” demonstrates a society of people who are constantly slipping.

In “Slipping into Something More Comfortable” the concept of “slipping” is introduced as “an act of associative miss-speaking”. Meaning it could be a Freudian slip, stereotyping, even micro aggression. It is usually negative but can be positive such as acts of regression into playful child-like behavior, however for the sake of this paper I will be focusing on the negative aspects of slipping. Therefore slips that are offensive and even harmful will be the main focus as I analyze the short story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”.

Princess Jefferson

A Slip Between the Cracks

            “A slip up…or a Slip out?” After attending and taking part in the class discussion for my E-Sem, English- writing class, it became apparent to me that, we (my class, and society), all share different perspectives of slippage. Not that I was unaware of this before, my thoughts were just validated in our class time. To some, they believe that slippage is mistakenly saying something that you did not necessarily mean to say; to others slippage is defined as the act of allowing yourself to be honest. I do not fully agree nor do I fully disagree with the concepts that my peers have drawn regarding this term, I simply believe that there is more to slippage than, “a slip of the tongue.”

Slipping, as described in Anne Dalke’s chapter of the same name, is a multifaceted and rather complicated term to define. The process of slipping has become even more apparent as we make our way into the 21^st century and come in contact with people of various ethnicities and races. Slipping should not be thought of as outright racist comments, but simply small remarks or actions that reveal ingrained racial bias, prejudice, or a disregard for the cultures of others. However, it is important to note that slipping is not always done in an attempt to offend or hurt; it may be, exactly as the term itself suggests, a simple mistake.

http://www.penn.museum/exhibitions/special-exhibitions/imagine-africa

http://www.penn.museum/sites/imagineafrica/about/

thinking about a crowdsourced exhibit, in terms of feedback and interactions between viewers and what that entails. whiteboards? movable boards? some ideas for our exhibit?

Jessica B. Harris '68 Donates Items to Smithsonian National Museum of African Amerian History and Culture--which we'll visit @ the end of the month!