Unit12ACaseofSevereBias综合教程四

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1、Unit-12-A-Case-of-Unit-12-A-Case-of-“Severe-Bias”“Severe-Bias”综合教综合教程四程四Watch the movie clip and answer the following questions.1.What did Joanna want from her parents?Audiovisual supplementCultural informationShe wanted her parents to state absolutely clearly that they had no objections and she wan

2、ted their blessing for her marriage.He was highly-educated,mature,polite and realistic.2.What do you think of John?Audiovisual supplementCultural informationGuess Who is Coming to Dinner Mrs.Drayton:Would anybody like a cup of coffee?Mr.Drayton:What did she Mrs.Drayton say when Joanna told her?Did s

3、he raise any objections?John:None so far.There hasnt been much time.Joanna:What objections?Dad,I know this was sort of a shock because its also sudden and unexpected and it never occurred to me that I might fall in love with a negro.But I did,and nothing in the world is gonna change that.Even if you

4、 had any objections,I would not let him go now even if you were the governor of Alabama,I mean if Mom were.So tell him,will you?Tell John if you have any objections and then you can go play golf.Audiovisual supplementCultural informationMr.Drayton:What is it that you expect me to say?If you want me

5、to think about it,then you should give me the time to think about it,wont you?The doctor said you had a problem;you certainly have.But if you are expecting any sensible statement from me,youll have to give me some time to think about it.Does that sound reasonable?John:Its reasonable,Mr.Drayton,but n

6、ot quite practical.Mrs.Drayton:You see,Matt,theres sort of a special problem.John:See,Ive got to fly to New York tonight and to Switzerland tomorrow night.Mrs.Drayton:Yes,and what Joey wants,what she proposes,is to go to Geneva herself so that they can be married within the next couple of weeks.Audi

7、ovisual supplementCultural informationMr.Drayton:What the hell with all that rush?Joanna:Well we know we want to get married and unless somebody does have some objections,why should we waste anytime.John and I aint going to change our minds.Mr.Drayton:Are you saying,are you telling me that you want

8、an answer today about how your mother and I feel?Joanna:Of course we do.We want you and mother to state absolutely clearly that you have no objections whatever.And when we do get married,we will have your blessing.Audiovisual supplementCultural information1.The black middle classAudiovisual suppleme

9、ntCultural informationThe black middle class,within the United States,refers to African Americans who occupy a middle class status within the American class structure,those who own their own home or small business,and by the strictest definition,those with a degree from college.2.Challenges facing t

10、he black middle classAudiovisual supplementCultural informationl Downward mobility:45%of children from a black middle class family end up“near poor”,while 16%of children from a white middle class family end up“near poor”.l Financial crisis:33%of the black middle class was in danger of falling out of

11、 the middle class at the start of the recession.3.CommentsAudiovisual supplementCultural informationl The best guarantee of durable,amicable race relations in America is the continued growth of a strong,self-confident black middle class.The Timesl There is little doubt that middle-class black Americ

12、a is 3040 years ahead of us back in Blighty(a slang referring to Britain).The GuardianThis selection originally appeared in Newsweek,1989.In the text the author contrasts media images of black Americans with the reality of their lives,emphasizing what black Americans are not.Rhetorical featuresStruc

13、tural analysis(Paragraphs 14 16):The author calls for action to correct the distorted media image of blacks and make blacks and their contributions to American society recognized.Rhetorical featuresStructural analysisThe text can be divided into the following three parts:Part I(Paragraphs 1 3):This

14、part brings up the topic that the media have distorted the image of black Americans out of a severe bias,and most blacks,including the author herself,are not at all like what is depicted in the media.Part II(Paragraphs 4 13):This part gives a detailed description of the fact that the media have pres

15、ented a biased image of black America and transmitted it to the whole country as the norm.Part III Rhetorical featuresStructural analysisIn this text,the punctuation mark dash has been used in many sentences.For instance,Day after day,week after week,this message that black America is dysfunctional

16、and unwhole gets transmitted across the American landscape.Nor is it a matter of closing ones eyes to the very real problems of the urban underclass which undeniably is disproportionately black.(Interrupting a sentence)And as self-reliant as most black Americans are because weve had to be self-relia

17、nt even the strongest among us still crave affirmation.(Interrupting a sentence)I want America to know us all of us for who we really are.(Putting special emphasis)That is the real portrait of black America that were strong people,surviving people,capable people.(Introducing an explanation)Rhetorica

18、l featuresStructural analysisPracticeFind more sentences in the text in which dash is used and explain its usage in them.Detailed readingA CASE OF“SEVERE BIAS”Patricia Raybon1 This is who I am not.I am not a crack addict.I am not a welfare mother.I am not illiterate.I am not a prostitute.I have neve

19、r been in jail.My children are not in gangs.My husband doesnt beat me.My home is not a tenement.None of these things defines who I am,nor do they describe the other black people Ive known and worked with and loved and befriended over these forty years of my life.2 Nor does it describe most of black

20、America,period.Detailed reading3 Yet in the eyes of the American news media,this is what black America is:poor,criminal,addicted,and dysfunctional.Indeed,media coverage of black America is so one-sided,so imbalanced that the most victimized and hurting segment of the black community a small segment,

21、at best is presented not as the exception but as the norm.It is an insidious practice,all the uglier for its blatancy.4 In recent months,I have observed a steady offering of media reports on crack babies,gang warfare,violent youth,poverty,and homelessness and in most cases,the people featured in the

22、 photos and stories were black.At the same time,articles that discuss other aspects of American life from home buying to medicine to technology to nutrition rarely,if ever,show blacks playing a positive role,or for that matter,any role at all.5 Day after day,week after week,this message that black A

23、merica is dysfunctional and unwhole gets transmitted across the American landscape.Sadly,as a result,America never learns the truth about what is actually a wonderful,vibrant,creative community of people.6 Most black Americans are not poor.Most black teenagers are not crack addicts.Most black mother

24、s are not on welfare.Indeed,in sheer numbers,more white Americans are poor and on welfare than are black.Yet one never would deduce that by watching television or reading American newspapers and magazines.Detailed reading7 Why do the American media insist on playing this myopic,inaccurate picture ga

25、me?In this game,white America is always whole and lovely and healthy,while black America is usually sick and pathetic and deficient.Rarely,indeed,is black America ever depicted in the media as functional and self-sufficient.The free press,indeed,as the main interpreter of American culture and Americ

26、an experience,holds the mirror on American reality so much so that what the media say is is,even if its not that way at all.The media are guilty of a severe bias and the problem screams out for correction.It is worse than simply lazy journalism,which is bad enough;it is inaccurate journalism.Detaile

27、d reading8 For black Americans like myself,this isnt just an issue of vanity of wanting to be seen in a good light.Nor is it a matter of closing ones eyes to the very real problems of the urban underclass which undeniably is disproportionately black.To be sure,problems besetting the black underclass

28、 deserve the utmost attention of the media,as well as the understanding and concern of the rest of American society.Detailed reading9 But if their problems consistently are presented as the only reality for blacks,any other experience known in the black community ceases to have validity,or to be rea

29、l.In this scenario,millions of blacks are relegated to a sort of twilight zone,where who we are and what we are isnt based on fact but an image and perception.Thats what it feels like to be a black American whose lifestyle is outside of the aberrant behavior that the media present as the norm.10 For

30、 many of us,life is a curious series of encounters with white people who want to know why we are“different”from other blacks when,in fact,most of us are only“different”from the now common negative images of black life.So pervasive are these images that they arent just perceived as the norm,theyre ac

31、cepted as the norm.Detailed reading11 I am reminded,for example,of the controversial Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing and the criticism by some movie reviewers that the films ghetto neighborhood isnt populated by addicts and drug pushers and thus is not a true depiction.12 In fact,millions of black

32、 Americans live in neighborhoods where the most common sights are children playing and couples walking their dogs.In my own inner-city neighborhood in Denver an area that the local press consistently describes as“gang territory”I have yet to see a recognizable“gang”member or any“gang”activity(drug d

33、ealing or drive-by shootings),nor have I been the victim of“gang violence”.Detailed reading13 Yet to students of American culture in the case of Spike Lees film,the movie reviewers a black,inner-city neighborhood can only be one thing to be real:drug-infested and dysfunctioning.Is this my ego talkin

34、g?In part,yes.For the millions of black people like myself ordinary,hard-working,law-abiding,tax-paying Americans the medias blindness to the fact that we even exist,let alone to our contributions to American society,is a bitter cup to drink.And as self-reliant as most black Americans are because we

35、ve had to be self-reliant even the strongest among us still crave affirmation.Detailed reading14 I want that.I want it for my children.I want it for all the beautiful,healthy,funny,smart black Americans I have known and loved over the years.15 And I want it for the rest of America,too.16 I want Amer

36、ica to know us all of us for who we really are.To see us in all of our complexity,our subtleness,our artfulness,our enterprise,our specialness,our loveliness,our American-ness.That is the real portrait of black America that were strong people,surviving people,capable people.That may be the best-kept

37、 secret in America.If so,its time to let the truth be known.Detailed readingWhat is the image of black people in the American news media?(Paragraph 3)They are depicted as poor,criminal,addicted and dysfunctional.Detailed readingWhy do the American media insist on playing this myopic,inaccurate pictu

38、re game?(Paragraph 7)Because they have a severe bias against black people and create a bad image of them.Detailed readingWhat are the problems of the urban black underclass?(Paragraph 8)Poverty,crime,addiction and dysfunctional relationships.Detailed readingWhat does the author mean by the phrase“tw

39、ilight zone”?(Paragraphs 9)“Twilight zone”refers to a gray area,a border in-between two or more things that is unclearly defined,a border that is hard to define or even impossible to define.Here the author means that the image of blacks remains unclear,because of the discrepancy between the image de

40、picted by the media and the image in reality.Detailed readingWhy does the author think it is necessary to have a real portrait of black America?(Paragraphs 16)It is because black people deserve an objective and truthful evaluation of their contribution to American society and history.They can no lon

41、ger bear a distorted image based on a severe racial bias.Detailed readingGroup discussion:There is no doubt that media is playing an essential role in almost every aspect of our life.Please discuss with your classmates the major areas media cover.You may refer to text.Detailed readingilliterate:a.e.

42、g.You must be illiterate if youve never heard of Marx.He is musically illiterate.Detailed readingnot able to read or write Translation:无论他是百万富翁还是乞丐，无论他是知识分子还是文盲，无论他是百万富翁还是乞丐，无论他是知识分子还是文盲，他的母亲都永远爱他。他的母亲都永远爱他。No matter he is a millionaire or a beggar,educated or illiterate,his mother loves him forever

43、._我给她读莎士比亚优美的十四行诗，但在这样没文化的人我给她读莎士比亚优美的十四行诗，但在这样没文化的人面前，简直是对牛弹琴。面前，简直是对牛弹琴。I read that beautiful Shakespearean sonnet to her,but it was pearls before swine to such an illiterate person._Detailed reading addicted:a.unable to stop taking or using sth.as a habite.g.become addicted to drugs,alcohol,tobac

44、co,etc.strongly interested in sth.as a hobby or pastime e.g.He is addicted to TV soap operas.Translation:他醉心于诗歌，希望有一天自己成为诗人。他醉心于诗歌，希望有一天自己成为诗人。He was addicted to poetry and hoped one day to be a poet himself._他是个旅行迷。他是个旅行迷。He was an addicted traveler._dysfunctional:a.Detailed readinge.g.Children fro

45、m a dysfunctional family is more likely to be shy.abnormally functioning functionalAntonym:e.g.After repairs,the railroad is functional again.Im hardly functional if I dont get eight hours sleep!insidious:aDetailed readinge.g.He had insidiously wormed his way into her affections.The leaflets were a

46、more insidious form of propaganda.spreading or acting gradually and unnoticed but with harmful effectse.g.a sinister motive/actionThere was something cold and sinister about him.a menacing face/toneAt night,the dark streets become menacing.Synonym:sinister,menacingwarfare:n.e.g.There were many count

47、ries engaged in warfare.Detailed readingthe activity of fighting a war,especially using particular weapons or methods the activity of competing in an aggressive way with another group,company,etc.e.g.The debate soon degenerated into open warfare.Detailed readingwarfare&warComparison:warfare:the acti

48、vity of fighting in a war,used esp.when talking about particular methods of fightinge.g.diplomatic/economic warfarewar:fighting between two or more countries or opposing groups within a country,involving large numbers of soldiers and weaponse.g.If a war breaks out,many other countries will be affect

49、ed.Detailed readingthe state of receiving money paid by the government to support ones life e.g.More and more people are living on welfare as a result of the financial crisis.on welfare:Translation:他们宁愿工作也不愿靠福利过活。他们宁愿工作也不愿靠福利过活。They would rather work than live on welfare._他们往往认为靠福利过活的人是寄生虫。他们往往认为靠福利

50、过活的人是寄生虫。They tend to regard people on welfare as parasites._Detailed readinge.g.Detectives deduced from the clues who had committed the crime.We deduce from his behavior that he is trying to gain attention.deduce:varrive at(facts,a theory,etc.)by reasoning;infer sth.Derivation:deduction e.g.Its an

51、obvious deduction that she is guilty.The dividend will be paid without the deduction of tax.myopic:a.medical unable to see things clearly that are far away Detailed readinge.g.He thinks that Dolly is myopic and should see a good doctor.unwilling or unable to think about the future e.g.He is politica

52、lly myopic.The government still has a myopic attitude to public spending.e.g.He was too short-sighted to focus on the object.Only a short-sighted man will lose sight of the importance of education.Synonym:short-sighted pathetic:a.Detailed readinge.g.His answers were pathetically inadequate.causing o

53、ne to feel pity or sadness e.g.The pathetic sight of starving children made her burst into cry.extremely inadequate;contemptibleTranslation:他的眼泪引起了在场人的怜悯。他的眼泪引起了在场人的怜悯。His tears were pathetic to witness._她跳舞跳得好，但唱歌就差劲了。她跳舞跳得好，但唱歌就差劲了。She dances well,but as a singer,she is pathetic._interpreter:n.Det

54、ailed readinga person whose job is to translate what sb.is saying into another language e.g.Speaking through an interpreter,the President said that the talks were going well.a person who performs a piece of music or a role in a play in a way that clearly shows its meaning e.g.She was considered one

55、of the finest interpreters of Debussys music.Detailed readinginterpreter&translatorComparison:interpreter:a person who interprets,esp.one who translates speech orallye.g.He spoke very little English,so I talked to him through an interpreter.translator:a person who translates writing or speech into a

56、 different language.e.g.His love of language inclined him towards a career as a translator.Detailed reading(be)guilty of:e.g.The jury found the defendant not guilty of the offence.Weve all been guilty of selfishness at some time in our lives.having done sth.illegal;(being)responsible for sth.bad tha

57、t has happened Translation:他犯了重大的判断失误。他犯了重大的判断失误。He was guilty of an important misjudgment._他因侵犯我的隐私权被判有罪。他因侵犯我的隐私权被判有罪。He was given a sentence for being guilty of intrusion upon my privacy._Read in a good light lest it should hurt your eyes.e.g.Detailed readingin a good light:with a proper lighting

58、 conditionOptimists tend to see things in a good light.e.g.from a positive perspective Translation:把这幅画挂在光线充足的地方，否则没人能看得见。把这幅画挂在光线充足的地方，否则没人能看得见。Hang the picture in a good light,otherwise no one can see it._如果我们对一个人的第一印象很好，那么以后我们对他的如果我们对一个人的第一印象很好，那么以后我们对他的印象就很难变坏。印象就很难变坏。If we see a person first in

59、 a good light,it is difficult subsequently to darken that light._Detailed readingunderclass:n.As an urban underclass,he has very limited access to health care.The long-term unemployed are becoming a new underclass.e.g.the lowest social class,consisting of people who are very poor and who are not lik

60、ely to be able to improve their situationSynonyms:lower class I am from one of the lower classes and Im proud of it.e.g.Detailed readingbeset:v.surround(sb./sth.)on all sides;trouble constantly;threaten The voyage was beset with dangers.The team was beset by injury all season.e.g.Translation:他疑虑重重。他

61、疑虑重重。He was beset by doubts._我们在沼泽地受到蚊子的围攻。我们在沼泽地受到蚊子的围攻。In the swamp,we were beset by mosquitoes._Detailed readingvalidity:n.The period of validity of the agreement has expired.e.g.the state of being legally or officially acceptable We had doubts about the validity of their argument.e.g.the state o

62、f being logical and trueSynonyms:soundness,legitimacyHe now enjoys soundness of mind and body.I doubt the soundness of the theory.the legitimacy of the governmentIt is difficult to judge the legitimacy of the child.e.g.Detailed readingscenario:n.Imagine a scenario where only 20%of people have a job.

63、e.g.a situation that could possibly happenwritten outline of a film,play,etc.with details of the scenes and plot It looked ominously like we were about to repeat the earlier scenario.e.g.Detailed readingbe relegated to:I have been relegated to the role of a mere assistant.e.g.be given a lower or les

64、s important position,rank,etc.than beforeSynonyms:be downgraded to,be reduced to Shes been downgraded from principal to deputy.The embassy will be downgraded to a trade office.They were reduced to begging or starving.Every building in this area was reduced to rubble.e.g.Detailed readingtwilight zone

65、:a gray area,a border in-between two or more things that is unclearly defined,a border that is hard to define or even impossible to defineWrestling is in a twilight zone between sport and entertainment.e.g.Translation:生活和生存之间的模糊地带生活和生存之间的模糊地带the twilight zone between living and merely existing_法院这一新

66、的大胆举动，势必产生权限不明的情况。法院这一新的大胆举动，势必产生权限不明的情况。The effect of the courts new departure was to create a twilight zone of authority._Detailed readingaberrant:a.aberrant behavior/ideasan rocket on an aberrant coursee.g.not following the normal or correct way Antonym:anomalous,deviantHe is in an anomalous position as the only part-time worker in the firm.These beliefs are labeled deviant by the majority.e.g.Detailed readingpervasive:a.A sense of social change is pervasive in her novels.e.g.existing in all