'Whale Rider' Reading Response 8

In Steven Weiland's chapter, "Whale Rider: Culture, Cosmopolitanism, and Unofficial Schooling," he analyses the ways in which the film has challenged traditional schooling methods. His term, "unofficial schooling," is essentially a form of teaching that is not supported by an institution or government. Koro, the desperate patriarch of the community, is searching for the next leader by organizing the sacred school. The sacred school is specifically for that Maori community and is not enforced by the New Zealand government. Therefore, the sacred school is a form of unofficial schooling. Unofficial schooling is also seen with Paikea and her family. Instead of teaching raw material like language or reading and writing, Paikea's family has taught her about culture and tradition. Koro is particularly stubborn in the "old ways" of Maori culture in the sense of maintaining a patriarchal leadership line. His stubbornness is ultimately his downfall although, he has indirectly taught his granddaughter the importance of family history while also striving for things that matter to her. To some extent, this is a paradox for despite Koro's endless disdain towards his granddaughter, Paikea is determined to reveal hr loyalty to him and her community. 

Another interesting paradox within Whale Rider is the tension between Koro and his son, Porourangi. Due to Porourangi's act of leaving his community behind and disinterest in completing the traditional waka boat, he seems to depict the inability to lead. Although, because of his travels and Koro's influence towards maintaining the "old ways" on him as a father, Porourangi is a perfect example of cosmopolitain leadership. He acts as a middle ground between the old and the new, between the familiar and the unfamiliar and ultimately is someone who can improve the community. 

In relation to paradoxes in my own education, there are endless examples. One of the most glaring and obvious one is how schooling is intended to help you in the adult world, but learning about taxes and money management is not enforced. How do you expect people to live on their own with a degree that does not help them with daily living skills? Another paradox that I am currently struggling with is the idea of work experience. I have been trying to get a job over the summer that relates to Psychology so it will give me experience before grad school. Although, I have been turned down countless times because "I don't have enough experience." How do graduate programs expect you to have prior experience but no one will hire you because you need experience? To be perfectly i am not sure if these are paradoxes but they are sources of tension in my life.   

Weiland, S. (2015). Whale Rider: Culture, cosmopolitanism, and unofficial schooling. In D.P. Liston & I.P. Renga (Eds.) Teaching, learning, and schooling in film: Reel education. New York, NY: Routledge.