Srividya Ramasubramanian on Gordon Allport

Abstract

Exploring the Roots of Digital and Media Literacy through Personal Narrative provides a wide-ranging look at the origins, concepts, theories, and practices of the field. This unique, exciting collection of essays by a range of distinguished scholars and practitioners offers insights into the scholars and thinkers who fertilized the minds of those who helped shape the theory and practice of digital and media literacy education.
Each chapter describes an individual whom the author considers to be a type of "grandparent." By weaving together two sets of personal stories-that of the contributing author and that of the key ideas and life history of the historical figure under their scrutiny-major concepts of digital media and learning emerge. In this chapter Srividya Ramasubramanian explores how Gordon Allport's scholarship on radio studies, prejudice, and intergroup relations has greatly influenced digital and media literacy. She also writes about how the work of other role models such as Gandhi and her journalist great grandfather, K.P. Vishwanatha Iyer, have shaped her interest and commitment to media literacy, cultural diversity, and social justice.