My discussion group this week analyzed the effects of bias on a reader’s interpretation of a text, as well as the near impossibility of satisfactory objectivity in certain cases. The text that we focused on was chapter 8, “Mapmaking, Counter-Mapping, and Map Art in the Mapping of Palestine” of Denis Wood’s book Rethinking the Power of Maps.
Straightaway, we recognized the blatantly biased perspective of the writer in favor of Palestine, as evidenced in his word choice and tone. As such, we as the readers knew to take his statements with a grain of salt. We realized that’s not to say that he was wrong or not an expert on the topic, only that there is more than one side to every story. As students and scholars, we agreed that we should strive to understand all perspectives using the provided evidence, instead of forming preconceived judgments.
In addition, we noted that a topic as controversial and divisive as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been raging for nearly a century, is one in which no commentator can ever be “correct” or “objective” on. There is one side that is bound to disagree or find fault, so the best way to approach such a topic is with an awareness of bias and an open mind to learn.
