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The Degrassi Digest # 30 July 5th 1998
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NEWS: Do you have a Degrassi memory or experience you would like to share?

Have you visited the famous Degrassi Street? Did you meet any of the cast/crew members? Did you have a crush on one of the characters?

Degrassi Legacy http://www.degrassi-junior-high.org The Unofficial Degrassi Website http://www.degrassi.org are seeking submissions for a new article. Each fan will write a few paragraphs and the entries will be combined into an compilation. Please specify your age and where you live (we are hoping to get responses from different countries). Tell us why you love Degrassi and which characters and episodes are your favorites. We are especially seeking testimonials on how the show provided comfort and guidance in your life.

Please submit entries to Mark Polger webmaster@degrassi.org or Natalie Earl natalie@degrassi.org
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The Unofficial Degrassi Website:
http://www.degrassi.org

The Degrassi Digest is also archived at

http://www.escribe.com/tv/degrassi/

This "E-SCRIBE" service will archive future Digests, and if anyone wants to search for anything on it, there is a search tool for searching past issues
on that URL.

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Degrassi World Fan Fiction Episode #11 can be found after this weeks posts, written by Natalie J. Earl
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YOUR POSTS:

Re: The Degrassi Digest #29
Caitlin Ryan
does anybody know?
Degrassi Fan
If only real high school were like Degrassi
Degrassi Rules!
Looking for video
Shows on American TV
Ready or Not
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Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 23:59:07 -0400
From: Ravi Malhotra
To: Degrassi Digest <post@degrassi.org>
Subject: Re: The Degrassi Digest #29

Here's my response to Angela. I have done my best to keep it as professional and polite as possible. It is below.

> From: "Angela ."
> To: webmaster@degrassi.org
> Subject: Re: Ravi's Comments
> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 1998 16:39:10 EDT
>
> Hi Gang,
> I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying the Degrassi Digest. I
> miss seeing the show, and the digest is nice for keeping up on what
> other fans are thinking. I also like the fiction that is posted each
> time. One of these days I'll get around to submitting one myself! I
> would like to take up, however, for the author of the story thst
> involved the character of Maya marrying a non-disabled fellow. I think
> that Ravi got a little too worked up about a minor part of the story. I

At the time, I did not realize it was simply a teaser for a future story. However, I think it is more useful to make my comments now so that any story that is ultimately written might consider these comments.

> don't think that the author was stereotyping anyone, I think that s/he
> was simply clarifying. "Non-disabled" was a discriptive term used to
> help the reader visualize Maya's husband. It was no more discriminatory
> than saying he had blue eyes. Settle down a little bit! You can't be a

Leaving aside Angela's attempt to psychoanalyze me (which I feel is very inappropriate and is often a common, reactionary response when disabled people
draw attention to oppression), the situation is far more complex than Angela would lead one to believe. If it were simply a descriptive term, I would have no problem whatsoever. In fact, there was a disabled guy in the story who is
interested in Maya and she chooses the non-disabled guy over the disabled guy.

Angela completely ignores this dimension of the story. Moreover, while it is not entirely clear, the teaser leaves one with the impression that it is the fact that the non-disabled guy does not have a disability that leads Maya to find him more
attractive than the disabled guy. This I do find very problematic and rather offensive. Imagine if a Degrassi story were written where a Black woman preferred a White guy over a Black guy for
no other reason than he were white. If there were some other reason why Maya preferred the non-disabled guy, then I would not have a problem
with it, although I think the story would make more sense and be less offensive with just
one guy.

I suspect the original author had the best of intentions and probably thought it was "progressive" to have Maya dating a non-disabled guy. But she leaves the impression, however,
that it is better for Maya to be dating a non-disabled guy vs. a disabled guy and that is where the problem lies. Simply from a literary, not political, point of view, I think the story would be
far better with just one guy, disabled or not, who Maya finds attractive for other reasons like common interests.

> very happy person if you go through life thinking that every single thing is discrimination, and that everyone is out to get you. If you

Interestingly, Kyra Levy herself reports, in an article I hope to somehow get to Mark Polger soon, that she had a miserable time in high school and faced a lot of hostility because of her disability. She also faced discrimination from talent agencies. So I don't think this is something that comes from paranoid feelings.

> want to get technical, I think the comment about her husband shows a lot of what Degrassi stood for as far as acceptance and progressiveness: It showed that Maya met a man who was willing to accept her for who she was. And of course every child is a blessing, but I can't think of
> anyone who would want their child to have a life any more difficult than it has to be. Everyone wants their children to be healthy and able, and

Having a disability does not make life any more difficult if society were totally accessible. It is the structural barriers and ignorant attitudes that are the problem; not the disability. And no, I disagree that everyone places not having a disabled child as a
priority. Not to mention that there is a big distinction between being unhealthy and having a disability.

> it's ignorant and selfish to say otherwise. It isn't a negative thing

I don't think it is ignorant at all to want to have children even if there is a risk that a child *might*be disabled. That is the choice of the people involved and a completely legitimate one.

> to have a disabled child, if it happens that way, but if you have the opportunity to lessen the chances of that happening, you would take it.

Some people would take it; some would not. It's a personal choice. Moreover, the "huge chance" discourse warps the argument again. While this may be true for
some disabilities, in many cases, there is simply an increased risk of having a disability. Does a 5% increased risk mean that one should not have a child? You might as well say that the huge
numbers of women who smoke should never have children. Also note that there is no way to predict the level of disability. Most medical conditions vary
dramatically from case to case in terms of the level of impairment. And how far do you take
the logic of lessening the chances? Today, disability can be determined during pregnancy,
not just by pre-conception genetic tests, for both disabled and non-disabled women. The
logic stated above could lead to doctors or even insurance companies (where socialized
medicine does not exist) pressuring women to have abortions of fetuses diagnosed as having
a disability.

In fact, this is a growing problem even though, again, these tests cannot determine the level of disability. The Globe and Mail, Canada's leading newspaper, reported a case where a doctor told a mother that she had a "monster inside her" (likely a child similar
to Maya!).

I don't feel women should be forced or pressured to have abortions just because they might have a child like Maya but that is just as much a danger as forced sterilization. To do so threatens and undermines the equality rights of adults with disabilities. It suggests that it would be better if we (including Maya) had never been born.

> Parents who go ahead and get pregnant even when there is a huge chance of the child having major birth defects (based on genetic tests) are selfish people. And I am not discriminating against anyone, either. No one should be sterilized against their will, but I think people need to make responsible choices. And that goes for everyone, disabled or not.

I don't agree that giving birth to a disabled child is irresponsible. Maya wouldn't be around if one accepts this logic.

Regards,

Ravi

*Mark* Excellent argument Ravi. I agree with some of your comments and I think that people who are not disabled cannot fully empathize. This is normal because people who are not disabled do not understand. Ignorance is inevitable for them, and for many of them ignorance is bliss. Thanks for the arguement. From reading both your arguements, I hope others can see from your point of view.

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Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 20:41:10 +1100
From: Caitlin Ryan
To: webmaster@degrassi.org
Subject: Caitlin Ryan

Hi. I'm lucky enough to share the same name as my favourite degrassi character. Yes, my real name is Caitlin Ryan. I'm 17 years old, and I live in Australia.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that as a recent subscriber to the degrassi digest, I'm loving it!!
It's really great to finally be able to interact in conversation with people who also share my love of the show.
Unfortuantely, Degrassi is no longer playing on Aussie tv, so this digest is really important to me.
So, thanks everyone, and keep up the cool conversation :)
Caitlin

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From: "Amber Nixon"
To: post@degrassi.org
Subject: does anybody know?
Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 17:03:02 PDT

Does anybody know how old Amanda Stepto and Pat are?

*Mark* Pat was born in 1972, and Amanda was born in 1970 I am pretty sure. I do not know their exact birthdays.
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From: "Brett K."
To: <post@degrassi.org>
Subject: Degrassi Fan
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 23:09:31 -0600

Hi my name is Brett. I have been a huge Degrassi fan for many years. Schools Out still ranks as one of my favorite movies. Anyhow I have also wondered about buying Degrassi merchandise like shirts or hats or even a copy of the Zit Remedys hit song. I would greatly appreciate if you
could respond.
Greatly thankful, Brett K.
*Mark* Degrassi memorabilia (T-shirts, tapes, posters, calendars) has been discontinued in its production. There is an overstock of Degrassi Books. Go to http://www.degrassi.org/pertinentaddresses.htm and call up James Lorimer and Co. to enquire about Degrassi Books.
Check out some used record stores, if you are in Toronto. You never know what you may find. I think Headboard did a cover of Everybody Wants Something....according to Natalie Earl, who recently interviewed Headboard.
Check out our Degrassi Legacy Site at http://www.degrassi-junior-high.org/INTERVIEWS
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Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 04:13:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Darlene Dazzle
Subject: If only real high school were like Degrassi
To: post@degrassi.org

The cool thing about Degrassi is that they did not have any cliques or popular groups. There were established character types (brains, punks,
bullies, etc.) but it was not like the vicious segregation in real high school. Everybody got invited to Lucy's parties. What was more
incredible was that they rode their bicycles to the party without getting laughed at. None of them wore name brand clothing, which is
almost mandatory in real high school. Nobody used swear words. Nobody carried guns or knives.

*Mark* This was one of the aspects of the series that was not realistic, in my opinion. In most or all high school, there are cliques, and many junior high/high school kids can be cruel. It seemed rather odd that everyone liked each other, and most of the Degrassi gang got along.
Please feel free to post comments about how realistic Degrassi was compared to your high school.
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From: "Vijay P. A. Rasaiah"
To: <post@degrassi.org>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 08:40:16 -0400
Subject: Degrassi Rules!

Degrassi Rules! My ultimate goal is to meet all of the Degrassi cast. I have only met a few so far. I met Tessa, Scooter and Lucy. Anyone else know or have met any Degrassi kids?

*Mark* One day I should really make a list of all the subscribers, and all the Degrassi cast they have met, and any comments about meeting them. I've heard both negative and positive responses. Check out past issues at http://www.degrassi.org/Degrassi-Digest/archive.htm
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Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 10:19:22 -0600
To: post@degrassi.org
From: "D. Gabaldon"
Subject: Looking for video

I am looking for any episode on Spike and her best friend.

*Mark* If Degrassi is not in your area, and if you have some cash, and want to purchase a Degrassi episode, contact some of the addresses on this page http://www.degrassi.org/pertinentaddresses.htm

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Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 00:14:35 -0700
From: Papool Chaudhari
To: post@degrassi.org
Subject: Shows on American TV

Hey everybody...I thought I'd take this opportunity to inform people out there about Ready or Not and Degrassi on American TV. Ready or Not-This show used to air on Showtime, along with Degrassi Jr. High, but both shows have been pulled...I think Showtime couldn't generate enough interest for it because it is a premium movie channel, most people do not have it, and the ones that do don't look to Showtime for that kind of programming...it is quite unfortunate though because those premium channels are the only place where the show can be seen without commerical interruption, that is, except PBS of course.

Degrassi- If anyone anywhere has a DSS dish (As I do) and has at least DirecTV's Total Choice package (Everyone has this), then you can see Degrassi Monday-Friday, on the TRIO (A Canadian network airing outside of Canada) network, at 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific...It is also aired on Satuday from 5-6pm Eastern/2-3pm Pacific, but those are a few episodes behind the daily showing. Just thought I'd inform all y'all American degrassi fans, even though we're a pretty small minority :-)
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From: Latina
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 01:19:53 EDT
To: post@degrassi.org
Subject: Ready or Not

Hi,

I just wanted to tell all you Degrassi Fans that Ready or Not was shown on the Disney Channel here in the United States.. Unfortunately, a few months ago, it went off the air. i do think I saw the last episode though... Can someone please tell me if the least episode of Ready or Not was when Amanda moved away from Busy? As an American, I too like Dawson's Creek. It deals about real issues and is sort of like Degrassi. If anyone wants to write to me about Degrassi or Ready or Not, feel free to e-mail me at etherealic@aol.com
Thanks

Latina
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End of The Purple and Blue Journal #30
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DEGRASSI WORLD #11: MELANIE & KATHLEEN AS CAMP COUNSELLORS
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Melanie and Kathleen needed summer jobs so they checked the job placement board for openings. Typically job opportunities for junior high students are
either low pay or unsavory, such as paper routes and mowing lawns. But today the girls were lucky, they spotted an interesting posting:

"Degrassi Elementary School seeks three camp counselors for their annual Summer Camp in North York. Each counselor will supervise a cabin with ten children. The position lasts two weeks and pays $100 per week. Candidates must be able to
teach a talent or skill". Melanie was hired to teach swimming. Kathleen was hired to teach arts and crafts. They did not know it at the time, but
Rick was selected to be the boys' counselor.

Melanie packed all the essentials of survival: a portable cassette player, Teen magazines, a candy stash, and a framed picture of Snake, the boy she
dreamed would be her steady boyfriend someday. The bus journey there was hell: thirty hyper kids jumping out of their seats and making funny faces at
the other cars.

Kathleen was used to camping from her days as a girl scout. But "roughing it" was new to Melanie. She was not prepared for the hard cabin bunks, cold
showers, and yucky camp food (runny scrambled eggs, burnt pancakes, beans and weenies). Each day was filled with activities such as sports, crafts,
and nature hikes. Every night there would be a fireside huddle with stories, songs, and games. For Talent Night Melanie, Kathleen, and Rick did
a parody skit of Beverly Hills 90210, spoofing Kelly, Donna, and Brandon.

Rick tripped over himself trying to impress Kathleen. Each day he made her a bouquet of hand-picked wild flowers. Kathleen felt smothered so she shoved
him away. Kathleen secretly like Rick but she was too stubborn and frightened to admit it. Melanie felt sorry for Rick so she and he came up
with a plan to get them together. Melanie and Rick would pretend to be in love just to make Kathleen jealous, they held hands and flirted in front of
her. However, the plan didn't work. Instead of "playing" Melanie and Rick fell in love for real! Kathleen just got pissed off at both of them for
abandoning her.

The bus ride home was a world of difference, the kids were too exhausted, sunburned, and mosquito bitten to act up. Once home, Melanie was grateful
to sleep in her soft bed, soak in a hot bath, and eat a home-cooked meal. She was a city girl at heart, all she could think about was the pretty clothes
she's be buying at Eaton Center tomorrow ($200 was the most money she had ever had in her life). She and Rick planned to take a streetcar to Eaton
Center, it was her first real date.

THE END
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To UNSUBSCRIBE to The Degrassi Digest, simply reply to this e-mail
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