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eyetoeye
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« Reply #45 on: July 27, 2007, 05:32:57 PM » |
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There is a difference between unknowingly making racist, sexist, homophobic comments and knowingly making and/or not caring that such comments are offensive. The former I can get over, the latter I cannot.
The former is usually out of ignorance. I generally give people - particularly ones I don't know that well - the benefit of the doubt. Context is also important. Am I in the classroom; the grocery store overhearing a conversation; in a group at a party; a conference; or talking to a colleague and/or a friend?
In many of the circumstances listed above, I ignore comments. However, when I'm in the company of a person with whom I will interact on a regular basis, such as a student, colleague, friend or forumite, I think it is important to speak out (what Verbena said). I may ask for clarification (Verbena, you may recall my PM to you concerning the context of a word) or may simply express my discontent with the comment (I have addressed the same forumite several times concerning hu's comments).
I'm going to following up on Verbena's position. If I - and others in this case - inform the person, and hu continues to make such comments - even if moving from racist to sexist to homophobic and back again - I am left with the impression that hu is cowardly using humor, sarcasm, irony (whatever) as a way to make hu's views known.
Once I know the person is aware yet ok with continuing to make such overt comments (no, I wouldn't say it's always innuendo), I understand better how to (not) respond. I am also given a clearer picture of the person with whom I'm sharing real and virtual space.
All the "don't be so sensitive" or "just choose to ignore it" responses confirm (IMO) that the good ol' boy network is still alive and well. Unfortunately, this network thrives in part because of enabling by individuals in marginalized groups.
Yes, I believe in freedom of speech - without exception. I also believe in respect, courtesy and dignity. Therefore, if someone (or many) say something is offensive, I focus less on what was said, but how the person who said/wrote it responds.
Frankly, I appreciate when racist, bigoted, homophobic people rear their ugly heads. I like when they identify themselves (afterall, they usually aren't as smart as they think at camouflaging). Further discourse on the subject of race, gender, or sexuality with those types of people is futile. Rather, any discussion at all (politics, religion, economics, education <the thought!>) with a person who is too narrow-minded to respect the history, culture, language and simple being of others, is a waste of my time.
Outlier, thanks for starting this thread.
I kind of agree with this comment for the most part. I don't think being offended is usually a choice: as professors and teachers--especially in the current educational climate--we're responsible for handling a number of hot button issues. There's an educated consensus about a lot of issues--women are just as capable professionally as men; it's not okay for parents to abuse their kids; cheating is wrong; taking steroids is wrong. If someone makes a comment to the contrary of one of these views, it's my responsibility to confirm the consensus view by getting offended. If someone says to me, "There's nothing wrong with cheating on an exam. Everyone does it," I'm responsible as a teacher and an educated person for disagreeing. To the degree I pass the buck to the next guy, I'm part of the problem. |
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prytania3
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« Reply #46 on: July 27, 2007, 05:40:16 PM » |
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Clowns, I tell you. Clowns.
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verbena
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« Reply #47 on: July 27, 2007, 05:43:11 PM » |
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Wow. Good thing we're all anonymous here, huh? Though I can't imagine anyone around here getting too upset at being called a nerd. |
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"My kind of paper, into lots of fiber."
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noof_
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« Reply #48 on: July 27, 2007, 05:55:55 PM » |
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daniel_von_flanagan
<redacted>
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Posts: 9,460
Works all day. Posts all night. Needs sleep.
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« Reply #49 on: July 27, 2007, 06:00:08 PM » |
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I don't think being offended is usually a choice: as professors and teachers--especially in the current educational climate--we're responsible for handling a number of hot button issues. ((snip)) If someone makes a comment to the contrary of one of these views, it's my responsibility to confirm the consensus view by getting offended. Holy cow - you think that taking offense is your duty? Well, that certainly explains a lot. - DvF |
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The U.S. Education Department is establishing a new national research center to study colleges' ability to successfully educate the country's growing numbers of academically underprepared administrators.
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eyetoeye
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« Reply #50 on: July 27, 2007, 06:08:37 PM » |
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I don't think being offended is usually a choice: as professors and teachers--especially in the current educational climate--we're responsible for handling a number of hot button issues. ((snip)) If someone makes a comment to the contrary of one of these views, it's my responsibility to confirm the consensus view by getting offended. Holy cow - you think that taking offense is your duty? Well, that certainly explains a lot. - DvF And that you are tolerant of hate speech, threats, confessions also explains a lot. |
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sequoia_sun
code-bearing
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threadualiscious
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« Reply #51 on: July 27, 2007, 06:19:49 PM » |
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Careful pry: Anderson, who went by the screen name "Johnny Darkness," traded barbs with Tavares, aka "PyroDice." |
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Greetings, earthlings...
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daniel_von_flanagan
<redacted>
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Posts: 9,460
Works all day. Posts all night. Needs sleep.
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« Reply #52 on: July 27, 2007, 06:58:34 PM » |
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I don't think being offended is usually a choice: as professors and teachers--especially in the current educational climate--we're responsible for handling a number of hot button issues. ((snip)) If someone makes a comment to the contrary of one of these views, it's my responsibility to confirm the consensus view by getting offended. Holy cow - you think that taking offense is your duty? Well, that certainly explains a lot. - DvF And that you are tolerant of hate speech, threats, confessions also explains a lot. I think you meant that one for the "Irony" thread? - DvF |
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The U.S. Education Department is establishing a new national research center to study colleges' ability to successfully educate the country's growing numbers of academically underprepared administrators.
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red_queen
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« Reply #53 on: July 27, 2007, 07:06:29 PM » |
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And that you are tolerant of hate speech, threats, confessions also explains a lot.
Well I, for one, am tolerant of confessions. You may send them my way, one and all. |
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« Last Edit: July 27, 2007, 07:07:03 PM by red_queen »
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zarathustra
Because the Chron says I'm a
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Procrastifabulous by nature.
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« Reply #54 on: July 27, 2007, 07:55:46 PM » |
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Careful pry: Anderson, who went by the screen name "Johnny Darkness," traded barbs with Tavares, aka "PyroDice." And Tavares/PyroDice was a Fire Controlman 2nd Class Petty Officer. Now that's IRONIC! Bwhahhahahaha! |
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"...undigested hummus trading real estate for this fire dance.." ~C.S.
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noof_
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« Reply #55 on: July 27, 2007, 07:56:37 PM » |
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Careful pry: Anderson, who went by the screen name "Johnny Darkness," traded barbs with Tavares, aka "PyroDice." And Tavares/PyroDice was a Fire Controlman 2nd Class Petty Officer. Now that's IRONIC! Bwhahhahahaha! You're on a roll, Zara. |
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london1
Singin' Songs of the 70s in my Car, I'm Still a
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Posts: 6,353
There was voodoo in the vibes.
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« Reply #56 on: July 27, 2007, 08:54:58 PM » |
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Wouldn't you love to be ETE's neighbor? Don't ask to borrow a cup of sugar.
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"Years ago my mother used to say...in this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant...."
- Elwood P. Dowd
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london1
Singin' Songs of the 70s in my Car, I'm Still a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,353
There was voodoo in the vibes.
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« Reply #57 on: July 27, 2007, 08:57:08 PM » |
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Pry is always priceless! What a find. |
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"Years ago my mother used to say...in this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant...."
- Elwood P. Dowd
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voxprincipalis
Foxaliciously Cinnamon-Scented (and Most Poetic)
Member-Moderator
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Has potentially infinite removable wallets
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« Reply #58 on: July 28, 2007, 09:58:26 PM » |
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There is a difference between upholding standards and consequences of behavior and "taking offense." Words have meanings -- to "be offended" by something is not the same as to think that the other person is rude, or mean, or unfunny, or has broken a rule. If someone cheats on a test, I am not offended. That doesn't mean that that person shouldn't be punished, but it does not affect me personally.
VP
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If you need me, I'll be hiding under a rock until mid-August. Try not to need me, unless you come bearing Chinese food.
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tolerantly
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« Reply #59 on: July 28, 2007, 10:11:41 PM » |
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When someone cheats on a test, or pays someone else to take a test for him, or sells passing grades on a police-officer test, or runs a town by mob rule instead of something akin to rule of law, I'm offended. I'm offended because it affects me personally by the way it alters local standards -- the ones I live under -- to something I find repulsive. I lived in Providence for 18 months and was violently offended by it the entire time. I'm grateful to live in a place where serious corruption is rare enough that people are slow to suspect it might be going on. Also that when they do, shrugging isn't part of the reaction.
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