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[chelation]

I had a student today become offended after I showed a 5-min clip from a film that was a comedic farce. I was discussing the way in which class difference--*not* sexuality--is treated by a number of filmmakers. The film clip had a gay black male in it who was just released from prison. The word "***" was used in the clip and I also repeated it in discussion with explicit reference to the film's usage. The (white male, openly gay) student did not accuse me of anything directly, but he interrupted me before the end of class (as I was preparing to show another clip) stating that class was over (it wasn't), had an exasperated and clipped tone of voice, and breezed past me with an air of martyred outrage after I had explained how the portrayal of the character was actually not as homophobic as he thought.

I teach a class that deals with a lot of political issues, and not all of them are nice. This student is a very promising one. It is a very small class, and he has a significant voice, which I appreciate and I have told him so. I have written an explanation/apologia/whatever you want to call it on the class webpage explaining why I used the clip and its various interpretations. However, I feel annoyed that I have to do "damage control" after this because of one student's hypersensitivity. Is that just part of the job? Should I just avoid controversial material? I spent about an hour of my life on that post and I cannot get it back. Thanks for your thoughts.

[mended_drum]

I recently taught a class on pejorative language.  It included, among other topics, two days on the n-word.  I'm white; the class was 3/4 black.  At the beginning of the course, we created a set of rules for discussion that included not actually calling anyone in the room any of the pejorative words we were going to be examining and permission for students to get up and leave the classroom if the discussion became too intense or the texts, audio recordings or film clips were personally too offensive.  I carefully explained how we would tackle the subjects academically and why.

It was a fantastic course, and it received very high evaluations.  It might be helpful to recount what happened to you at the beginning of the course the next time you teach it and have the class help decide how to handle offensive language or images.  I know it sounds a bit babyish, but creating that safe space made all the difference in tackling difficult topics.

[locutus]

What did you expect? Isn't that material controversial for a reason?

My guess is that you should just give him a little time to cool off. If he's not directly accusing you of anything then just let him blow off a little steam and hopefully things will be ok.

Also I don't think you should call him hypersensitive or imply that it was 'wrong' for him to have a negative reaction. It's a very emotionally charged word for some people, I don't' think it's reasonable to expect him to have zero reaction to it just because he's in a persumably nice-liberal-academic environment.

[dr_dre]

What do you think upset the student? That you chose that clip? That you repeated the term? That you then argued that it was less offensive? All three?

If this had been the n-word, would you have acted the same way? Would you have expected the same reaction?

Just food for thought. I would show the clip. But I have taught 19th-c. history without saying the n-word myself. Others say it, but I am not comfortable doing so.

Which is not to say that the terms are precisely equivalent, of course, just offering a way to pose the question to yourself. It all depends on your individual teaching style and the way you relate to the particular students in the room. What works with one group may not fly with another, of course.

[larryc]

Nice tips from Grinnellns.

The hour of your life you spent on that post should be a learning experience for you. Young people are often overly sensitive and otherwise still learning how to behave in situations they find stressful or unfamiliar. Our job sometimes is to deal the best we can with our students as they are, not how we think they ought to be.

It may well be this student would have been offended no matter what and you are 100% in the right. But could you have a better job setting up the clip? "What I am about to show you may be offensive to some, it includes a character who uses an offensive racial slur against gays. I am showing it to you because I think it illustrates X and Y better than any other clip I could find. Let's take a look at it."

A simple explanation before introducing controversial material can head off a world of bad feelings sometimes. (Not always--and I have once or twice had a student walk out of class as well!)

[dinglejingleus]

Having just dealt with being called a homphobe on an eval, I think that someone getting offended at derogatory language being used in a class when it is not directed at them, clearly not supported by the lecturer, and in the context of an academic discussion is simply ignorant. It is not your job to cater to their ignorance. In my case all of the other students (36) understood exactly what I meant (including the 3 openly gay ones) and was doing when discussing the word "***got" with regard to a certain text. This particular woman's problem with me had to do with her own experiences, and little to do with me.

"***" and "n*****" are thrown around all the time in the media. I find it hard to believe that anyone could be legitimately offended at simply hearing the word in an academic setting. It sounds like you are bending over backward to make the classroom environment safe. The student needs to grow a thicker skin, and differentiate between pejorative and analytic usage of such terms.

That being said, though I am an ABD grad student, if my job were going to be affected I might be more proactively apologetic. In that case I would attempt to point out how ignoring such words doesn't make the attitudes behind them go away, and that our use of the word in class is an attempt to analyze it and rob it of its use and oppressive power.

[scheherazade]

Consider, however, that a college-aged gay person has likely recently struggled with his sexuality.  Consider also that it's still completely socially acceptable to bash homosexuals, while it's not so much like that anymore for racism and sexism.  I suspect that if a student, in a group of peers, said, "He's so gay," it wouldn't get a second look most of the time.  On the other hand, if a student said, "That n-!" people would be, at the very least, uncomfortable and silent.  While the student "expects" this kind of gay-bashing in the general public, the classroom is supposed to be a place where one can escape it.  The prof, especially, has a responsibility to monitor it.

Because of this, I think it's more difficult to approach issues of sexuality in the classroom than it is to discuss race or gender.  From reading your post (and I wasn't there, obviously), it sounds like you may not have prepared the students adequately for this discussion.  This is where grinnellns' advice comes in.  It's incredibly important for students to understand that a difficult topic not only can be discussed in class but that it can be discussed safely.  Your gay student (probably) wasn't being oversensitive; he felt unsafe.  My guess is your use of the word "f-" and your statement that the portrayal "wasn't as bad as it seemed" really put him over the edge.  I have no doubt that you meant no harm and are not personally prejudiced.  The problem is that the student was not reassured of that fact.

And dinglejinleus, I think your characterization of the student's "ignorance" exposes a bit of your own ignorance.  Just because a perjorative is thrown about in the media does not meant hat students should necessarily be OK with it, especially in a classroom.  I'd also point out that everyone's problems have much to do with their own experiences.  It doesn't mean the complaint isn't valid.  Now, it may be that you handled the situation perfectly and the student was a nutjob.  But there's also the possibility that your view of this kept you from treating the situation with sensitivity.  FWIW, I would be offended if either "f-" or "n-" were used in an academic setting without proper contextualization.  And I'm neither gay nor easily offended.  It may be a very small minority you're offending, but that doesn't make their feelings invalid.

[sciencephd]

I had a student today become offended after I showed a 5-min clip from a film that was a comedic farce. I was discussing the way in which class difference--*not* sexuality--is treated by a number of filmmakers. The film clip had a gay black male in it who was just released from prison. The word "***" was used in the clip and I also repeated it in discussion with explicit reference to the film's usage.

.... after I had explained how the portrayal of the character was actually not as homophobic as he thought.

From you post it sounds as though you mentioned the class difference while ignoring the gay/homophobic issue in the film clip ?

.... after I had explained how the portrayal of the character was actually not as homophobic as he thought.

I don't know, it sounds homophobic from your description, and the student thought it was homophobic.  What do you mean by this ?  It sounds patronizing at best.

Should I just avoid controversial material? I spent about an hour of my life on that post and I cannot get it back. Thanks for your thoughts.

If losing this hour is how you see it, you should avoid this type of material.

From dinglejingelus:

"***" and "n*****" are thrown around all the time in the media.

The above statement itself illustrates part of the problem.  You can write one offensive word and not the other. 

[daniel_von_flanagan]

"***" and "n*****" are thrown around all the time in the media.

The above statement itself illustrates part of the problem.  You can write one offensive word and not the other.

I expect (s)he wrote them both out completely.  The forum software censors one, not the other.

OP: have you been discussing edgy material throught the semester?  If so, then you should not have had to do extra contextualizing, though it would certainly have helped.  In the event, the right solution would have been to continue the class, then contact the student, ask him to see you, and offer him a chance to air his grievance in a manner more appropriate to an academic setting, a manner which might lead to useful further discussion. I'm not sure posting something on the web page was necessary or even a good idea.  - DvF

[red_queen]

"***" and "n*****" are thrown around all the time in the media.

The above statement itself illustrates part of the problem.  You can write one offensive word and not the other.

I expect (s)he wrote them both out completely.  The forum software censors one, not the other.

Yes, my good DvF. I believe this was the point Sciencephd was trying to make.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

"***" and "n*****" are thrown around all the time in the media.

The above statement itself illustrates part of the problem.  You can write one offensive word and not the other.

I expect (s)he wrote them both out completely.  The forum software censors one, not the other.

Yes, my good DvF. I believe this was the point Sciencephd was trying to make.

If so, the sentence is misleadingly written.  If it is not meant to single out dinglejingelus, it should be "one" instead of "you".  Moreover, one can certainly write both offensive words, the problem comes at the reading stage. - DvF

[sciencephd]

I expect (s)he wrote them both out completely.  The forum software censors one, not the other.

Actually I didn't know that.  Nevertheless, it underscores the problem.  Clearly one form of offensive speach is more accepted than another.

[dinglejingleus]

And dinglejinleus, I think your characterization of the student's "ignorance" exposes a bit of your own ignorance.  Just because a perjorative is thrown about in the media does not meant hat students should necessarily be OK with it, especially in a classroom.  I'd also point out that everyone's problems have much to do with their own experiences.  It doesn't mean the complaint isn't valid.  Now, it may be that you handled the situation perfectly and the student was a nutjob.  But there's also the possibility that your view of this kept you from treating the situation with sensitivity.  FWIW, I would be offended if either "f-" or "n-" were used in an academic setting without proper contextualization.  And I'm neither gay nor easily offended.  It may be a very small minority you're offending, but that doesn't make their feelings invalid.

Words mean in context. A word is not absolutely pejorative or not. Words can be used pejoratively, and can be pejorative in certain contexts (some like "***" and "n*****" are almost always so). Words are not absolutely offensive in all situations. An academic discussion analyzing such a word's usage is a perfect example of context negating pejorative usage. It seems to me that a reasonable person might feel discomfort at a word's use in such a context-since it is usually used pejoratively-, but taking offense is not a reasonable response in an academic setting.

We all have feelings and emotions. Sometimes they are based on rational beliefs and sometimes on irrational beliefs. As described, the student taking offense in this situation doesn't seem based on a rational belief. In my own personal experience, when I react severely as in this case, it is usually because of a combination of some prior experience that makes me sensitive to that issue and an irrational belief.  The student declaring "class is over" in this example is not appropriate and is an irrational response that indicates either a misunderstanding of what the OP was saying, or a mistaken belief on his part.

I feel that not being sensitive to the context and purpose to which a word is being used is ignorant. That means that this is a good opportunity to explain how words mean in a context to one's students.

As far as "n*****" and "***" being thrown around in the media (and yes I did type them both out), my point was not that this makes it okay for them to be used pejoratively, but that I find it hard to believe in this media-saturated age that a college aged student could be so shocked at hearing these words spoken by someone.

Being "offended" in situations such as this is, oftentimes, a way to assert control over others, and by apologizing one legitimates a person's offense rather than using it as an opportunity to explain context and usage.

Personally, I find using euphemisms like "the n word" reinforces the (incorrect) view that language means independently of context.

[scheherazade]

DJ, honestly, the commonality of words in the media does not desensitize those to whom the words are applied.  It just doesn't.  Perhaps you don't understand because you have not had those words applied to you.

And "being offended" is often just that - being offended.  It you want to go towards control, though, I would say that it's reasonable for a person who feels they have been treated poorly to try and regain some control over the situation.  That's not ignorant; it's what everyone does.  It's human nature.

While we should all be aware of context, the point is that it is not irrational for a student (or anyone) to assume that a prof may be homophobic or prejudiced.  Many people are - why would profs be different?  Our personal attitudes often ooze into our classes, despite our best efforts.  It is not unreasonable or ignorant for a student to be unsure of the attitude behind the use of the words or the attitudes expressed.

I'd also point out that homosexual students can react more forcefully to slurs against them and be more sensitive to the issue.  Part of this is, as I said before, because it is "acceptable."  The use of the slurs in the media that you like to bring up doesn't necessarily desensitize; it can push the person over the edge a bit more.  The cup of tolerance runneth over, so to speak.

Secondly, gay students have a unique situation in that the awareness of identity is still rather fresh.  A slur won't hit a person the same way if it cannot be applied honestly to them.  Therefore, if you call a non-gay person a "f-" they will not likely get upset.  It simply doesn't apply.  Also consider that the first several times a person hears an applicable slur or is exposed to prejudice, the person is likely to react more strongly and feel it more keenly - they have not yet learned to "deal with it."  Now, take an African-American.  He has been A-A all his life, as is his family and often his neighbors.  (Or so I assume, unless we're talking about C. Thomas Howell.)  That person has been aware of racism all his life.  By the time he gets to college, it's old news.  Additionally, he has easy access to a community that shares his culture, concerns, and identity.  Therefore, a black student will (likely) be more able to handle a class discussion with potentially perjorative terms.

A gay student, however, is another story.  He has just recently realized he is gay (within the last few years, and possibly less).  Therefore, the slurs are newly painful to him, as they now hold a personal meaning.  Also, many gay students feel isolated from a sympathetic community.  They do not have a built-in community in family as most minorities do, and society as a whole is antagonistic to them.  A student, therefore, may react more strongly to perceived slights and be more sensitive, perhaps overly so.  They may walk out of class announcing it is over.  They may cry.  They may become silent.  However, given our attitude towards gays in society and the way homosexuality is portrayed in our culture, I hardly blame them.

Short answer - it's silly to expect the student to "suck it up" when they are offended by offensive language.  Perjorative language is always offensive, whether the intent is behind it or not.  While it may be acceptable or even necessary to discuss it in class (and I don't think anyone is arguing that point), it requires greater sensitivity in its approach.  It does not matter whether it is irrational or rational.  And apologizing is absolutely what a person does when they may have offended someone unintentionally.  The student does not need his offense "legitimized" - it's already legitimate in his mind.  To me, your response seems like you have a strange need for control yourself.  Minimizing pain that you simply can't understand is not the correct approach.

[dinglejingleus]

Scherezade:

I think you have a well thought out opinion. I disagree though for the reasons I outlined above, and I was not persuaded by your opinion-so I won't repeat myself.

What it comes down to is whether one thinks its valid to sit in class assuming the worst of everyone or not. Just like I said on the cheating thread in the other section, I give people the benefit of the doubt until they demonstrate otherwise. I think that in an academic environment we have an obligation to attempt to understand someone before deciding they are in some way prejudiced or bigoted. This is based on a model of communication that seeks understanding of another. If as you say a student is "unsure" of a prof's comments, he has a responsibility to acknowledge that and withhold judgment rather than jumping to the conclusion that a prof would use a slur pejoratively in his classroom. I agree that not all college aged students are capable of this-that is why it is our job to teach them these skills.

I will respond to your analysis of the difficulties of a gay college student by simply replying that lots of us have difficulties in life. The classroom is not an appropriate place to air them. I am not my student's therapist, and I am not supposed to be. That doesn't mean that I don't agree that such a transition is difficult. Just that part of learning to be a college educated adult is to know when and where it is appropriate to react emotionally.

Personally, I see an apology as admitting that one did something wrong by bringing up the term. I would by all means speak kindly to the student and acknowledge their discomfort, but I would take it as a learning opportunity as I said above. Discussing pejorative language in an academic setting and using that language is not pejorative any more than analyzing some person's racist opinions is the same as agreeing with them or any number of a million other examples.

Just because we can sympathize with someone's position or politics doesn't mean we write them a free pass to behave rudely.

I would also note that encouraging an atmosphere of "easy offense" in the student body does them (and us) a great disservice. Students tend not to learn much when we don't challenge their opinions or beliefs for fear of offending them and having them make trouble for us with the administration.

The bottom line for me is that this student's thinking is unsophisticated. It is my job to teach him how to think sophisticatedly. If I allowed him to think that he was right to be offended, I wouldn't be doing my job.