...Is there a difference? Well, yes, there is. But I'm not certain I'd run this opinion piece by my students, no matter what the tetrad. On the other hand, perhaps it might be advisable to occasionally remind students that there are indeed a few supporters of the Dred Scott decision here and there -- even in good, old, enlightened 21st Century America. (Or am I going too far?)
The piece begins provocatively enough:
- I'M WHITE, and I'm not voting for Barack Obama...
- ...Obama is in so many ways the Great Black Hope...
2 comments:
Personally, I would definitely not bring an article like this into the class because it seems like this type of opinion piece could get people fired up in a bad way. Of course, there are some issues that get people fired up that are good. For example, in Freshman Seminar last year, I had a discussion about banned books during banned books week, and some students were upset that their favorite childhood book was being challenged. But....since we're nearing election day, and politics is a personal choice....this piece could really offend people, or a discussion which might lead to slamming of the opinions in the piece could offend others. I just try to veer away from political opinion pieces in my classes, mostly out of fear of offending one of my students or making them feel uncomfortable.
I just try to veer away from political opinion pieces in my classes, mostly out of fear of offending one of my students or making them feel uncomfortable.
I see where you're coming from, but I'm not sure I agree. Education connotes learning, discovery, joy, enlightenment, maturation -- and sometimes discomfort. These are all components in an atmosphere designed by us (as teachers) where learning is enabled. As far as discomfort is concerned, I don't think any of us consciously or deliberately go about instilling an unnecessarily tense environment in our classrooms. However, at the same time, let us acknowledge that virtually anything we or a student may say or do in class is bound to make another student (or teacher?) uncomfortable. It goes with the territory, and there's no avoiding it, no matter how cautious we are.
I have always endeavored to side with those who "provoke" a reaction among their students. And I don't use that word "provoke" in a mean or a negative sense. To be provocative in this context is defined as challenging our own ideas as well as those of others is part of the learning process. And I don't believe that that reality can be avoided, no matter how squeamish we may feel about instilling inevitable discomfort.
Also, in an attempt to reach a middle ground here, let me issue myself this caveat. If one does endeavor to "provoke," there had better be a pedagogical justification behind it. I have no sympathy for those who are provovcative merely for its own sake. And in that sense, I can agree with you partly.
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