Seems that’s the buzz here lately, so we’ll do more. Via NIT, comes this:

So I have no fear of indoctrination. I’m afraid of people who allow themselves to be indoctrinated. Grape Flavor-Aid, anyone?

Indeed. However, I think the best thing for students and your kids is for them to be made aware that disagreement (polite, of course) with their academics is acceptable, if presented well. I personally had two political confrontations with teachers. Once, I wrote a paper. I took the opposing view than the one taught in class. I was given a D. I’d never before (or since) received a D on anything. I thought it was a decent paper. I took it to the department head, who concurred. I received an A. Then a story that I’ve written about before wherein I told my professor that I would use real words and not made up hippie words like ne and give peace a chance. In a post on Speaking Ill of the Dead:

This professor was an ideologue. For example, he had the class watch a movie on abortion that was blatantly biased toward the pro-choice side. People left in the middle of it (it was particularly offensive to any pro-lifers who may have been there) and reported him to the department head.

He also told us that when we turned in a paper, we couldn’t use the words he or she. We had to use the non-sexist word ne. I forgot the rule for his and her. Obviously, ne wasn’t an English teacher. I had written a paper and turned it in and I, while referring to a specific person who was matter-of-factly female, used the word she and her quite often. Ne tried to ding me some points for doing so but I sought out the department head and created a stink about how teachers shouldn’t allow their preferences to affect proper English.

Now, ne wasn’t an asshole. He add (sic*) various little socio-political idiosyncrasies that were annoying. Ne was ideologically obtuse. Ne allowed his ideology to consume his professional life and ne wanted to exert his influence on his students and mandate they be exposed to his worldview and that they comply.

To his benefit, ne encouraged me to think by pissing me off.

Coincidentally, the department head agreed with me again. And, you see, there’s the rub. I had no issue with these guys making me think or challenging me. I took issue with the notion that I was being punished for not going along. That’s where it is dangerous. Address ideas, make your case, but be fair. That goes for the students too.

I am happy to report I was never asked to undergo counseling.

* See AC, I even sic myself.

Posted in Notes to Junior on June 5th, 2007 by SayUncle | RSS 2.0 |