I was talking to someone the other day about teaching. He talked about wanting to become an on-line teacher because you could get to the purity of their ideas without being distracted by particular students, "like blacks, for example."
I sat there not knowing what to say. I don't agree at all with the person's point of view, and if I get into an argument with them will I change his mind. I don't see that happening. So I didn't say anything and then left soon after that.
I don't know if the person knew I was uncomfortable, or just continued his life without a thought.
As I layer this experience into a larger idea about society, I don't know if I furthered the cause of racial harmony. I suspect that I did not. I just don't know that starting an argument would have been any better.
But I have to say, it haunts me.
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3 comments:
What in the world did he mean by that?? "Like blacks" eh??? I'm at a loss. I would be more inclined because I wouldn't know how old they were...sometimes I don't take people seriously because of how young they look. But not because of their ethnic or racial backgrounds. Wow. I'm stunned. I don't know what I would have said. But I agree with you...starting an argument would have just made things more uncomfortable and I doubt it would have had any affect on him whatsoever.
It is easy to look at a situation and say what should or shouldn't have been done or said. But silence is not the answer. When someone states something that stupid as fact and you are silent it is viewed as agreement. It would be better to say something and walk away, then to bother and argue. Someone that narrow in thinking is not going to change their point of view. However, truth needs to be spoken.
Good point
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