I’ve always been advised to avoid the topics of politics and religion during dinnertime conversation. Now, after having witnessed my father, a Vietnam War veteran, and my grandmother, a devoutly conservative Catholic, “discuss” Iraq’s current state of affairs and Bush’s competency, I can completely attest to this warning. For these are debates that revolve around not one, but both of the prohibited subjects being discussed by two of the most intelligent, yet strong-willed people I have ever met. Anger builds and voices rise, as I look to my mom to see if it’s time to go home yet.
Unfortunately, these subjects have been sparking even more confrontational and threatening situations than the ones taking place at my family gatherings. According to a recent New York Times article, a 16-year-old boy taped his history teacher proclaiming that the students belong in hell if they do not believe that Jesus died for their sins. Other statements made by this teacher included, “there were dinosaurs aboard Noah’s ark,” and “there is no scientific basis for evolution or the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe.”
As a result of the teacher’s outburst, the student sought out support from both his parents and the A.C.L.U. However, this student’s academic community has only made him feel increasingly unsafe since the event. “He has been the target of harassment and a death threat from fellow students and “retaliation” by school officials who have treated him, not the teacher, as the problem,” writes New York Times’ Patrick McGeehan.
It’s hard enough to believe that a teacher, whose job description entails educating young minds in an ethical manner, has the ability to make such outrageous statements. However, it’s truly inconceivable to me that this teacher’s reputation is being defended by students and faculty alike. Since when did outward hostility become commendable? What this teacher did was blatantly and indisputably wrong.
Sadly enough, similar situations happen all the time. Once, my younger sister and her class were instructed to go through all of their history books and change B.C. to B.C.E. The teacher felt the need to make a statement in accordance with his own religious beliefs, or lack thereof, without even considering how his attitude would affect the students.
Then there was also the time when a teacher declared that all republicans were useless and should be left for dead. One student, who is still an unwavering republican, was obviously shocked and angered by the teacher’s words and still talks about the incident to this day.
It’s pathetic to see how much anger has built up within these people over the years regarding such topics. It’s even worse knowing that their only means of venting is by imposing their highly extremist beliefs on impressionable minds.
Furthermore, teachers who habitually make sweeping statements are essentially saying that it’s okay to make others feel inferior and even endangered. They are both advocating an environment of narrow-mindedness and hatred, as well as stifling students from voicing their own opinions.
I can remember how hard it was to deal with these situations. When I was younger, I would listen to teachers bash the Catholic Church for any reason they could get their hands on. Since I was brought up in a respectful household where I learned the importance of politeness, I would quietly yet confusedly sit at my desk, wondering whether I should believe what I was hearing.
However, I now take inappropriate statements with a grain on salt. If a teacher says something that challenges one of my beliefs or opinions in an offensive way, I don’t allow it to affect me. By remaining outwardly neutral, you are politely showing the antagonizer that their words have no impact on you or your life. Your ideas are untouchable, even when an overzealous teacher is determined to alter student opinions rather than simply accept them for what they are.
Leave a Reply