More student concerns
A friend asked this recently, and I thought I’d put it out the blogosphere as to what you all would do.
A female minority student told me that she was intimidated in my
class because of (a) all the white males in it, (b) all the white
students in general in the class, and (c) the lack of respect the
former groups, particularly the white males, are expressing in their
comments and behavior toward others in the class and that she wanted me
to do something about it. What exactly I am not sure — maybe express
that we need to elevate the level of respect toward each other and try
to keep the side jokes to a minimum. I’m not really sure what to do
with this one because I want to take her seriously and respond in a way
that communicates I heard her concern, but I’m not sure what to do.
Any ideas?
Ecto blogging software
6 March 2004 at 8:59 pm.
As a white man, I can tell you that we can often be very obnoxious, particularly towards women. We were raised to be snobbish savages, and we take any opportunity we can get to illustrate this. I suggest that your friend explain this and send her my deepest apologies.
7 March 2004 at 4:16 pm.
The professor sets the level of decorum in her/his classroom. A few “That’s not very funny” responses, given in a straightforward, nonagressive, but sincere way, will go a long way toward how people act. If they have so much time to be snide and disrespectful, are they being challenged enough so that they have to pay attention to what they’re supposed to?
3 October 2005 at 2:22 pm.
As a female minority student, who attends a majority white college, I would get the HELL out of that class.
Truthfully, I would focus more attention on my instructor and not pay disrespectful, cowards any attention because positiveness will prevail over negativeness. As the saying may state, somethings are not to be heard and the same goes for seeing. We should hope that this type of behavior does not continue to impact this young women because she does not deserve to be treated in such manner. Lastly, my advice is to never give in to stupidity and focus your energy on more important task. Cowards will always represent stupidity.