I often talk about the humorous shortcomings of my students. And why not? They're such an easy target and they say the darndest thing (although in a much more irritating and not in the cute funny way in which a 3 year old does). I don't usually give enough credit to the ones who inspire me and who want to learn...which is the reason I do my job. I would have to love it for how much time I spend commuting to and fro.
One of the classes I teach is Interpersonal communication where a chapter is devoted to the sense of self and the development of the self. Some people think that this sounds like cheese whiz and is an easy feat, but self-discovery is one of the hardest tasks known to persons. Why do you think our self-help aisle is filled to the brim? Or that there are professions geared completely toward helping people figure themselves out?
In an activity we did the other day, students had to identify their self-concept (who they think they are) along with identifying stereotypes that they believe or have experienced people placing on them. And what an intense and enlightening time for me as the teacher.
Some of these stereotypes were as follows:
From a Muslim student: Terrorist.
From a Hispanic student: Illegal Immigrant with a coinciding picture of handcuffs.
From a tattooed Caucasian student: Scary, intimidating.
From an African-American student: Only in college by way of Athletic scholarship.
From an overweight student: Pig.
How quick we are to judge another based solely on what it is they appear to be to us on this outside shell without so much as even opening their mouth. When they talked about these stereotypes placed upon them based on these characteristics (some innate), they identified feeling pain and being discriminated against. In diverse groups this was even more interesting as you could see color run away from people's faces as they may have (may still) hold that stereotype. But being faced with the testimony of a person on the other side of such a hurtful assumption is a tough liquid gel tab to swallow (I have trouble with these all the time. And they make me queasy). It was not an easy activity on either side by any means and I found myself almost getting choked up listening to their stories.
We are all but a collection of blood, bone, muscle, fat, skin, and all that other gross stuff that I turn away from on TLC. We are compiled of the same material. All human. How dare we let television shows and biased media shape our perspective on what all people of a certain group are without ever getting the chance to know them.
Tyler Perry-I have no Madea character in my family. And our family isn't as corny and unoriginal as 'House of Payne.' Watching that show is even worse than taking a gel tab.
Oh and that Muslim girl? 17 year old college freshman, not a terrorist.
The Hispanic guy? First generation college student.
The African-American guy? He got into college on his own merit and is trying out for the basketball team.
How have we misjudged you?
Oh, and just so you don't think I've lost my sense of good-natured humor, I "learned" a new vocabulary word today from one of my students: Symblify.
