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Post by Travina Varghese on Sept 10, 2015 16:54:43 GMT -4
This is a well-written article on a topic that warrants much discussion. I concur that instead of avoiding a stimulus that might potentially create anxiety, one must equip themselves and those around them with the ability to face such stimuli in an objective and creative way. While the article focuses on the happenings in college campuses that will likely generate an overly-sensitive student body, and wonders at the possible repercussions that might arise once these students step-into the workforce, I believe we’re already at the stage where we’ve begun to see the consequences. Please allow me to explain: America has been a melting pot of a multitude of cultures for generations, and the diversity continues to grow. The numbers of interracial, inter-religious and intercultural relationships have been steadily rising with the resulting generation not belonging to one specific culture/race/religion or another, but being an amalgam. In such a world, people are walking on eggshells for fear of offending one or another with their words / deeds. Even businesses are in fear of disenfranchising one group when interacting with another. The latest event in the news regarding a county clerk who refused to issue marriage certificates to gay couples because of her personal and religious beliefs is proof enough. The event polarized the nation into two groups. As we grow more diverse, we have to learn how to communicate and be related to each other in a way that’s unprecedented in history. The outcome of that process will dictate how successful we will become as a nation, but also as a world.
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Alicia Capilla Crespillo
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Post by Alicia Capilla Crespillo on Sept 10, 2015 17:30:02 GMT -4
I am still amazed about the article as I had no idea that “something strange was happening at America’s colleges” and thanks to the article I am aware of the current concerns among students and professors. It is intriguing to know about the movement created “to scrub campuses clean of words, ideas, and subjects that might cause discomfort or give offense.” Really? The first thought that comes to my mind is: overprotection? Oversensitivity? – Then, I discovered the concept of microaggression and, as the article said at some point, I also think that some actions border on the surreal. It’s a matter of fact that insensitive and rude people exist, and not only in campuses but also in real life. So, what is the point of making an ideal environment at college if the future is going to be difficult and hard? From my point of view, it would be more beneficial and useful to help people manage their personal insecurities and to feel self-confident. This strategy would help them face uncomfortable and tough situations in life. On the other hand, it seems that the measures that campuses implement go against our personal freedom. I strongly believe that our freedom finishes when we overstep other people’s freedom. But if we have our own way of communicating and is polite and respectful but discomforts other, whose problem is it? It seems that sometimes, in order to not hurt people we are losing our personal freedom of thinking and communicating.
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Post by Ramez Ghanbari on Sept 10, 2015 18:02:00 GMT -4
It was an interesting article about “microaggressions” in today’s colleges and universities. These are basically word choices that although seem innocent, may come across as rude and offensive. It is absolutely understandable that we, as citizens, should be sensitive towards other peoples’ feelings and emotions. But, at the same time we need to recognize and practice, free discussions and expression of ideas. I think, nowadays, we are too obsessed with being “politically correct” that we, often, forget the reality and facts that we face in our society. It is by active and open discussions that we can solve sensitive subjects such as rape, violence and dark issues of our daily lives. This is, specially, important on our university campuses where we teach and educate our next generations. It’s essential to cultivate an environment that our students can express their constructive opinions and learn how to think, not what to think.
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Post by Daman Pannu on Sept 10, 2015 18:13:32 GMT -4
A few points I want talk about:
American students are hurting their own development by avoiding ideas they don’t like, its preventing them and their peers from developing a thick skin. One that you cannot thrive without in the real world. In the same way trees need wind to develop strong trunks, students need the adversary of ideas that make them uncomfortable to develop strong coping mechanisms.
Believing that you know best for everyone, is a part of everyone journey into adulthood, but having college administrator’s bow down and to student’s whims, and firing professors because of teaching material that they perceive as offensive is just further reinforcing their bad behavior.
Having professors provide trigger warning on upcoming material is completely absurd. We’ve had proof since the 50s that exposing people to triggers that cause panic attacks or flashback are helpful in overcoming their fear of that situations. This was backed up in subsequent years with hundreds of research studies to be a cold hard fact. Yet colleges are ignoring fact and like students are utilizing emotional reasoning, or maybe for organizations it should be called brand image protection.
The article mentions one possible solution “to teach incoming students how to practice cognitive behavioral therapy”. It could be incorporated into classes many student are already required to take teaching them life skills, such as study skills and time management. It would allow students in developing a thicker skin, to allow them develop their own opinion and ideas, not to fold the pressures of the heard, and to be able to discuss their differing views without resorting to vindictive protectiveness.
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Post by Samir Nirola on Sept 10, 2015 18:18:22 GMT -4
Great article. However, it is very sad to hear how things are changing in education dynamics. Sensitive topics that offend others need to be emphasized in a way where it may not traumatize others. Changing the whole system and never being exposed to the situation is not going to solve the problem. In reality, life is full of problems and dealing with it earlier can make everyone stronger. Education curriculum needs to expose the good things and the bad things in a way where it is not offensive to other race, age or sex. This way it keeps the dynamic and psychosocial aspect of life intact without fear of arising problems. There are challenges to this issue but how we deal with humanity over all can make the people of this nation even stronger.
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Post by Princess Aleke on Sept 10, 2015 20:03:16 GMT -4
Yes what is going on is surprising but at the same time, people have the right to voice out their opinion if they are not comfortable with words. This topic is awesome and can be seen from different perspectives but am going to limit mine in one by concurring to the fact that micro aggression policies is good to an extent. The we are generation now is more reality based, family and schools are now beginning to expose people to life at an early age, by teaching them how to protect themselves and stay away from trouble by showing them the consequences of their actions, with the high rate of abuse, crime and corruption that is going on in the country. Now people can be bullied with words as compared to the 80’s or 90’s. it’s not a bad thing to get sensitive at times. Yes I agree that it is a micro aggression to ask an Asian or Latino or African American Where they are born? Which indicate that he or she is not a real American, because they are irrespective of their colors. Students or people who have been previously victimized by racism or domestic violence should avoid those works, to prevent the trigger of recurrence of past trauma which I believe is ethical, But vindictive protectiveness teaches students to be more continuous and exposed to life, this is psychological because people have to do things that they can handle and comfortable with, without hurting others in the process. In conclusion I think micro aggression and a campus culture devoted to policing speech is a good idea but it should be limited to relevant things that would have an impact in large group of people but not some individuals.
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Post by Nora Magrabi on Sept 10, 2015 21:42:26 GMT -4
When young adults are shielded from words and ideas that make them uncomfortable, it only makes them fragile and therefore more prone to emotional distress. It's no wonder rates of mental illness in young adults have been rising. This way of thinking poorly prepares students for professional life. Campus life today doesn't foster critical thinking. Instead, schools are training students in thinking styles that will damage their careers and friendships, along with their mental health. Critical thinking requires students to question their own beliefs, even if it might lead to discomfort on the way to understanding. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good non-pharmaceutical treatment for mental illness, which teaches critical thinking skills to minimize distorted thinking. Rather than trying to protect students from words and ideas that they will inevitably encounter, colleges should do all they can to equip students to succeed in a world full of words and ideas that they can’t control. Universities need to balance freedom of speech with the need to make all students feel welcome. While teaching students to avoid unintentionally offending others is important, students need to be taught how to live in a world full of potential offences. To punish anyone who even accidentally offends someone is extreme.
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