"Being an adult is about recognizing that the right to say something doesn’t make it okay to say. It’s about recognizing that you are not the only person with feelings and opinions. It’s about understanding power differentials and the difference between criticism and bullying, and learning to examine and be accountable for your own actions and their consequences. It’s about caring more about not harming other people than about whether their subsequent upset inconveniences you. It’s about being decent as well as being right."
(via fieryheartsnevercease) reblogged via speakofmeinpresenttense
Ahh, miss speakofmeinpresenttense, after reading your critique of my ENG WRIT 112 blog, I could not refrain from providing my own commentary of your Tumblr. I understand you already received one rejoinder from a peer of mine, but everyone loves a good virtual fight, don't they?
To start, I was hoping to respond similarly to your low blow on our class, but as I scrolled your archive, I found the majority of pieces to be fairly insightful and interesting. However, some of your posts, mainly the ones written by you, were not only completely insipid, but absolutely pointless. I mean, you think I certainly want to read about your inability to pack for thanksgiving break, wet to dry straightener and strange obsession with your "favorite child?" Come on, lady, your a teacher- you post one blog about equality and another about favoritism. The blog i have reposted above is about recognizing the feelings of others and respecting them; my favorite line is "its about caring more about not harming other people than about whether their subsequent upset inconveniences you." Yet, here you are publicly insulting not only myself and my classmates, but also a fellow of peer of your own- another teacher- for his decision to think outside of the traditional classroom and try something refreshing, simply because our hashtags are taking place of DuBois and UMass teeshirts. I must say, it is actually upsetting for an outsider to read this.
I am an 18 year old freshman majoring in English at the University of Massachusetts and excuse me, Ms. Wade, but you are the least charming role model any student like me could come across. Not only are you attacking a blog that circulates moving and controversial topics, you are insulting creativity, expression and difference. Your blog includes a variety of medias discussing racism- well, imagine your idea of teaching style as white and my owns as black. I mean, metaphorically and stereotypically, your idea is the traditional, more accepted and the "english" way of doing things- my teacher's assignment is minority, expressive and in your opinion, depicted as ignorant. It's actually funny how contentious your blog and your post is.
I will leave off responding more provocative than vicious or annoyed. For your next critique, whether it be to my post, our class post, or another blog: please, do not be so hypocritical and impulsive… I mean, if your going to try and shit on me, make sure own background is clean. Secondly, in relation to my request about your response post: please, at least be imaginative and use some advanced language. Your comeback about my peer's use of the word "poo-head" might have been funny if you didn't say "crappy blogs" (no pun intended). Thirdly, your own lack of unconventional adjectives and poor development is what is even more embarrassing and shameless for the UMass English Department. I mean, you are an alumni, you have graduated, you are beginning a career and you want to tell me that I am not fulfilling the department's standards. You, my duplicitous, opinionated friend, are failing them.
Please, adult, alumni, nostalgic reader; remember your own pride next time you try and respond so negatively to a bunch of young students. I know mine would be hurt if I abandoned my own morals and contradicted my own beliefs. and i know it would be miffed if I was suddenly called out for my shitty evaluation and juvenile behavior. Please, adult, alumni, nostalgic reader; grow up before you are begin teaching my fellow youths, for I fear you will spoil them with your selfishness, ignorance and bias beliefs.
And by the way, our teacher is doing us a favor by giving us short, quick assignments about this planet. Not only am I learning about these social issues, I'm considering my own, often careless actions. Also, do you remember the upcoming weeks before finals? Maybe you will have nostalgia of a stressed out, overloaded freshman, trying to cram before their first semester ends- if so, I hope you'd appreciate his thoughtfulness.
