Boo-ya-ha-ha!
A lot of my entries appear to be politically charged lately. I'll try to tone it down. This entry is my swan song (but of course, there will still be updates about Mr. Suck and his suckiness). Hey, Commie Boy gets called courageous by the teacher for saying "I hope Iraq wins" in his paper. I wonder what I'll get? Haha!
The topic for this paper: write anything you want about the war.
You got it! And here it is, folks. I got it to four pages, 12 point font, Times New Roman.
Lindsay Nouis
Foundation Writing Studio
Mr. Ziolkowski
25 March 2003
Where’s the Diversity?
It was my first day of college, at the beginning of my first class of college, when my professor said, “I hate Bush. I think he’s the most dangerous man around since Reagan.” My initial reaction was that of, “uh oh.”
I knew to expect it when I applied. I mean, it’s even in the title of the school: Pratt Institute, Liberal Arts College. But it still came as a huge shock when I, a tiny puddle of conservatism, found myself facing the Pacific Ocean of liberalism.
Despite the setback, I felt I could calmly present my case by introducing the facts. Little did I realize how easily facts and history can be completely disregarded and distorted when challenged by emotion. My goal to clearly explain my stance about the war, and other conservative beliefs, to the people of Pratt became futile when I was shouted down by entire classes. At this point, I’ve been driven to tears several times because I can’t even be heard before I’m disregarded.
The lack of balance and diversity is evident in the required reading. Whereas “Bush, the Dyslexicon” and “Macho Sluts” find their way into the syllabi, selections from Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly are unsurprisingly absent.
Discussions that initially have absolutely nothing to do with the war quickly become conservative/right-wing/Bush bashing sessions. Can someone tell me how Bonnie and Clyde going on their spree in the 1930s means that Bush is a horrible president and that we shouldn’t be going to war? These Bush bashing hours are not so much about the war as they are personal attacks against the President and conservatives who support him. In response to my Republicanism, one boy once told me, “I thought Republicans are white men who drive pick-up trucks, wear wife beater T-shirts, and carry guns.” While this amused me, many verbal attacks have turned vicious. When I’m not hearing people say that the United States deserved September 11th, I hear jokes being made about the assassination of Bush--in class!--while the teacher looks on and laughs.
For people who preach and promote tolerance, I’ve found many liberals to be completely intolerant of anyone with a different point of view. One of my teachers addresses the Right by saying its views “piss him off.” He seems to dread whenever I wish to say anything. After one of his twenty minute rants about how horrible the United States is and how the U.S. is essentially to blame for Saddam Hussein’s use of genocide, I raised my hand. I carefully phrased my question so as not to accuse him of anything: “Are you saying the United States is to blame for Saddam Hussein’s individual choice to use genocide?” He harshly looked at me and angrily stated, “I knew you were going to say that!” After that, I was only allowed about two sentences of rebuttal before he would talk over me. But he let other kids talk at me, while one kid told me, in reference to my views, “that’s a ridiculous statement.”
It’s gotten to the point where I don’t even feel like engaging in class discussion anymore. Is this what college is supposed to be about? Should students be allowed to shout down another student who disagrees? Where’s the diversity in opinion?
When one of my teachers, on a very rare occasion, asked to me to explain my views, in front of the class, I told her that I didn’t want people to yell at me. I wasn’t in the mood for it. Constantly being yelled at really takes a toll on one’s psyche. Upon receiving a note from my two closest friends in the class, I recognized that my voice was valued by at least two people. They told me how my voice may be the most important voice in the class because it represents the other side, the other point of view--the view that’s rarely heard at Pratt.
That note helped me to regain my sense of obligation to my fellow conservatives who are sorely misrepresented and viciously mocked at Pratt. The Right is completely vilified. I decided to challenge some of the off-base comments that a certain man was making to the class. He was much older than us, and I had never seen him before. While explaining my views as calmly as I could, he called me naïve in front of the whole class. He also said, “I’m older than you, so I remember better,” as if that settled the issue. Through other statements, his overall implication was that conservatives are uninformed.
Not only are my political beliefs and ideas attacked and dismissed, but so is my intelligence. I, much like most people in my situation would, immediately become defensive when I’m personally attacked. The goal of many professors is not to encourage discussion and debate. Their goal is to indoctrinate their liberal bias in students. College has made me very bitter. Many conservative students, myself included, become too timid to present their thoughts. Or they reach the feeling of futility. Or they fear a contradictory statement will affect their grade. Is college supposed to shut someone down like that? Where is the support of the flow of ideas?
I’ve often told my family and friends that I feel like I’m being driven crazy. First of all, I’m still incredulous about the extremism of the liberal viewpoint. Second, the lack of balance in opinion, and then the intolerance of anyone who presents a different opinion, is enough to lead anyone to her pillow where she can bury her head and scream as loudly as possible. I now document anti-Bush/conservative discussions, statements, and rants made by teachers, and then I document teachers’ attempts to be fair. Currently, there are 22 anti-Bush statements/discussions compared to the five attempts to be fair.
Because anti-American sentiments run so rampant around here, someone has to defend this country. Someone has to notice the blatant hypocrisy in pro-Communist statements being spoken while that person sips his capitalistic Poland Springs water or his Starbucks. Someone has to say it: America is a great country. I’m not going to let people convince me, or yell at me, otherwise.
My roommate, Shae, is a registered member of the Green Party. We’re on opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet we talk about many things. We agree to disagree. She listens to me and I listen to her. It works out fine in our situation and I wonder why this attitude can’t be applied to the classroom. I’m not asking people to agree with me. I’m asking people to listen to me.
The topic for this paper: write anything you want about the war.
You got it! And here it is, folks. I got it to four pages, 12 point font, Times New Roman.
Lindsay Nouis
Foundation Writing Studio
Mr. Ziolkowski
25 March 2003
Where’s the Diversity?
It was my first day of college, at the beginning of my first class of college, when my professor said, “I hate Bush. I think he’s the most dangerous man around since Reagan.” My initial reaction was that of, “uh oh.”
I knew to expect it when I applied. I mean, it’s even in the title of the school: Pratt Institute, Liberal Arts College. But it still came as a huge shock when I, a tiny puddle of conservatism, found myself facing the Pacific Ocean of liberalism.
Despite the setback, I felt I could calmly present my case by introducing the facts. Little did I realize how easily facts and history can be completely disregarded and distorted when challenged by emotion. My goal to clearly explain my stance about the war, and other conservative beliefs, to the people of Pratt became futile when I was shouted down by entire classes. At this point, I’ve been driven to tears several times because I can’t even be heard before I’m disregarded.
The lack of balance and diversity is evident in the required reading. Whereas “Bush, the Dyslexicon” and “Macho Sluts” find their way into the syllabi, selections from Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly are unsurprisingly absent.
Discussions that initially have absolutely nothing to do with the war quickly become conservative/right-wing/Bush bashing sessions. Can someone tell me how Bonnie and Clyde going on their spree in the 1930s means that Bush is a horrible president and that we shouldn’t be going to war? These Bush bashing hours are not so much about the war as they are personal attacks against the President and conservatives who support him. In response to my Republicanism, one boy once told me, “I thought Republicans are white men who drive pick-up trucks, wear wife beater T-shirts, and carry guns.” While this amused me, many verbal attacks have turned vicious. When I’m not hearing people say that the United States deserved September 11th, I hear jokes being made about the assassination of Bush--in class!--while the teacher looks on and laughs.
For people who preach and promote tolerance, I’ve found many liberals to be completely intolerant of anyone with a different point of view. One of my teachers addresses the Right by saying its views “piss him off.” He seems to dread whenever I wish to say anything. After one of his twenty minute rants about how horrible the United States is and how the U.S. is essentially to blame for Saddam Hussein’s use of genocide, I raised my hand. I carefully phrased my question so as not to accuse him of anything: “Are you saying the United States is to blame for Saddam Hussein’s individual choice to use genocide?” He harshly looked at me and angrily stated, “I knew you were going to say that!” After that, I was only allowed about two sentences of rebuttal before he would talk over me. But he let other kids talk at me, while one kid told me, in reference to my views, “that’s a ridiculous statement.”
It’s gotten to the point where I don’t even feel like engaging in class discussion anymore. Is this what college is supposed to be about? Should students be allowed to shout down another student who disagrees? Where’s the diversity in opinion?
When one of my teachers, on a very rare occasion, asked to me to explain my views, in front of the class, I told her that I didn’t want people to yell at me. I wasn’t in the mood for it. Constantly being yelled at really takes a toll on one’s psyche. Upon receiving a note from my two closest friends in the class, I recognized that my voice was valued by at least two people. They told me how my voice may be the most important voice in the class because it represents the other side, the other point of view--the view that’s rarely heard at Pratt.
That note helped me to regain my sense of obligation to my fellow conservatives who are sorely misrepresented and viciously mocked at Pratt. The Right is completely vilified. I decided to challenge some of the off-base comments that a certain man was making to the class. He was much older than us, and I had never seen him before. While explaining my views as calmly as I could, he called me naïve in front of the whole class. He also said, “I’m older than you, so I remember better,” as if that settled the issue. Through other statements, his overall implication was that conservatives are uninformed.
Not only are my political beliefs and ideas attacked and dismissed, but so is my intelligence. I, much like most people in my situation would, immediately become defensive when I’m personally attacked. The goal of many professors is not to encourage discussion and debate. Their goal is to indoctrinate their liberal bias in students. College has made me very bitter. Many conservative students, myself included, become too timid to present their thoughts. Or they reach the feeling of futility. Or they fear a contradictory statement will affect their grade. Is college supposed to shut someone down like that? Where is the support of the flow of ideas?
I’ve often told my family and friends that I feel like I’m being driven crazy. First of all, I’m still incredulous about the extremism of the liberal viewpoint. Second, the lack of balance in opinion, and then the intolerance of anyone who presents a different opinion, is enough to lead anyone to her pillow where she can bury her head and scream as loudly as possible. I now document anti-Bush/conservative discussions, statements, and rants made by teachers, and then I document teachers’ attempts to be fair. Currently, there are 22 anti-Bush statements/discussions compared to the five attempts to be fair.
Because anti-American sentiments run so rampant around here, someone has to defend this country. Someone has to notice the blatant hypocrisy in pro-Communist statements being spoken while that person sips his capitalistic Poland Springs water or his Starbucks. Someone has to say it: America is a great country. I’m not going to let people convince me, or yell at me, otherwise.
My roommate, Shae, is a registered member of the Green Party. We’re on opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet we talk about many things. We agree to disagree. She listens to me and I listen to her. It works out fine in our situation and I wonder why this attitude can’t be applied to the classroom. I’m not asking people to agree with me. I’m asking people to listen to me.