How can we go about discussing these issues?
To properly discuss issues that matter, we must first create a welcoming environment. People will not open up about their true feelings if they feel uncomfortable or not welcomed. To create this environment in a classroom, you need to build relationships with your students. Learn about your students' cultures, hobbies, and families. Not only should you learn about your students' personalities, but let them see your personality as well. Let your students have a glimpse into your life and see that you are a human being just like they are. When your classroom feels like a community, students will have more confidence to speak up.
While it is important to be respectful, you do not need to prioritize comfort over diving deeper into the discussion of issues that matter. I have met many White Americans who are completely uncomfortable with talking about race and avoid it entirely. This does not help us progress. This does not help us become better people.
Simply opening up the space for discussing important issues is better than not doing so. You can ask your students how they feel about a current issue and allow them to discuss it with their peers. Some students may have polar opposite viewpoints, and that is okay. Listening to the opposite stance and internalizing it makes you a wiser and more understanding person.
Hello Cayenne, thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions about your Golden Lines with us. I agree with your thoughts on creating a welcoming environment. If students have a welcoming environment to share in, they may express themselves more. Students should know that their thoughts and beliefs are valued in your classroom. I also think you made a great point about creating relationships with your students. If we create these relationships with our students, they begin to feel that their thoughts and opinions matter. Students should know that you are interested in them and invested in how they feel. It is also important that you teach your class to respect one another’s values. Students should know that they do not have to agree with one another, but they must respect them. Everyone is different, this is what makes the classroom dynamic unique.
ReplyDeleteHi Cayenne, your opening statement really stuck out to me because sadly, it is very true and apparent in our society. We avoid talking about issues to make sure we are not making other people feel uncomfortable. Pushing boundaries like you said is a necessary component when wanting to solve an issue. If boundaries are not pushed and there is not a little bit of emotion spewing from someone, then issues are not being resolved. Instead of someone being uncomfortable about talking about an issue, there is someone or dozens of people feeling worse because that issue is not being taken care of. In order for change to occur or for there to be growth in a society there needs to be respect. While some people may not change their opinions, being able to be civil and show respect is a must for a growing society.
ReplyDeleteHi Ashlyn!
DeleteThank you for your comment. What you said about dozens of people being uncomfortable because a small few don't want to discuss what is happening really stood out to me. It is so true! If you feel uncomfortable just talking about something, imagine how those that are actually involved in the issue feel.
I really like your point about learning about your students. I agree that it’s really important to know your students personally, so that they feel more comfortable and like you really care about them. I also really love your point about letting your students know you as well. I feel like this is an opinion I don’t see very often but one I definitely agree with. I feel like there’s such an obvious difference in classrooms in which the teacher is open with their students and shows their students that they’re a real human being with human emotions. I also completely agree that being respectful does not equal being afraid to talk about certain topics. Being uncomfortable is okay and as a teacher you have the opportunity to instill that into your students, to help them be better communicators in the real world.
ReplyDeleteHi Cayenne, I really like the way you got to the point and supported your claims. I agree that often times I tend to avoid conversations about controversial topics. The reason why I do this is because I fear rejection. However, it is very important to create that welcoming environment in order for people to feel welcomed to speak about these issues. When people feel comfortable to speak about their beliefs, they tend to gain more confidence and they become more open to discussing uncomfortable topics.
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