we learn by instruction and questions and interaction. how is banning questions from any group conducive to learning? especially given that it is the demographic that many would argue needs to learn the most. and how is banning questions from that one entire demographic NOT racist? correct me if i’m wrong but isn’t this the definition of hate keeping? and how do we define that demographic, exactly? what about white Muslims? What about people from marginalized provinces of Eastern Europe? There’s a whole stew of “white“ people that suffered in the Bosnian War that were victims of racism and genocide that apparently wouldn’t have the right to speak… so how is this a learning experience? and how is this not racist?
The group of white people who would attend an event at a Scottish university is unlikely to have experienced this before, and just like you they will feel it is unfair to have special rules for them because of their skin colour.
One famous example of how to use this method educationally is Jane Elliott's Blue eyes, Brown eyes. Elliott split her students into two groups, based on eye color. She told them that people with brown eyes were superior to those with blue eyes, for reasons she made up. Brown-eyed people, she told the students, are smarter, more civilized and better than blue-eyed people.
https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/07/08/888846330/we-are-repeating-discrimination-experiment-every-day-educator-says
okay THAT is an interesting take, i hadn’t thought of it like that… the adjustment of perspective to encourage understanding between demographics would create meaningful dialogue and perhaps help bridge any gap between the groups. not bad!
I understand the point (in the context of the study referenced here) but as a teacher, I could never condone telling people to not ask questions. I spend so much time reassuring people (who have been trained to be judicious with their questions) that questions are good. Maybe relegate them to the nose-bleed section, but stop making people afraid to learn.
Moreover, in this context (assuming attendance is voluntary) many people who would greatly benefit may well be inclined to skip the event.
So, while I see the perspective of showing a group of people who enjoy privilege what it feels like to be on the other side, and that it may be important to filter questions that may be hurtful or denigrating (whether well-meaning or not), stifling the ability learn seems counterproductive.
But, maybe it’s not about teaching the privileged group. I also wonder, how are they deciding if you’re too white to ask a question?
@party05 Yes, that's a better way of putting it.
@roanoke I general i agree, people should be encouraged to ask questions. And ofc a lot of people who could really benefit from this kind of event won't go.
I've been to a few workshops, events, lectures etc, like these. I've been asked not to take up room and to listen rather than speak as the focus has been on women, POC, trans and other minorities and it is a very teachable moment. As a white, middle aged cis male is almost impossible for mer not to speak. I want to ask questions and I find myself expecting answers and accommodation. My favourite one was quite accidental;
I'm a supporting member of a chapter of my main organisation (RFSL) for the deaf and was invited to a conference on this. As everyone else in the conference knew sign language and could communicate unhindered I found myself having to book an interpreter. I was the only one chaperoned by two interpreters and I felt very outside and disabled in that context. ..
People were very nice and did their best to make me part of the group, and we joked a lot about turntables.
But it was important to me, as hearing, to see the other side of the fence. Just booking the interpreters to be able to take part in an event was a three day job. I had to learn so much and change lots of things just to be there on slightly less unequal terms. I've had similar experiences with other groups, being the only white guy in a room where everyone is politely including me in something I'm not naturally a part of.
I think everyone should try that at least once in their life.
Cuz white ppl can't ask questions, true facts. If you can't sit quietly and learn with just listening, then you (a) have done no prep work to understand anything, a you problem or (b) are having an crisis because you need your modicum of emotional work to be recognized. Seriously, as a white person, I know this is fake but the number of times I myself and others have pushed away really learning by filling the air with off-putting and stupid questions is unreal. If I can't learn from just listening, I need to do better.
One famous example of how to use this method educationally is Jane Elliott's Blue eyes, Brown eyes. Elliott split her students into two groups, based on eye color. She told them that people with brown eyes were superior to those with blue eyes, for reasons she made up. Brown-eyed people, she told the students, are smarter, more civilized and better than blue-eyed people.
https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/07/08/888846330/we-are-repeating-discrimination-experiment-every-day-educator-says
Moreover, in this context (assuming attendance is voluntary) many people who would greatly benefit may well be inclined to skip the event.
So, while I see the perspective of showing a group of people who enjoy privilege what it feels like to be on the other side, and that it may be important to filter questions that may be hurtful or denigrating (whether well-meaning or not), stifling the ability learn seems counterproductive.
But, maybe it’s not about teaching the privileged group. I also wonder, how are they deciding if you’re too white to ask a question?
@roanoke I general i agree, people should be encouraged to ask questions. And ofc a lot of people who could really benefit from this kind of event won't go.
I've been to a few workshops, events, lectures etc, like these. I've been asked not to take up room and to listen rather than speak as the focus has been on women, POC, trans and other minorities and it is a very teachable moment. As a white, middle aged cis male is almost impossible for mer not to speak. I want to ask questions and I find myself expecting answers and accommodation. My favourite one was quite accidental;
I'm a supporting member of a chapter of my main organisation (RFSL) for the deaf and was invited to a conference on this. As everyone else in the conference knew sign language and could communicate unhindered I found myself having to book an interpreter. I was the only one chaperoned by two interpreters and I felt very outside and disabled in that context. ..
But it was important to me, as hearing, to see the other side of the fence. Just booking the interpreters to be able to take part in an event was a three day job. I had to learn so much and change lots of things just to be there on slightly less unequal terms. I've had similar experiences with other groups, being the only white guy in a room where everyone is politely including me in something I'm not naturally a part of.
I think everyone should try that at least once in their life.