Honestly, where do you draw the line between education and oppression? How does anyone know when it is time to get that hand up in the air?
Tonight my Abnormal Psychology teacher, who by the way, is a Master's student at UCLA writing a dissertation on how testosterone injections in transgender women affect their physical capacity to cry, decided that (after two consecutive weeks of not showing up) it was time to introduce Sadomasochism. Why? So that she could bring in the experts on Sadomasochism for the next class to educate and "enlighten" all of her students on "safer practices" for those who currently indulge in such practices, or would like to in the future. And I quote: "We really don't want anyone who enjoys this type of thing to get involved with psychos on the Internet- that's really what this club x is for."
--I swear, if I had been drinking something when she said that, it just might have spewed all over my desk and been projected onto the person in front of me.
All I could say to diffuse the the tension of how wrong that felt was: "Excuse me, uhm, what's that?" (insert innocent tone, for effect)
Fortunately, I did not pretend my beliefs away and drift into the silent oblivion of the classroom environment. Once I decided to put an end to the shenanigans of a one-sided incredibly obtuse lecture BY raising my hand in school, and by allowing my jaw to appropriately drop, I felt a palpable change in the atmosphere of the classroom: a 'sigh of relief' for some, and a 'stand your post' for others.
Earlier in the evening I had an opportunity to raise my hand regarding something else I felt sincere convictions regarding, that was, at the moment, getting verbally violated in the worst way. I mean, the worst. I remember thinking: "Okay self, don't say anything...this is what always gets you in trouble." But of course I raised my hand a second later, and to my teacher's credit, she did allow me to make my point, mostly without interruptions. It was obvious though, that she did not expect me to win classroom approval/support on the point of discussion regarding homosexuality and agency, as she quickly pointed to the lesbian (a teacher's pet) in the front row to rebut my point, or as she put it, "tear me apart." But, then a miracle happened: The room blossomed from soap-box lecture to vibrant discussion! Hands shot up all over the place, and the next 4 people who shared their point of view actually raised their hand to point out that I was correct, AND THAT THE TEACHER AND HER PET MISUNDERSTOOD THE POINT due to bias. Thank you very much!! In the end, we all came to agreement to be more understanding and patient with the opposing view, and more importantly, everyone was heard.
Sometimes I really wonder why I have to keep going back to school, or why it will take me so long to get (academically) where I want to be in the future, and particularly why I am stuck at a Junior College. But on days like these, it is perhaps the place where I shine like a sunbeam for Heavenly Father. After all, I was the first to point out what at least 5 other God-fearing people were thinking, but for some reason, not saying out loud.
So what's the moral of the story? If you genuinely disagree with something that is going on wherever you are, just raise your hand and make your point. People need it. Really, everyone does.
