So, today I turned in my first actual assignment of the semester. It was an easy one, for which I was thankful. But the assignment I have due on Tuesday is not as easy as I might hope. I'm having a bit of difficulty doing my research, since the Car of Hell died again yesterday and I can't get to the public library. The Internet is great and everything, but you can't trust the research you can do there. It's scary people.
This assignment is for my Liberation Theology class, which I am loving. In order to enjoy this class, you have to be a socialist. Just kidding. Kind of. But you definitely have to be a liberal. Of a radical sort.
So there's this guy who is taking the class with me who describes himself as a "capitalist, conservative guy" who asked how outsourcing jobs to Two-Thirds World sweatshops is bad for those people. "They didn't have a job and now they do." AAAAAH. My head hurts.
I should have known he didn't belong in class on the first day. When he asked me what Liberation Theology was and I defined it for him, he asked, "Do I have to agree with this?" No, I thought, but get used to the fact that you are the oppressor.
He really sealed the deal when we discussed the inclusive language policy of the school. See, my school thinks that you should not say "he" when you mean "one" or "he or she" because it is mean and might make Bethiclaus feel like she is not included. Or because it is just the right thing to do at an academic institution. Captialist, Conservative Guy asks me, "So, what do you think about the inclusive language thing?"
Um. I'm a woman. And I'm taking a class that focuses on the experiences of minority groups in society and in the church. Don't you think you should go ask someone with a "W" sticker on their car? Believe me. This is the Midwest. There are plenty of them.
If you are a regular reader of Bethiclaus.com and this has alienated you in any way, please disregard. Paulo Freire is making me say strange things.
I am so excited about your class! I agree it is important to have someone in class who is smart enough to say things but naive enough to say really bad things. It keeps it interesting! Can I help research?????
Posted by: Sarah at October 2, 2005 10:23 PM
What's the opposite of alienated? I actually like you more after reading this.
Posted by: ann at October 2, 2005 11:23 PM
I took a similar class in college and loved it. You made me crack up about the Pablo Freire thing. HA!
Posted by: halloweenlover at October 3, 2005 09:56 AM
dude!! this is all very interesting and cranially stimulating and everything but uh, i want to hear some baby news!!
Posted by: andi at October 3, 2005 11:16 AM
I went to college when the internet had just come out, so there was definitely less crap to weed through. Seriously, my profs didn't even know how the site such a reference. It was like I was talking about outer space...in 1995.
Posted by: feisty girl at October 3, 2005 12:03 PM
Ah, good ol' professor Knight. Sadly the lack of conservative students at your school will not shrink but it becomes easier to laugh at them as you continue on in your studies. Say hi to Fefe for me.
Posted by: Stewie at October 3, 2005 02:26 PM
I'm sorry you have to deal with such idiots, especially when the hormones are flying. Of course you could "accidentally" let something slip when you are talking to him about him being dumb and then blame it on the hormones. Maybe someday I will blog about the stupid person in my classes. Good luck on the assignment.
Posted by: RikkiSuzanne at October 3, 2005 10:25 PM
As a reader, I get irritated with the whole excessive use of "she" or "he or she". Since I am pregnant, I have noticed a HUGE proliferation of the usage of "she" through anything baby-related.
Posted by: Cagey at October 4, 2005 10:39 AM
Try being in a political science program. The debate about politics there is pretty horrible. We actually had a guy pretty much scream "shut up!" one time. The ironic thing is that he's the guy we all wanted to shut up most of the time. Sorry you have to put up with him, but hey, you can blame your pregnancy hormones if you ever want to say or do anything to him that you normally wouldn't.
Posted by: Jessie at October 5, 2005 03:45 PM
Now that would be an interesting class, especially because he is there. Just think if everyone believed the same thing. Now you have a person to argue with. I hope he can hold his own, otherwise, what a waste. Long live intellectual discussions!
Posted by: DrinkJack at October 2, 2005 10:14 PM