<p>“I also don’t think you are obliged to know the social hierarchy in Latin America( nor care about it).”</p>
<p>Agree completely.</p>
<p>Thank you for further commenting, Limewine. It helped me further understand what he may have perceived and, perhaps, think of him less oddly as I do.</p>
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<p>I’m just adding to the conversation in a friendly manner. Nowhere in my post did I express approval of those attitudes. If anything, my position on that is quite clear from my bringing up the historical background which was brought up politely, but honestly with her by both myself and her granddaughter. </p>
<p>Please, take a chill pill.</p>
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<p>Certainly not. </p>
<p>However, understanding the dynamics can help determine whether there’s a genuine grievance or the overentitled whinings of someone used to racial and social privilege like that grandmother and act accordingly.</p>
<p>You know, the fact that Japan invaded Manchuria is a widely known thing. As is the fact that there can be strong negative feelings based on history between the Japanese, Chinese, and Korean peoples. Speaking for myself, I really don’t need a lecture on the subject.</p>
<p>I think this ^^ is yanking chains again.</p>
<p>My high school (30+ years ago) was majority Asian, with a very-well understood hierarchy of: Japanese on top, big drop (using CC lingo here), then Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and all other non-Asians. The Japanese kids had “social clubs” which I guess were like sororities, with club group portraits, everyone dressed the same. My best friend’s mom was a Japanese Cherry Blossom queen (something like that - it’s been so long), and her dad was Chinese, so my friend had a Chinese last name. I think she had trouble fitting in, and hung out with me, who was neither of those.</p>
<p>A moment of clarity?</p>
<p>Maybe we are not disagreeing about the same thing. I do not think the sub was necessarily racist or mean spirited. I do think his questions were inappropriate…he unknowingly put some students in an awkward position (with regards to their peers). It doesn’t matter what his intention was…students felt uncomfortable. He was not sensitive to the culture of the class he was subbing in. Instead of playing it safe, he let his personal agenda take over ( I don’t need to follow the lesson plans, respect the students time, and I am free to ask whatever questions i want, whether they have an academic purpose or not.)</p>
<p>I don’t think any of us are OK with making students feel threatened in a public school classroom. It doesn’t matter if we agree with their perceptions not. They are children and their perceptions are complicated. Hopefully they can be educated to value themselves as individuals and drop unnecessary baggage.</p>
<p>Wow, this cycles back, Lime. Not all subs follow the plan, OP said the roll took about 5 minutes, and did she say, threatened" or was that another poster’s tack?</p>
<p>But yes, seen one way, he was ineffective. Seen another way, by some, these things happen and some here say they roll with the punches.</p>
<p>That leaves us with OP’s reactions, which I feel she has a right to. We don’t know more than what she specifically said (and speculated.) No he didn’t learn the culture of the class- but he was a transient figure. We do each bring on our own past experiences, sensitivities and stances to this convo- and as romani and HC showed, and Bay and others, where we live can also color how we see this. I do hope this 5 minutes won’t be long term “baggage.”</p>
<p>Your link is interesting. I don’t see (yet) guidelines on what can be asked or when/how, do see an encouragement of discussion. It raises good thinking points.</p>
<p>Threatened now? She clearly doesn’t value herself as an individual if being asked where she is from makes her feel threatened. This is high school not kindergarten. A fine time to learn this question is harmless. IMHO.</p>
<p>Wow and yay, a back on topic post, Flossy!
Yes, in elementary school often kids LIKE to be called on and singled out.</p>
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<p>Only if that’s defined as invalidating the OP’s feelings of the incident and ignoring Limewire’s posts like:</p>
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<p>or lookingforward’s post:</p>
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<p>which ARE actually on topic.</p>
<p>Contrast to what you believe, cobrat, we were not off topic, cobrat. We were taking about the offenses in relation to people’s origin.</p>
<p>Niquii77,</p>
<p>I was referring to posts #629 and #630 by flossy and jym626.</p>
<p>I think the OP now knows, however, that if a similar situation were to happen again, she can:</p>
<p>a) brightly answer, “I’m from Cleveland!” (or wherever) when she’s asked where she’s from, to nicely and pleasantly send the message that she is as much of an American as anyone else, even if her name isn’t Smith or Jones. </p>
<p>b) consider letting the sub or other person know, nicely and in private, that it made her feel uncomfortable. The vast majority of the time, the other person will say – oops, sorry, I hadn’t meant to make you uncomfortable, accept my apology, apologies accepted, goodwill restored, let’s smile and move on. Cobrat, of course, is delusional in his belief that such an approach is to be avoided because the sub will turn crazy and smear the student’s reputation all over town and consequently ruin the student’s life. It’s simply a possibility that is so small it’s not worth considering.</p>
<p>Just because a post is pointed out as on topic does not mean that a smattering of other posts, or lines in other posts are not. Flossy’s post was on topic, and I said so, Please consider loosening up the screws on your thinking. Arguing just for the sake of arguing or to derail the thread yet again. It adds no value to the discussion.</p>
<p>The OP has long left this thread. One doesn’t have to think too hard to surmise why.</p>
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<p>Considering the position you took on your posts and support provided to those with similar positions, there’s an applicable idiom regarding the pot calling the kettle out on its hypocrisy…</p>
<p>That makes absolutely no sense. This is a DISCUSSION. Its not about taking sides. And all to often it gets taken to some off topic irrlevant issue that has little to do with the question the poster raised. Perhaps there is a better sandbox to play in.</p>
<p>Like the Vietnam War? Sigh!</p>
<p>Oh heavens. I missed that major left-hand turn to that discussion back in/around post 215, flossy!!</p>
<p>The discussion has helped me sort through my feelings on this issue. </p>
<p>I find it uncomfortable when someone tries to sound like an authority on the issue, endlessly. And, rather than back it up with some reference to official hs policies today or some studies or conferences, it’s all over the map. Anecdotes, over and over, pronouncements, examples that seem irrelevant.</p>
<p>There are other, intellectually competitive forums out there for that sort of dance. They may be more fruitful and satisfying. Just saying.</p>