| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Mar | May » | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||
- Introduction to Sociology (959)
- Mr. Andoscia (161)
- Social Problems (883)
- Uncategorized (1180)
- 7. February 2012: EmmOvin-Changes in the American family
- 6. February 2012: Overbearing Parents
- 2. February 2012: EmmOvin-Cohabiting
- 14. January 2012: Victim's Families in Mississippi Are Upset - ConnieB
- 9. December 2011: Blogs are now Closed for the Semester
- 9. December 2011: School choice Mara Runion
- 9. December 2011: Cheatonyourspouse.com-SRC
- 9. December 2011: Gay Marriage-Joel Martin
- 9. December 2011: Gay marriges Mara Runion
- 9. December 2011: Childhood Obesity- Amanda Robinson
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
On Being Offended: By Mr. Andoscia
Last week students in my Social Problems class had the opportunity to talk about…(in hushed tones) sex. It’s been my experience that just talking about sex is difficult for most. We are socialized to think that there is something wrong with this topic. Talking about sex is legitimized by speaking in clinical terms, using cryptic language (substituting the word “adult” for the word “sex” as in Adult Club, or Adult Store), or by joking. Just having a conversation about sex just…feels wrong.
Consequently, it is my understanding, that some people (myself included) were offended by some of the things said in class. Some left class, some nursed their ill feelings quietly. To such people I say, “speak up!”
I’ve always maintained that no one has a right to “not be offended.” What you do have a right to do is give voice to your feelings. If you are offended by what someone says, say so. If you sit there quietly, or you walk away then you cannot complain about the direction the discussion has taken. You have a part to play in guiding the discourse. If you do not fulfill your role you cannot expect any conversation to go your way.
I take great pride in my class that everyone has a right to voice their opinions. And everyone has a right to challenge the opinions voiced. If such opinions are baseless it doesn’t take long before that is proven; after all, it is a room full of educated people.
The theme of all of my classes is participation in society. The first step in active social action is speaking. Do not hold your opinions in confidence.
4. April 2009 at 21:58
I would like to discuss our class debate on the sexual content in the “Andosciaville” area and proposals to either create a red light district or to sensor these places of business and possibly shut them down. As an adult I do not feel that censorship is absolutely necessary in a college classroom. These classes are meant to educate us and this class in particular shows young adults how to express their opinions in an intelligent and professional manner. Unfortunately, some individuals took these opinions to another level. Some comments that were made had no intelligence or thought put into them.
I want to personally address those classmates that forgot to think before they speak. It is one thing to debate a very hot topic in society intelligently. And it is another to make a mockery of your education and make yourself look like a fool. I was disgusted by several comments made especially because I have stepdaughters and realized that these are sexual comments that they may have to face one day as grown women. One group needs to realize that in life you should remember that if you want to make a difference and have your voice heard you need to put some time and effort into your conversations. I also felt that it was disrespectful to our professor to make a mockery out of this class.
Thank you to all the groups that brought some real problems in our area and addressed them in an adult manner. Obviously, the students that did have actually taken something from our class. I personally left after the first group made some crude sexual comments. I do feel that I should have stayed after the second was finished so I could voice my opinion and direct my distaste at that group directly and I am sorry I didn’t have the chance.
I only hope that in the real world that this is not the direction some people take on discussing real issues and that we can all learn something from these proposals.
8. April 2009 at 18:04
I’d love to tell you that people handle themselves better in real public forums and real claimsmaking marketplaces…but that would be a lie. Some pretty unfortunate claims are made and proposals offered. The point is to make sure there is someone there to counter the ridiculous, absurd or even dangerous. If you leave, or if you remain silent, the ridiculous claim could win out, and you are complicit in this. Remember, the holocaust was based on social problems claims making. There must have been someone around who thought the claim was absurd and the policies were atrocious. What did they do? They shut up, they left town…leaving the rest to suffer the consequences.