Apparently I am a Racist...

[CMGUY89]

Sorry in advance for the rant...

Ok so yesterday I was sitting in Writing class, we were editing other people's essays and I asked one student if English was his first language. His paper had a lot of grammar/structure errors and was about when he lived in Hong Kong. The teacher screams at me "DON'T ASK THAT QUESTION AGAIN!!! If there is a grammar error just say it!" Now, I know it may have sounded bad but the real reason I was asking was so if I could know whether grammar was something I should focus on or if it was out of his control.

I am the kind of person that gets really upset when I am yelled at, I was able to manage through the rest of class but as soon as she dismissed us I ran out of the room to keep my class from seeing the tears in my eyes. The teacher then sent me an e-mail that said
"I wanted to explain to you that every student in the class makes errors of wording and grammar and we do not try to attribute those errors to their linguistic (or other) origins. I hope you can see why it is unacceptable to do so in the case of students who look as though English might not be their first language."
I would have asked the same thing if he was white!!! I am the least racist person you can find, my mom is 1st generation American. I am just so upset that I am not going to her class tomorrow. If she gives me crap I am just going to tell her she succeeded in her goal of discouraging me from wanting to contribute. I can't wait to get the hell out of here!!!
Thanks...
:soap:

[Ms. Matterhorn]

^
That is terrible, CMGuy, I think that was an acceptable and obvious question to ask. Think of all the mistakes we would make writing in a second language. And it would definitely change your perspective on correcting the other student's grammar. I think your teacher was out of line and you should go back tomorrow. Don't let her lack of tact deprive you of learning. Let it roll off you like water off a duck's back. :donald2:

[Syndrome]

Jeez! I am a freelance writer and belong to an online forum, and we ask that question frequently. Often you can get a good inkling from a poster's use of English that it's a second language, and people often ask to confirm that impression. I never thought of it as politically incorrect. What's the world coming to? Will there be a new label and protected category? Differently Linguistically Abled?

[ktulu]

It's just the direction this country is going. Pretty soon you won't be able to look at a person without being accused of something. Good luck!

[Tara_Lee3]

that truly is ridiculous.

Frankly, that the teacher would reprimand you like that, in class, in front of other students... it doesn't matter what your supposed infraction was, that's just wrong. :(

I tend to react similarly to sharp criticism, tearing up and such. But it's a slow burn for me once the first emotion dies down. Then I get mad, AND I get even.

Were I you? I would write a strongly worded letter detailing the emotional pain and shock I felt at being addressed in such a harsh manner in front of my fellow students whom I will now have to face for the remainder of the school year. Then if that weren't enough, to receive, instead of an in person apology, an email jumping to an instant conclusion and accusation of racism....? *huge dramatic sob* I just never expected something like that from a teacher at so fine and diverse a school! I would hate to know that any other students might be so shamefully treated... etc.. Then deliver it directly to the Department Chair. (assuming you're in College, Principal if High School) :twisted:

Course... that's just me... You may also want to resort to Tacks on Teacher's Chair, a la Dash from the Incredibles. :p:

[DisneyMom]

Totally Stupid of that instructor....Same mentality that accuses 5 year olds of "sexual harassment" if they don't pull up their pants entirely while leaving the bathroom stall at school....

Where you are from could account for a multitude of grammatical differences, as pointed out in another thread on this board.

[hobie16]

Reminds me of a group secretary years ago. You couldn't say anything around her without her accusing you of making a "sexist" remark. She nailed me one day for something that was no where near being sexist. I looked her in the eye and replied, "That in merely your opinion." She never pulled out the sexist card again.

[disneyprincess1988]

Totally Stupid of that instructor....Same mentality that accuses 5 year olds of "sexual harassment" if they don't pull up their pants entirely while leaving the bathroom stall at school....

WHAT?! That is so ridiculous! Now granted, 5 year olds should be taught what is appropriate behavior and what isn't, but that is going way too far.

[DisneyMom]

WHAT?! That is so ridiculous! Now granted, 5 year olds should be taught what is appropriate behavior and what isn't, but that is going way too far.

Yeah, that's what they accused my Autistic son of! it's my fault, I was so excited that he actually used the bathroom, I forgot all about remembering to tell him that you needed to pull your pants up entirely before leaving the stall
(The subject never came up before!) how do moms really demonstrate that
anyway?

HAHA, the above sounds funny! I always remembered FOR MYSELF!

[Mayonnaise]

People are waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to concerned with appearances. I asked my boss once if one of our clients was ESL because of the incomprehensible, but consistently similar grammatical errors in all the copy he sent, and got a reaming out as if I'd said it in front of the client. I've never even MET the client, so I don't know what he looks like... We've gone way to PC these days for fear of getting sued by someone.

Sounds like this teacher is covering their arse, bigtime.

8^S