I teach co-op classes now about 3 times a week and today the topic was Conflict Resolution.
So we did this exercise where I will say a controversial sentence and the class has to physically go and stand under signs that read "AGREE," "DISAGREE" or "NEUTRAL."
Then we discuss their opinions and the dynamics in the difference of opinions. We also talk about how everyone's opinion stems from a specific way of thinking, a certain kind of upbringing or other factors that influence how one resolves a conflict with someone else. It's really fun.
So I said "Everyone is born racist."
And the people who disagreed, namely three girls, were stating how one cannot be born racist. That one is raised to have racist viewpoints or that they choose to be racist. I told them to elaborate so they went on about how it's like being gay; one cannot be born gay, it's a choice.
So again, I told them to elaborate and they noted a few shocking perspectives: gay people choose to be gay, it is not a natural thing. Gay people have a mental disease. Gay people have either been molested or raped as a child.
I always make sure that a class that I am facilitating is an environment where people's opinions are respected so I let them have their say. To be honest, it was really interesting. They continued about how there is no scientific fact that homosexuality was a natural thing people were born with.
I then went on about pituatary glands, gender issues and other related studies. I noted that statistics say that 1/10 people are gay. So I said, "Well, there could be a gay person here in this room. In fact, I'm gay. And I was not molested as a child."
Complete silence.
Suddenly, everyone was asking me questions and I answered really sincerely. It was one of the best workshops I have ever taught. I can't believe how amazing it feels to be in a position where I can engage youth in creating dialogue about something that is so close to home.
It felt really good to hear some ignorant comments as it was just plain ol' ignorance; teenagers who didn't know any better.
And by the end, I think I gave them some really interesting insights to take with them about sexuality, gender and how to respect other people's opinions. It was really nice to be able to be somewhat objective and let them have their say despite my personal beliefs and experiences.
One guy was asking about effeminacy and "flamers" and I just answered him honestly, "part natural, part socialization, part conditioning, part repression, part conformity..."
He came up to me to thank me later and will be contacting me for more help with his career. Rarely do we get to experience such honest conversation with such impressionable people.
I thought I'd share.
So we did this exercise where I will say a controversial sentence and the class has to physically go and stand under signs that read "AGREE," "DISAGREE" or "NEUTRAL."
Then we discuss their opinions and the dynamics in the difference of opinions. We also talk about how everyone's opinion stems from a specific way of thinking, a certain kind of upbringing or other factors that influence how one resolves a conflict with someone else. It's really fun.
So I said "Everyone is born racist."
And the people who disagreed, namely three girls, were stating how one cannot be born racist. That one is raised to have racist viewpoints or that they choose to be racist. I told them to elaborate so they went on about how it's like being gay; one cannot be born gay, it's a choice.
So again, I told them to elaborate and they noted a few shocking perspectives: gay people choose to be gay, it is not a natural thing. Gay people have a mental disease. Gay people have either been molested or raped as a child.
I always make sure that a class that I am facilitating is an environment where people's opinions are respected so I let them have their say. To be honest, it was really interesting. They continued about how there is no scientific fact that homosexuality was a natural thing people were born with.
I then went on about pituatary glands, gender issues and other related studies. I noted that statistics say that 1/10 people are gay. So I said, "Well, there could be a gay person here in this room. In fact, I'm gay. And I was not molested as a child."
Complete silence.
Suddenly, everyone was asking me questions and I answered really sincerely. It was one of the best workshops I have ever taught. I can't believe how amazing it feels to be in a position where I can engage youth in creating dialogue about something that is so close to home.
It felt really good to hear some ignorant comments as it was just plain ol' ignorance; teenagers who didn't know any better.
And by the end, I think I gave them some really interesting insights to take with them about sexuality, gender and how to respect other people's opinions. It was really nice to be able to be somewhat objective and let them have their say despite my personal beliefs and experiences.
One guy was asking about effeminacy and "flamers" and I just answered him honestly, "part natural, part socialization, part conditioning, part repression, part conformity..."
He came up to me to thank me later and will be contacting me for more help with his career. Rarely do we get to experience such honest conversation with such impressionable people.
I thought I'd share.
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