Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My first reaction was that she was being silly. Then I read how the passengers were described, which included 4 people that all that was known about them was their race. I don't know that I'd call the assignment racist as much as race baiting. Totally, totally inappropriate assignment and if I were that teacher's administration we would be having some serious conversations about learning climates. Middle school students do not need an assignment that fosters distrust based on race or give a reason for a kid to put a chip on their shoulder. Idiot teacher.
__________________
When I post in bold red that is moderator action and, per the TOS, can only be discussed through Direct Message.
How is that a team building exercise? I don't know if I would go as far as calling the test racist, but it is questionable.
Most of the people's profession are given, but then there are a white guy, black guy, and Hispanic woman. So 11 year olds are deciding whether to save them based on their race alone?
Then there is a guy doctor and a girl doctor, which implies to the kids that gender matters.
I can see why people would be upset about this, but I can also see why it could be a good learning exercise to combat racism, sexism, etc. if it was handled intelligently by the teacher (although I am not sure how many teachers would be able to handle that assignment well at all).
For example, if most children would overwhelmingly choose "the white guy" over the "black guy" (or vice versa), then that could lead to WHY the child thinks the one is more important than the other, followed by a discussion about racism and why racism is bad.
However, I do think the examples chosen could have been MUCH better.
There are real life situations that demand an answer in the fraction of a moment who lives and dies ,say in a car fire .
11 year olds should be learning to think fast, and weigh values, and make life determinations and live with them.
For instance, I would not pick some one that is a political puppet liar ,you cant trust them in a life threatening situation.
Because it is a life threatening situation Regardless of gender or race I would pick all medical personnel.
Those with the greater emergency rescue experience are next regardless of race or gender.
Those that have proven their devotion to the preservation of life of others are the remaining.
The religious can afford to die .
The dead spiritually, cannot afford to die.
Reminds me of years ago, back in early 60s, when the wife would question her husband,which he would never come up with the correct answer on if he and his wife and child were out on the water and boat flipped over who would he save her or the baby first. Many men would say wife. Oops. Wrong answer. Terrible stupid question or test then and this test at school is more blatantly stupid. If the testing failed what would be the fix? Were they looking for a correct answer? If the testor found you lacking would they suggest starting up a political correctness class? Only a person void of all common sense would even try this and surprised there werent more who complained.
There are real life situations that demand an answer in the fraction of a moment who lives and dies ,say in a car fire .
11 year olds should be learning to think fast, and weigh values, and make life determinations and live with them.
For instance, I would not pick some one that is a political puppet liar ,you cant trust them in a life threatening situation.
Because it is a life threatening situation Regardless of gender or race I would pick all medical personnel.
Those with the greater emergency rescue experience are next regardless of race or gender.
Those that have proven their devotion to the preservation of life of others are the remaining.
The religious can afford to die .
The dead spiritually, cannot afford to die.
But they were not given that information, other than for the select few. Regardless, it was a very poorly designed assignment and not developmentally appropriate, including throwing their teacher's name in there.
__________________
When I post in bold red that is moderator action and, per the TOS, can only be discussed through Direct Message.
My answer to the "lifeboat" question is myself first, then my wife and then the baby. If I died I could not save anyone else. We could always make another baby anyway.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
