"Professor Says She Was Punished For Refusing To See Gay Show"

[nimchimpsky]

I'm gay and I had to read the Bible in high school. If I didn't I wouldn't have graduated. In fact it was sophomore year of school, so it would have been illegal for me not to attend class. Another time I was forced to sit through a class where my professor, who was sighted, lectured to the class, horribly inaccurate information about what it's like to be blind. As a blind person, I felt the need to pitch in respectfully, but he ignored my raised hand every time. I had to answer questions on the final that go against my direct personal experience--about how blind people's experiences are not as valuable as those of sighted people's--all this incredibly biased, prejudiced BS--just so I could get a passing grade. I cringed through the whole experience but that's what it took to pass the class.

I'm sorry but I don't have much sympathy for this. You don't have to agree with everything you see or read. There are plenty of times when I am forced by school, or work, or even family pressures, to do things that I disagree with. I think she should have just gone to watch the event, contended that she disagreed with it, and then went about her business. If she had gone to see the show and then written a paper about how she disagreed with it, and then her professor penalized her for that, I would agree. It's not fair to penalize someone for having an opinion but it is fair to penalize someone for not fully participating in an activity that is required of everyone. The professor wasn't asking her to engage in homosexuality, just to see a show that discusses it.

[nimchimpsky]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

So, how do you feel about forced participation in reciting the pledge (with G-d in it) and forced participation in Christmas productions? I was subjected to both growing up, but nobody seemed to care much about it - myself included. But I guess in our society religious indoctrination = okay?

Thank you and same!

I think people need to just realize they aren't always going to agree with everyone, they aren't always going to get their way, they can do something knowing they disagree with it and then move on!

[desertdetroiter]

Her word, their word.

The end.

[nimchimpsky]

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

She's a professor of theater and dance, and she's a homophobe? Someone obviously needs a new job. The university is doing her a favor.

Lol.

[nimchimpsky]

ETA: I just realized this is a professor and not a student. But in any case, you still will have to see/read/do things you don't necessarily personally agree with, and as a professor, all the more reason she should be aware of different perspectives.