As the semester draws to a close, I find myself becoming increasingly irritated by what unfortunately seem to be growing trends in Baker’s classrooms: rudeness and hostility. I know sometimes our fellow classmates say things we don’t agree with, and we feel the need to express and defend our own beliefs. I also understand when people are passionate about a subject, discussions have a tendency to get heated, and we often say things in the heat of the moment we otherwise would not. However, I do not understand why people feel the need to turn the classroom environment, which is supposed to be a place where students can openly exchange ideas and express opinions, into a hostile battleground.
Perhaps some of you are wondering what I mean by that. Maybe this is not a problem many students at Baker have encountered. It is possible I just happen to be in several classes right now with particularly volatile students who are discussing particularly controversial topics. However, I am willing to bet my fellow classmates are not the only students who have had to walk the plank aboard the S.S. Hostility this semester.
I have witnessed students being attacked during classroom discussions for everything from their religious beliefs to their presentation topics. I have seen students fire questions at their “victim,” but rather than listen to the person’s reply, they simply cut the person off or allow other students to answer. Here is a little tip, if you are going to blatantly attack someone by firing hostile questions, at least allow them to answer. There are certain responsibilities of being involved in a discussion I believe people overlook.
For example, name-calling and cursing are not effective ways to make a point or to criticize someone else’s point. Yelling over someone who is already speaking also accomplishes nothing because it makes you seem rude for interrupting and neither speaker can be heard anyway. Try collecting your thoughts before raising your hand, waiting for permission to speak and then expressing your view or criticizing another person’s view in a controlled and well-thought-out manner. Trust me, the validity and value of your statement has a much better chance of being recognized.
I urge you to prepare yourself for the “real world” by using the many opportunities classroom discussions provide to practice self-control when discussing controversial topics. It is irrelevant whether you are friends with the person or if you agree with what he or she is saying, because no one deserves to be attacked for simply expressing an opinion or sharing ideas.
If you practice the etiquette of classroom discussion on a regular basis, your efforts will not go unrewarded.