So, students in my summer Writing for Bubblegum Wrappers were discussing personality traits related to being selfless. The litany of responses equated selflessness with insanity, so when one student piped up that selfless students are "gay," I thought he was throwing yet another derogatory label into the mix.
Me: We don't use the word "gay" as something negative or derogatory here, Middle-Aged Mike. Using the word "gay" as something negative is impolite and unprofessional.
Middle-Aged Mike: Oh, no. I didn't mean that. You're thinking I meant faggots.
I wanted to retreat to the corner, put my head in my hands, and rock like a baby. Instead, I said, "We don't use the word 'faggot' as something negative or derogatory here, Middle-Aged Mike. In fact, the word 'faggot' is not an acceptable term to use to refer to homosexual men."
Middle-Aged Mike--who smells of stale tobacco, wears stained tee-shirts, and could use a trip to the dentist--replied, "Oh. I didn't mean nothin'."
Well, at least he didn't mean nothin' by it... *grimace* Let's hope that Middle-Aged Mike learned something.
ReplyDeleteYou stood up and stopped him in his tracks -- he may repeat it outside of class but more than likely not in yours anymore. At least any gay students you have will have a safe classroom now.
ReplyDelete"Middle-Aged Mike: Oh, no. I didn't mean that. You're thinking I meant faggots."
ReplyDeleteWhat was his look as he said this? Did he honestly seem to think that the word "faggots" would be acceptable?
Also, haven't any of you read Ayn Rand? Selflessness is bad and selfishness is a virtue, because there is absolutely no distinction between the three seemingly different concepts of self-interest, human survival, and moral Good.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know anyone even still said "faggots." Then again, I just heard a man today say that bisexual women are sexually dysfunctional. I don't think anyone's made that argument since DH Lawrence spewed it in Lady Chatterly's Lover.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure calling him a redneck wouldn't help...
ReplyDelete@ issyvoo,
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the giants.
SchmittyRKD, he honestly thought that it was okay to use the word "faggot." Yes he did.
ReplyDeleteAnd Contemplative, he's not a redneck. Seriously. He's a city guy. I hear lots and lots of people from the city--black and white folks alike--use the word "faggot" in the northern city where I live and teach. I wish I were making this up.
I'm equally certain that he's never read Ayn Rand.
"I hear lots and lots of people from the city--black and white folks alike--use the word "faggot" in the northern city where I live and teach. I wish I were making this up."
ReplyDeleteOh no, I believe that wholeheartedly. I'm often called a "faggot" by males ranging from ages 7 to 22 as I'm riding my bicycle. I'm straight as the Platonic form of a perfect Line, but it must be the bike helmet or something. Or just the institutionalized automobile-normativity of our society.
This is in a county that's almost completely dominated by the Democratic Party, btw.