Indoctrination of basic human empathy. Yep, I'm for that.
I wonder what the poem should have contained to not be 'indoctrination' and 'programming'? Something you agree with?
Did this kid get a counter view on this White male guilt crap?
Likely no, it was just taught as fact, when it isn't.
How do you get 'guilt' out of poem which says how glad he is to be an upper/middle class white guy? Because he expressed sorrow for the circumstances of folk who haven't had it so good?
Saying sorry about your situation, that you had no control over, is not indicative of sorrow but guilt.
Again, the kid explicitly says that he "-ing loves being privileged," that he wouldn't change places with anyone less fortunate and that he obviously had nothing to do with creating the current social system: But he believes it could/should be as good for all other people too.
If someone says to a bereaved person "I'm sorry for your loss" you'd ask the police to arrest the guilty bastard, or what?
When did I ever suggest anyone should be arrested for anything?
You suggested that saying sorry for other's unfortunate circumstances, as in this poem, must be an expression of guilt. My question was rhetorical of course: We all know that you would have an entirely different perspective on someone saying "sorry" for a bereavement or disaster or pretty much anything else where an expression of sorrow is appropriate. What isn't so clear is why you and others have got this special judgement reserved for a kid you know nothing about it.
You suggested that saying sorry for other's unfortunate circumstances, as in this poem, must be an expression of guilt. My question was rhetorical of course: We all know that you would have an entirely different perspective on someone saying "sorry" for a bereavement or disaster or pretty much anything else where an expression of sorrow is appropriate. What isn't so clear is why you've got this special judgement reserved for a kid you know nothing about it.
I've read the story.
He learned this stuff in a Race, Class and Gender class in his school, which I can nearly guarantee is taught from the normal ideological perspective that White and male is a privileged status.
Without nuance or counter views.
It's indoctrination.
He threw it out there for exposure, so people have every right to disagree and comment.
I'm not sure what you mean by them, but I'd guess that "nuance and counter views" do not figure prominently in classes about maths or science or geography or history. So do you call those indoctrination? Sociology is a scientific field too. Personally I would guess that such a subject would involve more classroom discussion and debate than most others. But neither my nor your speculation about the exact nature of someone's specific school classes is anything a sensible person would call evidence :lol:
Of course, but that doesn't explain why many of these comments seem to be products of reactionary emotionalism rather than reason and evidence.
I mean geez, boiled down to nuts and bolts the kid's saying "I've had it great and I love it, but not everyone does, and they really should." Therefore he's a head case?
I'm not sure what you mean by them, but I'd guess that "nuance and counter views" do not figure prominently in classes about maths or science or geography or history. So do you call those indoctrination? Sociology is a scientific field too. Personally I would guess that such a subject would involve more classroom discussion and debate than most others. But neither my nor your speculation about the exact nature of someone's specific school classes is anything a sensible person would call evidence :lol:
You certainly can view his work any way you like...........that's fine.
Just don't expect others to view it your way.
It was purposely put out there to stir emotion and commentary.
By Blaxshep especially :lol:
I didn't comment about anyone who simply said "I don't like it"; that's a subjective opinion, and you can't debate opinions. Frankly I don't much like it myself. Accusations of indoctrination, plagiarism or mental illness aren't quite the same thing though. I'm merely making the observation that since they've been made by a number of posters on the basis of no evidence, they probably reveal a bit more about those posters than they do about the boy or the poem.
Indoctrination of basic human empathy. Yep, I'm for that.
That poem wasnt' empathy, it was mentally abusing a child into hating himself because he is white. Imagine if a black boy was told to write a poem hating himself cause he's black.
I doubt you'd consider that "empathy".
That poem wasnt' empathy, it was mentally abusing a child into hating himself because he is white. Imagine if a black boy was told to write a poem hating himself cause he's black.
I doubt you'd consider that "empathy".
FULL TRANSCRIPT OF POEM
Dear women, I'm sorry.
Dear black people, I'm sorry.
Dear Asian-Americans, dear Native Americans, dear immigrants who come here seeking a better life, I'm sorry.
Dear everyone who isn't a middle or upper-class white boy, I'm sorry.
I have started life in the top of the ladder while you were born on the first rung.
I say now that I would change places with you in an instant, but if given the opportunity, would I?
Probably not.
Because to be honest, being privileged is awesome. I'm not saying that you and me on different rungs of the ladder is how I want it to stay.
I'm not saying that any part of me has for a moment even liked it that way....
Read: 'White Boy Privilege' Poem Full Transcript