Is this racist, does my teacher have a right to punish me for this?

[chadachada123]

Make your paper extremely sarcastic or something.

Alternately, talk to your parents, the counselor, the principal, etc.

*Edit* On the topic of attractiveness, I find myself oddly most-attracted to beautiful Arabian or Persian females. It's interesting, to say the least. Few other ethnicities are so blanketly-beautiful in my eyes.

 

[VelvetHorror]

Are you a homophobe for not finding guys attractive? No, that's just your personal tastes. It's the same with issues of color. I don't particularly find dark skin to be attractive(well there are exceptions of course) but that doesn't mean I'm racist. Attraction happens on an individual basis. A woman could have all of the broad qualities you find attractive and you can still find her unattractive. The vice versa is true.

 

[Loonyyy]

Yeah, that's kind of racist on the part of the teacher. Punishing people for making personal aesthetic choices, not necessarily related to the racial backgrounds of people, is furthering the idea that their is a difference between different Races. There isn't. There shouldn't be. If people with darker skin like people with darker skin, that's fine. If they like people with lighter skin, that's fine. If people with light skin like light skin, that's fine, if they like dark skin, THAT'S ALSO FINE.

When people segregate each other, by saying "You must want to have sexual relations with these people, because to do otherwise would denigrate their entire race." is absurd. Are we going to call people who like blondes hairist, or those who like Redheads? What about those who like people of certain heights? Are they now heightist?

Once you force tolerance on people, you aren't being tolerant, you're acknowledging racial difference, and promoting the difference doesn't make us all the same. It makes us tiptoe around people resentfully. (I'm not very eloquent, but see the South Park episodes about Tolerance Camp and the South Park flag, for an better example).

I salute you sir, for liking women with light skin! As should be your Right!

 

[Sonic Doctor]

No you are not racist; I recommend going to see your principal about this.

That is the dumbest accusation I've ever heard. You are not racist, only human. What the hell kind of qualifications does she have to teach psychology?

'Nuff said

What state do you live in that they allow people to teach with just a high school diploma?

I live in Indiana, a people can't teach kids in grades 12 and lower, until they go through four years of college, doing the core curriculum, a major curriculum(one in the field they want to teach), and then around 12 education classes, at least two of which involve going to a classroom and observing, then eventually student teaching in one. They also have to take a test called the Praxis, which costs 175 dollars to be able to take it. The test is the pass needed to keep working within the education degree program. Then after they graduate with their specified education degrees, they have to take another test to get a teaching license.

Though if people want to avoid all that, they can work to become a college professor. It is much simpler. All they have to do is get a Masters or Masters of Fine Arts in the field they want to teach, take two basic teaching classes, and student teach a college class(while getting paid to do so).

Basically, from what I've been told form my professors, the majority of the professors, around 80% or more, at the university I went to, don't have teaching licenses and have really no background in education classes. So basically, whether they show it or not, grade school teachers, at least in Indiana, are more qualified to teach than most college professors.

 

[WalkableBuffalo]

Honestly if the term 'coloured people' is racist, then what terms are you supposed to use?
But no not racist, I seriously hope that teacher has something happen or at least learns the error of her ways

 

[Ravenbom]

Should have said: Pale Skin


BUT, it's not racist. It is, however, racial.
There's a difference, racists believe other races are beneath their own, while saying something racial means using racial terms.


If racial = racist than employment forms, tax forms and for that matter schools are racist because they make you fill out a "Race: Check all that apply".
That's racial, not racist.
If those forms said: "Check the superior race" then that would be racist.

 

[A Free Man]

snip.

I hate debates about racism. Basically I think anything that is purposely malicious is racist and that's it. If something is not intended to demean someone based on their race then it is not racist. I have no problem openly admiting I don't find most people of other races physically attractive and yet some of my closest friends are different races to my own. It doesn't mean anything and anyone who says it does is just trying to rock the boat for no real reason.

 

[arealperson]

This is a psychology class. What is the lesson behind the lesson? is there a subtler point being made, perhaps about preconceptions?

I'm surprised this was the only answer of this nature.

Maybe your teacher is playing games with you?  What might be a good idea is to take up the paper not as a punishment, but an opportunity.  Look up a possible psychological profile that could have caused her to react this way.  Observe that your class may have reacted in a mob mentality fashion (or something to that effect, docile, apathetic, your approach doesn't matter).  She may have been observing your mental consistency out of some sort of anecdotal research of her own as well.  Who knows, right?  That's often the point of scholastic evaluation.  Not to know, but to observe and postulate based on your observations.

Granted, I have never taken a psychology class and maybe the nature of them is purely instructional and not half as interesting as I'm trying to propose.  But you're of college age now, so there is no real expectation of you to complete this course (though I don't encourage you to throw your tuition down the drain), so this may be a good opportunity to show your maturity, look at this from a different angle, or just commit to a task when assigned to it.

Personally, I've looked at my teachers actions from a psychological viewpoint (not in an academic sense, mind) for a long time, so this type of class seems the perfect opportunity to exploit various mentalities.  Don't feel too subjugated, whatever the event.

 

[angry_flashlight]

Anyway, she didn't even give me a chance to explain what I meant by that, and wouldn't hear a word of it when I tried. Now I have to write a paper about racial tolerance. Is this right? Am I a racist, just for finding one skin color more physically appealing than the others?

Spin the paper into an essay on how Political Correctness actually enforces racial/ethnic divides instead of bridging them by highlighting differences, not similarities. Perhaps mention how PERSONAL PREFERENCES FOR SEXUAL PARTNERS DO NOT MAKE ONE RACIST IN ANY WAY (refer to Darwinian evolutionary theory if you need to).

Do this, then take the matter to the higher ups. Keep going as far as you need to. Her actions are unprofessional and discriminatory, she is clearly in the wrong and could be easily defeated by anyone with an once of logic (YMMV). Threaten legal action on the basis of violation of individual rights if, and only if, necessary (it shouldn't be needed, but you never know these days :/).


Also, I'm sorry you got stuck with a ***** of a teacher. She'd probably think this comment is sexist too because I think she's a ***** for doing this to you.

 

[michael_ab]

We were discussing attraction in psychology today and we did a worksheet, one of the questions being about what we find attractive in the opposite sex. When it got to which physical characteristics we find most attractive,

ok everyone is going on about what you said... but i gotta ask... what the hell gave the teacher the right to ask your sexual preference IN A GRADED ASSIGNMENT??? it is true that a teacher can ask that, but you retain the right to say "its none of your business" and still retain a grade.

also just noticed did he give an option for same sex preference?

something you will notice about people is that the first people to pull the racism card are likely racists themselves, and the lack of a same sex option tells me he/she is prejudiced towards gays too.

 

[Wuggy]

No it's not racist: it's personal preference when it comes to appearance. Skin color is a part of appearence, and a pretty prevalent part at that. We shouldn't pretend to be colorblind, that's fighting ignorance with more ignorance.

 

[Crusader1089]

You must develop a stronger sense of self, in order to lambast your teacher when she jumps down your throat.

With a carefully constructed ego, it is possible to make teachers opinions revolve around your opinions and not the other way around.

You did nothing wrong, your teacher is a fool. Convince them of that. Stand your ground. Use the report to explain just how you were right.

 

[Torrasque]

"What do you find attractive in girls?"
'White skin is preferable'
"I don't like that answer, 50 DKP minus"

What the fuck.
Thats like asking you what pop you like, and what you don't like, and you say "I prefer coke" and your teacher docks you marks because you don't like pepsi.
What are you supposed to do? Lie?
"Yeah, I actually don't care about her skin colour at all"
'Ok! You are part of a minority of the human race!'
"But I don't like girls that are 500lbs"
'DOCKED MARKS. HOW DARE YOU BE SO SUPERFICIAL!'
"But... I don't... How do I... That doesn't..."

TL;DR
Your teacher is being stupid.

 

[ImmortalDrifter]

No it isn't racist and in the spirit of being bored allow me to present you a model plan of what to do.

1. Do the report, use clever reasoning to direct the report in a way that shows that she was wrong.
2. Talk to your prinipal about it.
3. Talk to some people with darker skin about it. (because skin was the only thing mentioned.)
4. Shove a lawsuit up your teachers ass for asking about your sexual preferences in the first place.
5. Emerge the victor.
6. Date whoever the hell you want.

 

[Char-Nobyl]

We were discussing attraction in psychology today and we did a worksheet, one of the questions being about what we find attractive in the opposite sex. When it got to which physical characteristics we find most attractive, I listed:

somewhat tall
healthy-looking, ie in good shape but not too skinny
dark hair
white skin

Sounds fine so far. I can guess already that it was the 'white skin' bit that got you in hot water, but honestly? You were asked what you were physically attracted to. If you prefer white skin over other shades, that's that. If you'd been asked for an even more general list and put 'female' as one of the items, your teacher would be just as wrong if he/she claimed that you're homophobic.

and some other things, but that last one was what got me in trouble. Now, at no point did I say I find other skin colors unattractive, and I did not say that I find colored people unattractive, just for their skin color. All I said was that it was one of many physical characteristics (saying nothing of personality and intellectual traits) that I find attractive. And also, it's not like I'd turn down a girl just because of her skin color, to me it's just one trait that I notice, and there are many more (saying nothing of intellectual and personality traits). To me, dating a black or asian girl would be no different than dating a blonde, yes I prefer dark to blonde hair but I can still find her attractive and nice (hopefully). I thought I was being honest about a personal opinion in a mature discussion about a mature topic.

In short, it's no different than my finding dark brown hair more attractive than light blonde hair. It's only a superficial thing.

So far, so good. After all, you were listing what you found most attractive, not the minimum requirements for prospective dates.

Anyway, she didn't even give me a chance to explain what I meant by that, and wouldn't hear a word of it when I tried. Now I have to write a paper about racial tolerance. Is this right? Am I a racist, just for finding one skin color more physically appealing than the others?

Erm...no, not in the slightest. Here's part one of a three-part discussion that relates to this. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2PwhZ82YHU] It's Louis C.K., so it's good for a laugh, but it has a real point: one of the guys (black) in the discussion is literally insisting that his white co-hosts are racist because they aren't as attracted to black women as they are to white women.

Look, mate, your teacher is clearly in the wrong. She's not just a prick: she's a prick who's totally unqualified to be teaching a psychology class if she flips out at someone's sexual preference. Because yes, this is about sexual preference.

Don't write the paper. Either notify the department chair, the principle/head whatever, or whoever this asshole's superior is. Not only can you get out of this unscathed, but you can drop the chain of command on your teacher like a ton of politically correct bricks. You can basically just present your argument as you did here, and you'll be set.

EDIT/UPDATE: Okay, so the term 'colored people' comes off as racist. Just a poor choice of words on my part, sorry. I'd actually been told it was the politically correct term.

Funny way to play it off if you want to: say that you meant white over orange skin, but the teacher wouldn't let you explain. With all the horrific tanning accidents you see walking around these days, that's a pretty relevant preference to specify.

 

[chstens]

That isn't racism in any way, shape or form. I'm in the same boat as you, I have never in my life found a black woman physically attractive, that doesn't mean I don't value their company or dislike them in any way.

 

[Char-Nobyl]

This is a psychology class. What is the lesson behind the lesson? is there a subtler point being made, perhaps about preconceptions?

I'm surprised this was the only answer of this nature.

Maybe your teacher is playing games with you? What might be a good idea is to take up the paper not as a punishment, but an opportunity. Look up a possible psychological profile that could have caused her to react this way. Observe that your class may have reacted in a mob mentality fashion (or something to that effect, docile, apathetic, your approach doesn't matter). She may have been observing your mental consistency out of some sort of anecdotal research of her own as well. Who knows, right? That's often the point of scholastic evaluation. Not to know, but to observe and postulate based on your observations.

Granted, I have never taken a psychology class and maybe the nature of them is purely instructional and not half as interesting as I'm trying to propose. But you're of college age now, so there is no real expectation of you to complete this course (though I don't encourage you to throw your tuition down the drain), so this may be a good opportunity to show your maturity, look at this from a different angle, or just commit to a task when assigned to it.

Personally, I've looked at my teachers actions from a psychological viewpoint (not in an academic sense, mind) for a long time, so this type of class seems the perfect opportunity to exploit various mentalities. Don't feel too subjugated, whatever the event.

No.

No.

Also: no.

Hanlon's Razor tells us that we should never rationalize something as intentionally evil when it can equally easily be explained by stupidity or incompetence. Tie that into Occam's Razor: when presented with two answers to a question, the answer that requires the fewest departures from the norm is usually the correct one.

Consider the situation at hand: the teacher has singled out one student, accused him of racism, and then assigned him, and only him, a paper in which he must indirectly apologize for being racist.

Now, consider the two conflicting explanations: yours, which calls for the teacher to A) be faking outrage B) be knowingly making a false accusation against a student C) be doing A and B while also assigning a single student additional work without due cause, and D) believes A-C to be worth the valuable lesson that she has orchestrated for the student to learn.

Or, alternatively, mine, which only requires that the teacher is irrational and bad at her job.

Never assume brilliance when stupidity is far, far more likely, mate.

 

[SovietX]

Just say it's preference not prejudice.

You are not racist, your just a regular human being who likes some things more than others.

NORMAL

 

[Char-Nobyl]

snip

Look, man, I've already responded, but I cannot stress this enough: DO NOT WRITE THAT PAPER.

I don't normally resort to caps, but I think this merits it. That paper is as concrete an admission of guilt as a signed confession. Go to whoever you can higher up the chain of command, but do not write that damn paper. Not just because it's a waste of your time, but because it's exactly what she wants you to do. The police don't care if you "ironically" sign a written confession or make witty remarks as you do it, and I doubt she'll even read your paper. She just wants you to present evidence that you wasted your own time proving her accusations right.

Whew. Sorry 'bout that. I'm actually getting riled up over this. That's a rare thing.

Honestly if the term 'coloured people' is racist, then what terms are you supposed to use?

*sigh* I'm barely even sure myself. I've long-since concluded that someone will get offended no matter what presumably politically-correct term you use, so just pick one that you don't hear getting screamed by racists, and you'll be fine.

 

[Whateveralot]

First things first. It's psychology. Psychology works this way, people DO MAKE decisions based upon superficial stuff that is similar to this.

Of course, one might look upon this as racism, but she can't control what you are physically attracted to and what not. She's being the least bit adult about it.

"She needs to be a woman" is equally sexist. But somehow acceptable. "She needs to have a pale skin", does also cancel out black people, but also a bunch of white people. Still, this is accepted.

They can't just force you to hide from sexual preference simply because you're not attracted to it. Like I said, it's not racism, it's psychology. Your teacher needs to become less sensitive about it.

Don't write it, file a complaint to the school and see where that gets you.