---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 1995 13:45:46 -0700
From: clive muir <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list IABS-L <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: affirmative action
 
On Wed, 8 Nov 1995, Anthony Wilbon wrote:
> Finally, I hope the academic community is not exacerbating this discourse by
> allowing students to continue repeating the misleading, pejorative rhetoric
> used by politicians to win the vote of the majority population.  I get the
> feeling that most of the classes where these discussions take place are
> predominately white and the views of people of color are probably not
> represented. Tony.
 
This is an excellent point. I have been in classes where the professor
introduces the topic (affirmative action, multiculturalism, diversity,
etc.) but just "throws it out" to the class. In other words, many
instructors do not prepare themselves (i.e. do the necessary research)
for the topic and the expected heated debate. They often just allow
students to vent. Consequently, students often engage in repeating the
politicians' rhetoric (with one or two instigators) and nothing is resolved
because the professor come with any "data". For example, that males
still hold 95% of top management positions in corporations (are women
really taking over?) or that minorities are given preferences (why is the
white male unemployment rate less than half the minority rate?)
 
To sum, one of the best ways to prepare for the discussion is to do the
necessary homework. If that's not done then the debate is a waste of your
and the students' time!
 
clive muir
new mexico state u