Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Frustration, Anger, and Learning

Yesterday and today brought with it much anger, and a few laughs. My cadets this cycle or pretty arrogant. They are Alpha class, they have fairly decent English, and they think they are better than everyone else. The other teachers have no problem with them, but I do. I am not really good at ignoring things of this nature, though I would be much happier if I did.

Yesterday one of my students remarked that Ugandans were lazy, stupid, and only ate, slept, and went to the toilet (most of the guards here are from Uganda). I told him that I knew a couple of them that were intelligent, spoke fluent English, and were interested in Politics and World Affairs. He said it wasn't possible. I was very angry about this and told him that I could say the same thing about Arabs! He face became stern and he glared at me with a look that would have turned Medusa to stone. After a brief pause to let that sink in, I continued on, "I know it isn't true, but there are many people who believe it because they don't know any better." We talked about stereotypes and how bad they can be. At the break he explained to me that many of them treat Iraqis without respect, even if they are generals. I have a feeling there is a cultural difference about what it means to respect someone, but I didn't broach that subject at all.


Today was a day that we used mainly to just talk and waste time. We finished just about everything, and they didn't want to work. I gave them some Penguin Readers (including Crime & Punishment and Anna Karenina). They absolutely loved them. While some were reading, others of us chatted about various things. I gave them some idioms using the word 'chicken'. They decided they didn't like that because they always have chicken for lunch, and it is usually pretty badly prepared. I told them that chickens were stupid, and one of them squinted his eyes and pursed his lips and responded: "I am offended by that!You shouldn't stereotype chickens!" I couldn't actually tell that he was joking, though I was hoping he was. Touche says I, touche! A little levity to show a point well taken and creatively dished back. As obnoxious as these cadets can be, I really like my students!