Education biased by perceptions
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to Jim Lenahan’s letter from Oct. 14 and to anyone who is concerned about perceived ideological biases in higher education.
Conservatives are always saying you should take personal responsibility and pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I am saying this back to them. I have studied and taught at four colleges and universities in the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast, and GC&SU is by far the most conservative institution I’ve been at, so I am perplexed, but not surprised, that students think this is a politically liberal university.
Why does it appear this way to some folks? I will speak from my own experience. I really care about helping people, leading them to ask serious questions and to be responsible citizens. This is why I’m happy making an average U.S. household salary. I could be making much more in graphic design and advertising with the skills and contacts I have, but I’m not interested in helping corporations with their voice, limiting the way people think and perpetuating monoculture. I’m interested in helping people use media to express their own voices.
I am unconvinced that the majority of conservatives are interested in actually doing the work of education. So to me, it is outrageous when they try to tell us how to teach. Conservatives are always saying this is an equal opportunity society, so why don’t more of them join the teaching ranks themselves if it’s so important to them?
By the way, I am a liberal based on the facts, solid scholarship and a good understanding of history, but that’s another letter.
Sincerely,
Patrick Holbrook
Assistant Professor of Art (Digital Media)
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 21 2005. Filed under Opinion.
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