Concealed Carry Essay: Rebuttal from Teacher

[Ohioan]

My grades suffered because of my political opinions in college. My brother, who was in a lot of the same classes, told me to keep my mouth shut. But, I'd rather stand up for what I believe in rather than get an A. I can handle B's.

Then, in November 2004, the day before the election, I was a senior, taking Poli Sci 101. It was me and 125 freshmen. The Prof stands up, and says " I just want you all to know, that if Bush gets reelected, there WILL be a draft in 2005."

I about flipped out. Being a Senior, I just wanted to get the hell out, so I didn't report the guy. Wish I would've.

I'm a high school teacher, if I graded a paper like your proffesor graded yours, my butt would've been canned faster than I could say "I want my union rep!".


A fact based, non-insultave rebuttal would be the best on your part.

Then, a copy mailed to the local school newspaper, the dean, college board, etc.

I'd make a mess out of it.

But, then again, college would probably get a lot harder for you. Stand up for your beliefs, but don't forget, you just need to get a degree and get the hell out of there.

 

[Oana]

I've got to add...I really wonder about the posting of presumably "private" e-mails on a public forum. (Nothing against the OP, just a thought I had.) I know this is the Internet age, but I must admit I'd be a little irritated if one of my students - or my teacher - posted my presumably private rebuttal online.

Just a thought...

 

[jakemccoy]

Wow, what a Hillary he is. I feel sorry for you.

 

[Deer Hunter]

For those of you just tuning in, everything turned out ok. He wants to go shooting with me this summer and has even written me a letter of recomendation for my application at the university writing center.

 

[GEM]

Well, that's good.

One thought - as a prof, don't use secondary opinion sources as your main argument.

If you are doing a gun paper - cite criminological or other professional literature. If you want analyses and opinions - you can find similar reasoning in books put out by legit university presses - like Oxford or NYU, by scholars.

One could make a case for concealed carry by citing Kleck and mentioning his book Point Blank won the big criminology award when it was published.

 

[03Shadowbob]

No wonder America is falling so far behind the world in education. This guy is an English teacher and he can't get grammar, spelling or vocabulary right.
As far as the rebuttal, good job.

 

[fireflyfather]

Not reading this whole thing, but here's the rub: If a teaching professional grades a student on their beliefs, rather than how well they objectively support those beliefs, they are commiting a boundary violation (medical/educational/legal ethical violation...putting the professional's interests ahead of the person seeking professional help). I'm an English teacher myself, and I've worked in both secondary school and university classes.

This particular guy sounds like a complete tool. I would raise the issue of him lowering your grade based on his personal political/moral beliefs. I would state it bluntly but without rancor. I would remind him that you DID use factual evidence to support your claims, simply facts that he finds inconvenient to his worldview. I would not elaborate on that statement, but it does need to be said. If he refuses to make an allowance for this, I would bring it up with the Dean of students/ombudsman, or whatever student recourse is available to you. Otherwise this guy is going to pick on other students he doesn't agree with in the future. I've had to take stands on similar things before, and it can be done, if you approach it right. Don't try to refute his WORLDVIEW. Simply make the point that it is inappropriate for him to impose his worldview on you in a professional setting. He has made claims CONCERNING THE QUALITY OF YOUR WORK that are obviously untrue. Contest him on that point. Stick up for yourself there where he is CLEARLY in the wrong. Arguing gun control with him or involving the university on a free speech issue is not worth your time. You will never convince someone like him. All you can do is give him enough pushback that he won't trample on your rights.

 

[JohnL2]

Geez, writing about guns or the 2nd amendment in college is just asking for trouble.
And if you are former military, DO NOT for the love of God write or discuss about it. They just don't get it.
Keep it to yourself.