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Workshop rant
Mar. 2nd, 2004 10:32 amOkay, just spent two hours commenting on workshop posts. Phew. What a talented bunch. But I think I scared some of them away. I hope people realize that I don't bite, and that I'm not arrogant teacher!bitch who knows all.
Running this workshop is an excellent exercise in didactics for me. One thing I've learnt is that I have to be more specific when I set tasks. People tend to do more than requested, instead of less. *makes mental note: tell people not to do too much.* I've also noticed that I'm afraid to step on toes.
One thing I've noticed makes me very very sad: many participants feel the need to somehow apologize for what they write. They apologize in case the style is wrong, or for being late (even if they are not), or for writing more (or less) than they think is required, -- for all kinds of things.
Now, I'm the kind of person who will put dinner on the table and tell the guests that maybe the potatoes needed another two minutes on the stove, or I apologize before the meal starts that there's probably not enough (even when afterwards there are leftovers and everybody looks thorougly stuffed). I know all about unneccessary aplogoies. Therefore, I know what I'm talking about when I say that women are brainwashed into thinking that all the ails int the world are their fault. 9/11 is probably a woman's fault too.
One of the exercises specifically requested that people should describe someone from their childhood whom they really hated or disliked. I asked for strong emotion. What struck me was the fact that several course participants felt the need to apologize for disliking someone. NEWSFLASH! It's okay to dislike someone. Do you honestly think that just because you have two X chromosomes you have to have an unlimited supply of empathy?
Is this need to apologize a meaningless reflex or a genuine expression of insecurity? Be proud, be loud! You are creative people, with brains and ambition. You are working on learning how to write better. The world is full of boring people, mean people, stupid people - who probably never apologize for being dull, nasty or dim. So, ladies, stop apologizing for being you. *hugs the whole course*
Running this workshop is an excellent exercise in didactics for me. One thing I've learnt is that I have to be more specific when I set tasks. People tend to do more than requested, instead of less. *makes mental note: tell people not to do too much.* I've also noticed that I'm afraid to step on toes.
One thing I've noticed makes me very very sad: many participants feel the need to somehow apologize for what they write. They apologize in case the style is wrong, or for being late (even if they are not), or for writing more (or less) than they think is required, -- for all kinds of things.
Now, I'm the kind of person who will put dinner on the table and tell the guests that maybe the potatoes needed another two minutes on the stove, or I apologize before the meal starts that there's probably not enough (even when afterwards there are leftovers and everybody looks thorougly stuffed). I know all about unneccessary aplogoies. Therefore, I know what I'm talking about when I say that women are brainwashed into thinking that all the ails int the world are their fault. 9/11 is probably a woman's fault too.
One of the exercises specifically requested that people should describe someone from their childhood whom they really hated or disliked. I asked for strong emotion. What struck me was the fact that several course participants felt the need to apologize for disliking someone. NEWSFLASH! It's okay to dislike someone. Do you honestly think that just because you have two X chromosomes you have to have an unlimited supply of empathy?
Is this need to apologize a meaningless reflex or a genuine expression of insecurity? Be proud, be loud! You are creative people, with brains and ambition. You are working on learning how to write better. The world is full of boring people, mean people, stupid people - who probably never apologize for being dull, nasty or dim. So, ladies, stop apologizing for being you. *hugs the whole course*
