Classroom Hostility

Lydia Szajko,

I had the unfortunate experience of having a different opinion than Toney Merritt in class on Tuesday. After viewing a documentary film, I politely began a critical statement of opinion about the film. Toney interrupted with "No, No, No,..." and addressed the opposite side of the room. After another student stated a point in the direction of my argument, I spoke again. "No, No, No,..." I spoke again. "No, No, No,...". I said "Toney, may I complete my statement without interruption." I spoke briefly. "No, No, No,..." Accepting my current opinion that Toney doesn't appreciate a difference of opinion, I became quiet, and intended to remain so. He interrupted someone else, and I said quietly to the student beside me "At least I'm not the only one he does it to." Toney: "I'm sorry, Wyatt, what did you say?" I looked at the ground, shocked and horrified. Toney stops class when distracted by ongoing conversation (as he should), but I've never noticed him stopping class because of a solitary statement. My statement was not meant to be heard by anyone other than the student beside me. It was not my intention to be passive/aggressive. I had been verbally reprimanded in front of the entire classroom, at least three times, for the simple act of having a politely stated opinion. I was venting in a manner that seemed appropriate to me. I could have lied, but that's something I seldom find myself capable of. I raised my head. "I don't see the point of you forcing me to repeat this in front of the class, but..." I repeated myself and continued "...I mean you just did it again right here in front of us." My memory of our words is a bit jumbled at the moment, but I will shortly give you a list of his insults, slightly paraphrased, and possibly nonlinear, but otherwise accurate in perceived impact. I remained critical, with only a slight increase in volume, and complete avoidance of slurs and vulgarities. I eventually stated that It was clear that he had no interest in my opinion and I was finished. And I was finished. And I was quiet. And Toney didn't like the way I was sitting. He interrupted class once again to tell me that I could leave if I wanted to. I said "I'm sitting here quietly, I'm done talking, can't we just be done with this." He told me he understood body language. I told him that "after having just been insulted by you, in your classroom, you can't expect me to sit here with the psychical appearance of someone who has just achieved nirvana. I am done with this conversation, please teach your class and be done with it as well. Why do you insist on forcing me back into this argument?"

These are some of the things he said to me:

"You clearly watched a different movie", insinuating that it was not possible to have a negative opinion of what he had just seen, and interrupting me mid-example, a referential example, proving, as if it wasn't already obvious, that I was, in fact, in his class room, watching the same movie. This statement also supports the abusive concept of right vs. wrong.

"I do have the right to remove a student for disrupting class". I made no disruption. I stated an opinion. This is a baseless threat.

"You don't know every thing about it." In context this suggests that because I didn't work on the film my statements that at least once included the phrase: "according to my perception of what I saw on the screen" are invalid.

I don't remember everything else that was said. But, among the things that Toney did NOT say is anything to the effect of "this conversation is over". I made similar statements and I shut up. He, as I mentioned before, directly addressed me, forcing me back into the conversation, at least twice.

Also, in the hallway, after class, I was speaking to other students about the issue. He approached me, aggravated and accusatory. I made a clearly stated expression of boundaries. Approximately, "This is the hallway, not your classroom, stay away from me unless you intend to apologize". In my face, he told me that he would not apologize. I, walking away, stated that he would apologize in writing and proceeded to your office. I realize, of course, this may not happen.

At some point he told me that if I didn't like the class, I could leave, and that other people taught the same class. The thing is that I don't want to leave. I have a report with the other students. I have a schedule that compensates for Tuesday night, but not necessarily any other time that the class might be available. Most importantly, I don't think my life should be further impacted by his personal assault.

He accused me of disrespecting him, I informed him that it takes a twisted logic to accuse someone of being disrespectful simply because that person chooses to be verbal about your disrespect toward them. Some might think that asking permission to finish a statement is not permissible of a student in a classroom. I disagree, and regardless, that is my only offense. Beyond that point, I only addressed the way I felt at the precise moment because when I chose to be quiet he refused to accept my more than appropriate decision to be so, by directly addressing me and the issue in class, on stage, abusing his authority, in front of a captive audience who have completely incompatible reasons for being there. I can only understand this by assuming that he has placed some ridicules amount of his self worth in a friends project and that he chose to view my healthy critique of a film, presumably shown in his class for that purpose, as a personal assault. But, any teacher, who for any reason, refuses to hear a students difference of opinion, should question there position, and there motivations.

I decided not to take this personally as it was happening. I never thought to myself, "why is he doing this to me?" I only asked "why is he doing this to his students and why is he here?" A student told me after class, that he realised the first or second day of class, that his opinion would not be recognised or appreciated in Toney's classroom, and has therefore, chosen not to state his opinion in Mr. Merritt's class. Above all else, this is the one thing a student should never say about any teacher, and it is seldom the fault of the student who says it.

I do not want a personal apology of any sort. I want a written apology on file and read to the class, specifically responding to my accusation (with which many students agree) that Mr. Merritt actively refuses a difference of opinion in his classroom, to the point that he is willing make himself look completely unprofessional, aggressive, pompous and rude.

Always with the utmost sincerity,

Roy Wyatt Batty