College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
If you're a deadbeat graduate student like me, or a college undergrad, you're probably either finishing your finals or getting your final grades. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to experience what I call, "the conservative tax on college grades."
For example, I just received a final grade in a graduate level course and ... I got a B. Graduate grades range as follows: A = satisfactory, B = you pass but I don't like you, and C = you fail and have to take this class over. In my class I got a B, although I'm fairly certain that my grades warranted an A. Needless to say, there is some leeway in graduate grading in which relationships, professorial mood dis regulation, politics, and a whole host of other subjective criteria have influence.
My first day in this class, my professor boldly proclaimed, "psychology is a profession for liberals." Fair enough, at least they were honest enough to say it out loud instead of subversively putting that opinion into practice in our daily classes. Instead, everything was overtly liberal and obnoxious, instead of subversively so... come to think of it, I'm not sure which I would rather have.
Throughout the semester, I would be the only one arguing for natural law, reason, conservatism, limited government and, to my mind, sanity.
I felt like saying this to my professor, about 5 times per day:
Things came to a head on the second to last day of class when our professor was talking about how sexual harassment is basically akin to murder. One of the students remarked, "ummm yeahhh, Herman Cain much?" Everyone chuckled and smirked, but I replied, "Yeah, or Bill Clinton right, the most popular sexual harasser in modern times?"
Well, needless to say, libbie mc lib lib professor did not like this, nor did the future liberalites. There was much harrumphing, sighing, and rolling of the eyes... but no response. At any rate it, it was just one of many instances where I probably should've kept my mouth shut.
Or should I? Should we stand up for conservatism and sanity, even in an insane world where we will be penalized for doing so? If this is a martyrdom, it's got to be the lamest form of martyrdom there is. It's not quite white martyrdom, maybe clear or translucent martyrdom. I once heard an Uncommon Knoledge with Thomas Sowell where he and Peter spoke about how there are certain people who, despite their wealth or power, never really speak up on what they believe. There are others who can really not afford to speak out, like portly, bearded grad students, who none-the-less do.
Anyway, if you're an outspoken conservative in a college classroom, expect that at least 10% of your grade will have to be paid to the liberal PC heathen gods to appease their unquenchable appetite for misery. It's a grade tax on conservatives. But fear not, you have found favor with those of us here on Ricochet! Be not afraid to wear your B's and C's as badges of honor! For you are not counted among those timid souls that knew neither victory nor defeat, no! You are a loudmouth conservative and your classmates probably hate you.
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May '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
I got a B instead of an A in a class because I kept challenging the teacher on the science of her psychodynamic theories. I'd say "where is the research" and of course, there would be none. Somehow my rampant behaviorism was a problem for her.
Jun '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
I guess that's her attempt at negative reinforcement.... Thank you, I'm here all week!
Jun '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Or maybe you really hate your father? I suggest 56 weeks of therapy to find out, 80 dollars an hour. Sound good?
Edited on Dec 20, 2011 at 7:50amFeb '11
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Samwise Gamgee
Or maybe you really hate your father? I suggest 56 weeks of therapy to find out, 80 dollars an hour. Sound good? · Dec 20 at 7:49am
Edited on Dec 20 at 07:50 am
You found a shrink for only $80 an hour????
Mar '11
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Who said it was a shrink? I recommend my Uncle Ed.
Aug '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Thank God I earned my MBA in the South - an outspoken 4.0.
Aug '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
I would ask why there were discussions of politics in a psychology class, however, I already know the answer.
I find the proclamation that psychology is a liberal profession to be as offensive as a proclamation that it is a Caucasian profession, or a Jewish profession, or a female profession.
Yet another reminder that "diversity" does not include diversity of thought, opinion, or worldview. And sexual harrassment rules do not apply to liberals. (See Gloria Steinem's "One Free Grope" rule--a better example of hypocrisy it would be hard to find.)
In graduate school I once had an experience opposite to the one you describe. A finance course was taught by an excellent professor (he had written the textbook we used) who found it necessary to interject his conservative views where they didn't belong. While I agreed with him and found his opinions entertaining, they were inappropriate, and most of the class didn't want to hear them. What should a conservative do in a case like this? (I got an "A", by the way.)
Sep '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Disgusting. I'm faculty and I would never make students feel uncomfortable because of their politics, let alone lower their grades for disagreeing with me.
Isn't there a whole sub-industry of university administrators ostensibly devoted to making sure that there isn't a "chilling atmosphere" in classrooms? Granted, it's really intended to promote "diversity" (which means liberal politics) but still, I think you may have a case to bring before them. Unfortunately, the faculty member may then retaliate; but at this point it might be worth it. But it's your life and you have to weigh the risks against the benefits, which are probably low.
Have you considered transferring? It sounds as if the faculty will make sure you don't get a PhD there.
May '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
It seems fitting that I watched High Noon last night.
Yes.
It's important to show we are unafraid because we are confident in our beliefs. It's important to make mistaken or cowardly people face up to the weak foundation which cages them and hurts others.
But hearts and minds are more often won in one-on-one conversations. In a group of their peers, people are too proud to change their minds and too rushed to consider deeply everything being said.
Also, there's limited time in a classroom environment. The class has a schedule to keep, and always too much information to squeeze into that schedule.
Jun '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
dogsbody: Disgusting.....
Have you considered transferring? It sounds as if the faculty will make sure you don't get a PhD there. · Dec 20 at 8:57am
The faculty member in question is firmly entrenched in the department and long tenured, so any complaints would likely do nothing. They might actually get the prof an award...
As an undergrad (level 1 slave to the man) I went to the dean for a similar problem. The dean "disciplined" the professor with a light slap on the wrist and she was weird to me the for the rest of the semester. Very ineffective. But it did teach me the valuable lesson that complaining to the higher level liberal stooges about the lower level liberal stooges isn't likely to result in any semblance of justice.
Psychology has increasingly become a "profession for liberals" - most evidently in therapy settings. For example, we are now entering a time when the only type of therapy to be used with homosexual clients is affirming therapy (read: affirming homosexual practice and lifestyle). Anything else is bigoted and insensitive. So, it will soon be an interesting experiment to pit the multicultural values against the tyrannical left wing values.
Edited on Dec 20, 2011 at 12:42pmJun '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Samwise Gamgee
dogsbody: Disgusting.....
Have you considered transferring? It sounds as if the faculty will make sure you don't get a PhD there. · Dec 20 at 8:57am
The faculty member in question is firmly entrenched in the department and long tenured, so any complaints would likely do nothing. They might actually get the prof an award...
As an undergrad (level 1 slave to the man) I went to the dean for a similar problem. The dean "disciplined" the professor with a light slap on the wrist and she was weird to me the for the rest of the semester. Very ineffective. But it did teach me the valuable lesson that complaining to the higher level liberal stooges about the lower level liberal stooges isn't likely to result in any semblance of justice......
As a level 1 slave, you're obviously being graded on your obedience and your groveling skills. No wonder you're falling behind.
Dec '11
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
One friend of mine was assigned a essay once that the subject was supposed to be "What has George W Bush done wrong?" so he turned in a blank sheet, and got a A once he spoke with the chair of the department. The Professor was not happy about this to say the least. This was a fairly conservative southern university also... but the bleeding hearts who know what is best for you are everywhere in education to say the least.
This post makes me feel better about my undergrad gpa though... so that is good.
Apr '11
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
I feel your pain. (Hey, you started with the Clinton references.)
I took a graduate course entitled, History of American Philosophy. The class began with Thoreau, rambled past Dewey, and ended with the professor's book on Land Ethics.
What was missing? Mayflower Compact. John Winthrop. Roger WIlliams. Thomas Jefferson. Benjamin Franklin. James Madison. Charles Sanders Peirce (among the greatest American thinkers, IMHO). WIlliam James. George Santayana. W.V.O Quine (among the greatest thinkers in the world, IMHO). Richard Rorty.
With all the richness of American philosophy, the professor would deliver only the progressive strains, and the paltry ones at that. As in art, selectivity revealed intent, and an impartial survey of American philosophy was not in the cards.
I approached him after the third class, with many students listening. I asked if a free market capitalist could pass his class. After a long pause, a long genuinely thoughtful pause, he said, "Probably not."
I thanked him and promptly dropped the course. I've opposed tenure ever since.
Dec '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Speak up. Every time a liberal opens their mouth I make it my mission to make them as uncomfortable as possible as politely as possible. The fact that liberals feels so comfortable saying nonsense is irritating to me. Every time a liberal thinks about opening their mouths I want them to have to decide if nonsense they are about to spew if worth the argument and whether or not they have the facts to back them up.
Keep up the good work.
Feb '11
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Well that sucks. I was lucky enough never to be penalized for it even though I went to Howard University of all places, probably because it's hard to be political when you're in science. The closest was in a class called Black Diaspora where I was the only conservative and I basically wrote every week why I thought the professor was wrong. My essays always involved explaining just why communism is a bad idea. He still gave me an A.
The other was a class that involved going to Capitol Hill for an Woman Ambassador's conference which involved about 5 female members of the black caucus, Dennis Kucinich's wife, and Dominique Strauss Kahn. I still have my report on that meeting - incredibly sarcastic involving a defense of the IMF and Israel. I still got an A.
Looking back, I got away with a lot.
Feb '11
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
I graduated with high honors from my graduate program on Saturday, and frankly, I never once felt that my opinions, at a very liberal school, in a very liberal department, ever adversely effected my grades.
At lunch two colleagues recalled a comment I made in a seminar on multiculturalism, I addressed the following comment to the Professor after some lengthy anti-Western, anti-freedom rant in the name of "the other", "Do you have any idea that what you just said makes absolutely no sense: logically, morally, and dare I say it, even linguistically, it's just utter rubbish?"
I frankly don't remember saying this, but they assure me that I did, frankly I have little memory of what really went on during those 14 weeks, just a hazy notion of a lot of arguing...however, the professor for that class paid me the highest compliment I've ever had during my formal education, "for the first time in 20 years, someone actually made me think about why I hold some of my most cherished ideas."
If you are a student, please, speak up, but know your facts and be prepared to argue with logic, clarity, wit and reason.
May '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
In my MBA program, when someone asked why we cannot have economic expansion forever, a voice came from the back of the classroom: "Democrats!"
Jul '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
Kevin Walker: I
In graduate school I once had an experience opposite to the one you describe. A finance course was taught by an excellent professor (he had written the textbook we used) who found it necessary to interject his conservative views where they didn't belong. While I agreed with him and found his opinions entertaining, they were inappropriate, and most of the class didn't want to hear them. What should a conservative do in a case like this? (I got an "A", by the way.) · Dec 20 at 8:56am
I knew it had to be finance course. Because this jackalope only exists there. You'd be surprised where you can get the leftist tripe...in the middle of a chemistry course.
May '10
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
I always wrote in the liberal tone my professors wanted. Whether it was praising Rousseau or quoting Eric Hobsbawm, it required a lot of pride swallowing but I think it also made me a better student and conservative. I had a practice of making my opponents arguments. My writing was better and my arguments stronger than my actually liberal counterparts since I was better equipped to critique my own argument (since I didn't believe it in the first place). This may be a self-justification for cowardice but I think there is a time and place for fighting the fight. Conservatives are suppose to be, after all, prudent.
Aug '11
Re: College Grades: A Tax on Conservatives
I'm an undergraduate. I try to never give an inch, but I have to let a lot of stuff pass b/c of time considerations or it's just not worth it. In my papers I always try to convince the libs how wrong they are, but sometimes in class discussions they shock me and leave me dumbfounded. Like the time my teacher said there was no such thing as a protestant work ethic, to which I said that the Pilgrims chose a hard path, to which she said, "No, they stole land from the Indians." It's hard to argue with such willful ignorance.