VOL. XVII, NO. 3
OCTOBER 24, 1975
Open Column
Prejudice Cited In Maine Halls
Prejudice Cited In Maine Halls
By ALICE BARTZ
Prejudice, one of the strongest emotions known to man, could be the cause of many so called outcasts from society. This feeling must be learned from others; it is not an instinct. Even at Maine West prejudice that breeds loneliness among certain students, and loneliness is one of the most prevalent of the emotions in today's society.
I am sure every student at our school knows at least one person who has a label such as red neck or fag. Here is one example of prejudice in a typical classroom. A freshman boy name Bob stutters quite a bit, and he was assigned to give a short speech in his English class. Getting up in front of the class made him nervous, and his speech impediment became more noticeable. As he gave his speech, his fellow classmates and friends broke out in small bursts of laughter every time his speech faltered.
Prejudice, one of the strongest emotions known to man, could be the cause of many so called outcasts from society. This feeling must be learned from others; it is not an instinct. Even at Maine West prejudice that breeds loneliness among certain students, and loneliness is one of the most prevalent of the emotions in today's society.
I am sure every student at our school knows at least one person who has a label such as red neck or fag. Here is one example of prejudice in a typical classroom. A freshman boy name Bob stutters quite a bit, and he was assigned to give a short speech in his English class. Getting up in front of the class made him nervous, and his speech impediment became more noticeable. As he gave his speech, his fellow classmates and friends broke out in small bursts of laughter every time his speech faltered.
The result of this one episode was that the boy became extremely embarrassed, and he remained depressed the whole day. This was not the end of that small incident, though. The following days, Bob was continually teased about his speech.
How many times have you seen a person at school and said, 'What a dog! Talk about a fag, look at that! or Hey, red neck!"
All I am trying to get across to you is that we should accept people for what they are, not what we think they should be. We should not be so quick to judge others, since no one is perfect. This school could profit by students honestly trying to understand each other. Fellowship is the key word to the harmonious atmosphere among people - that everyone should try to achieve.
How many times have you seen a person at school and said, 'What a dog! Talk about a fag, look at that! or Hey, red neck!"
All I am trying to get across to you is that we should accept people for what they are, not what we think they should be. We should not be so quick to judge others, since no one is perfect. This school could profit by students honestly trying to understand each other. Fellowship is the key word to the harmonious atmosphere among people - that everyone should try to achieve.
