Grades, Opinions, and Censorship

I got a B+ on my latest revised paper.
I'll take it.

But I am even more excited about the fact that this paper was returned to me minus the 4 pages of scathing criticism. Wahoo!

And better than that, written below the B+ was written, "A big improvement. thank you! midterm course average 92 = A-

An A-.
How? Everything I've submitted has come back with a B or a C grade on it, along with pages and pages of "this was almost very good", and "if you tried a little harder and did some work, this could be an A paper", and "I don't like your opinion. Fix it."

I'm sort of hating this class.
Mostly because I'm not getting an A on every assignment I hand in. I'm not too proud to admit that. I am, however, proud enough to not like a class because I'm not getting an A. I can't help it. It's the "Monica" in me.

Only 4 more weeks of this borning class that reminds me that I'm not as awesome as I think I am, then a Communications class, then any 1 credit online class from BSU that I choose, and then I'll be done. I can endure 4 more weeks..especially now that I (miraculously have a A-!)

I sort of wanted to return the stupid paper to him and point out that he should capitalize the first letter in new sentences (because that's the type of thing that 5 points would be docked for, if found on anything a student submitted), but I'm still not really sure how I am pulling an A (or even a B) in this class. So, instead, I'll take my mystery A- and shut up.

Starting ....now.

Last night, I did something ...brave.
My teacher went off on a tangent, telling stories about the life of a woman that was married to the son of an historical leader that was relevant to the unit we are studying. Basically, he was just telling "interesting" stories that we didn't really need to know, but he found them interesting and continuted to waste our time. I was annoyed, but I'm merely a student, and who in their right might actually speaks up and says, "Excuse me, but to we really need to know all this?"

No one. Because that is rude, and stupid, students who do that do that sort of thing not stay students for long.

Well, last night, the story he was telling was actually him quoting all of the filthy, vulgar things that this woman had supposedly said. It was not relevant. It was so disgusting I can't believe it came out of his mouth, and the mental image that he painted with his (her) words was disturbing.

Now, I am no prude. Ok, maybe I'm a little prude, but I can handle a "that's what she said" type of joke, and other light sexual humor, but this was too far. It was gross and offensive and literally made me feel like leaving the room because I was uncomfortable and didn't want to hear it. But was I justified in speaking up? Can I censor a history lecture? It wasn't something we needed to hear. It was just something he had learned and was talking about, just because he found it interesting, and thought we might, too.

I could see that it was making other people uncomfortable, as well. It was like he was telling a joke, then taken it to far, to the point had stopped being funny. And the more he spoke, the worse it got.

Impulsively, I interrupted him and just blurted out, "I think this is vulgar and offensive. Do we really need to hear this?"

My voice cut a path through the room and silenced his. Everyone froze and stared at me. He thought a moment, shrugged, then answered, "No. you don't. Let's move on."

It was then, that half of the classroom jumped in with their own relieved opinions. "thank you!", "that's disgusting!", and "I wish you hadn't repeated that" "It's so disturbing I can't stop thinking about it."

He got back on track and continued with the lecture.
I might be back to horrible criticism after my little outburst, maybe not.
I don't care. I'm, unfortunatly, rarely too shy to share my strong opinion with people, and my smart mouth has stirred he pot and gotten me into enough trouble in my life that I have a deep appreciation for those who understand how and have the ability to "bridle their tongue".
This time, however, I'm glad I spoke up. He seemed to respect my (and the rest of the uncomfortable students') opinions enough to not revisit the topic.

I guess we'll see how it goes next week.
I mean, it can't be as bad as the girl who told the class that "anyone who believes in this Muslim garbage is a fool that isn't getting Saved. Don't they know about Jesus? I mean, this is just stupid and I am not writing my paper about it." three weeks ago.

I'm not that bad.
Right?

Ok really this time. I'll shut up, now. Starting....now.
No, starting...now.