It's hard to turn on the news these days or go on social media without hearing about social justice issues: from the battle for SOGI 123 in schools, to hate-driven attacks on mosques, schools and night clubs, to demonstrations for indigenous rights. These arguments and events rarely lead anywhere. Change is slow to come and always seems to leave someone upset and feeling left out of the conversation.
Many of us, myself included, have difficulties listening to opinions on social justice issues that differ from our own. You may be familiar with Karl Popper's "Paradox of Tolerance" Popper is quoted in Mohamed Farija's Deconstructing Karl Popper's Paradox of Intolerance as describing the Paradox of Tolerance thusly: "Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them."
Intolerant opinions and beliefs, when tolerated, can lead to the loss of tolerance in a society. Often, our response is to shut our ears to opinions we consider intolerant and quiet those sharing these ideas. So is it really that surprising that those who hold intolerant beliefs also shut their ears and refuse to listen to opposing arguments?
In Danielle McLaughlin's The King of Denmark and the Naked Mole Rat: Teaching Critical Thinking for Social Justice, the author makes a case for why we need to be able to listen to all sides of an argument, even those we consider distasteful. Making sure minority groups have had a voice is what has allowed us to move forward with social justice as a society. As McLaughlin says: "Democracy does not, in fact, depend solely upon the rule of the majority; it depends upon the understanding that the majority should be subject to questions and that minority values and views will be tolerated where they do not cause significant harm." If we are a part of the majority, it is our duty to make sure that minority voices are heard and considered. Everyone should seek out opposing opinions and beliefs and truly consider them. We need to listen to one another.
When we shut a group of people down, there is a chance they will become more insular and retreat into their own echo chambers where they feed of of one another's opinions. They can feel like martyrs being looked down on by society if they are not listened to. This has happened in many subcultures; one of the most noteworthy today is those know as "incels" (involuntary celibates). The same thing happens with conspiracy theorists. When you don't take them seriously, they will turn to one another for support and feed off of each other's beliefs. An example of this is explored in the documentary Behind the Curve, in which Flat Earthers, or those who believe there is a conspiracy to convince us the earth is round, describe how they are attacked by society and have lost friends over their beliefs. They turn to each other for support and dive deeper and deeper into their beliefs.
It is our wish, as those with the majority opinions in society, that those who hold such toxic beliefs will listen and take in what we have to say to change their beliefs. But can we really expect them to do so when we are not prepared to listen to them? This does not mean that we need to give all beliefs equal footing. As McLaughlan says: "We must invite disagreement, but also acknowledge that all points of view are not equally valid or justifiable," which is a difficult balancing act indeed.
Some arguments may be quite clear who is in the "right". The evidence is overwhelming that the Earth is round, and no Nazis should not be allowed to harm people of colour. Other topics are more complicated and difficult to reach consensus on. McLaughlin gives the example of reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with children. Some argue that the use of the "n" word is inappropriate and the book should either be filtered or not taught at all. Others believe that the book is a part of our history and can be used to teach about our past and used to teach critical thinking. Who is right in this context?
When issues are complex, we need to make sure all points of view are considered. "If we find everyone to be in agreement, if we quickly find a consensus, we should acknowledge that someone must be missing. Whose voice is not being heard?" We can't simply brush aside minority perspectives - they need to be heard and considered. Every choice will have consequences and we need to understand all the possible consequences before making a decision on controversial topics.
Teaching this type of open-minded conversation in classes can seem daunting. Many go for a one-size-fits-all method of teaching social justice: Nazis bad, food drives good. But this ignores the heterogeneous nature of our students. McLaughlan gives the example of a food drive in a classroom and how it ignores the presence of students in our schools who themselves rely on the food bank. Are they to give a tin of food only to have it come right back to them days later? These types of activities can make it seem like all the students come from a similar background of economic stability, and that those who need help are far away and abstract.
There are many struggles in bringing these conversations into the classroom. Many students may be reluctant to share their family situations or opinions into the classroom. Some opinions may be distasteful to discuss with our students and can lead to difficult conversations. However, we as teachers need to lead by example and show our willingness to question our own beliefs and listen to those who disagree with us. We will teach our students critical thinking and likely learn a thing or two along the way.
Citations:
Beauchamp, Z. (Apr 23, 2019). Our Incel Problem: How a support group for the dateless became one of the internet's most dangerous subcultures. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/4/16/18287446/incel-definition-reddit
Farija, M. (2020). Deconstruction Karl Popper's Paradox of Intolerance. Retrieved from https://www.politicalanimalmagazine.com/2017/11/22/deconstructing-karl-poppers-paradox-of-intolerance/
Film Threat (Nov 12, 2018). BEHIND THE CURVE | Official HD Trailer (2018) | DOCUMENTARY | Film Threat Trailers. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDkWt4Rl-ns
McLaughlin, D. (Jan 5, 2012). The King of Denmark and the Naked Mole Rat: Teaching Critical Thinking for Social Justice. Retrieved from https://www.edcan.ca/articles/the-king-of-denmark-and-the-naked-mole-rat-teaching-critical-thinking-for-social-justice/
Twain, M. (2002). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Penguin Classics
Many of us, myself included, have difficulties listening to opinions on social justice issues that differ from our own. You may be familiar with Karl Popper's "Paradox of Tolerance" Popper is quoted in Mohamed Farija's Deconstructing Karl Popper's Paradox of Intolerance as describing the Paradox of Tolerance thusly: "Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them."
 |
| The Paradox of Tolerance. Comic care of The Open Society and It's Enemies. |
Intolerant opinions and beliefs, when tolerated, can lead to the loss of tolerance in a society. Often, our response is to shut our ears to opinions we consider intolerant and quiet those sharing these ideas. So is it really that surprising that those who hold intolerant beliefs also shut their ears and refuse to listen to opposing arguments?
In Danielle McLaughlin's The King of Denmark and the Naked Mole Rat: Teaching Critical Thinking for Social Justice, the author makes a case for why we need to be able to listen to all sides of an argument, even those we consider distasteful. Making sure minority groups have had a voice is what has allowed us to move forward with social justice as a society. As McLaughlin says: "Democracy does not, in fact, depend solely upon the rule of the majority; it depends upon the understanding that the majority should be subject to questions and that minority values and views will be tolerated where they do not cause significant harm." If we are a part of the majority, it is our duty to make sure that minority voices are heard and considered. Everyone should seek out opposing opinions and beliefs and truly consider them. We need to listen to one another.
When we shut a group of people down, there is a chance they will become more insular and retreat into their own echo chambers where they feed of of one another's opinions. They can feel like martyrs being looked down on by society if they are not listened to. This has happened in many subcultures; one of the most noteworthy today is those know as "incels" (involuntary celibates). The same thing happens with conspiracy theorists. When you don't take them seriously, they will turn to one another for support and feed off of each other's beliefs. An example of this is explored in the documentary Behind the Curve, in which Flat Earthers, or those who believe there is a conspiracy to convince us the earth is round, describe how they are attacked by society and have lost friends over their beliefs. They turn to each other for support and dive deeper and deeper into their beliefs.
It is our wish, as those with the majority opinions in society, that those who hold such toxic beliefs will listen and take in what we have to say to change their beliefs. But can we really expect them to do so when we are not prepared to listen to them? This does not mean that we need to give all beliefs equal footing. As McLaughlan says: "We must invite disagreement, but also acknowledge that all points of view are not equally valid or justifiable," which is a difficult balancing act indeed.
Some arguments may be quite clear who is in the "right". The evidence is overwhelming that the Earth is round, and no Nazis should not be allowed to harm people of colour. Other topics are more complicated and difficult to reach consensus on. McLaughlin gives the example of reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with children. Some argue that the use of the "n" word is inappropriate and the book should either be filtered or not taught at all. Others believe that the book is a part of our history and can be used to teach about our past and used to teach critical thinking. Who is right in this context?
 |
| The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Image care of Kobo. |
When issues are complex, we need to make sure all points of view are considered. "If we find everyone to be in agreement, if we quickly find a consensus, we should acknowledge that someone must be missing. Whose voice is not being heard?" We can't simply brush aside minority perspectives - they need to be heard and considered. Every choice will have consequences and we need to understand all the possible consequences before making a decision on controversial topics.
Teaching this type of open-minded conversation in classes can seem daunting. Many go for a one-size-fits-all method of teaching social justice: Nazis bad, food drives good. But this ignores the heterogeneous nature of our students. McLaughlan gives the example of a food drive in a classroom and how it ignores the presence of students in our schools who themselves rely on the food bank. Are they to give a tin of food only to have it come right back to them days later? These types of activities can make it seem like all the students come from a similar background of economic stability, and that those who need help are far away and abstract.
There are many struggles in bringing these conversations into the classroom. Many students may be reluctant to share their family situations or opinions into the classroom. Some opinions may be distasteful to discuss with our students and can lead to difficult conversations. However, we as teachers need to lead by example and show our willingness to question our own beliefs and listen to those who disagree with us. We will teach our students critical thinking and likely learn a thing or two along the way.
Citations:
Beauchamp, Z. (Apr 23, 2019). Our Incel Problem: How a support group for the dateless became one of the internet's most dangerous subcultures. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/4/16/18287446/incel-definition-reddit
Farija, M. (2020). Deconstruction Karl Popper's Paradox of Intolerance. Retrieved from https://www.politicalanimalmagazine.com/2017/11/22/deconstructing-karl-poppers-paradox-of-intolerance/
Film Threat (Nov 12, 2018). BEHIND THE CURVE | Official HD Trailer (2018) | DOCUMENTARY | Film Threat Trailers. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDkWt4Rl-ns
McLaughlin, D. (Jan 5, 2012). The King of Denmark and the Naked Mole Rat: Teaching Critical Thinking for Social Justice. Retrieved from https://www.edcan.ca/articles/the-king-of-denmark-and-the-naked-mole-rat-teaching-critical-thinking-for-social-justice/
Twain, M. (2002). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Penguin Classics
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