An assignment by the University of New Hampshire has drawn criticism after asking students to call out those they believe use racist and other offensive types of language.
QUICK FACTS:
- The University of New Hampshire assigned students an activity that would call out real-world examples of “hate” speech according to Post Millennial.
- Included in the assignment were the instructions to “call in someone on their ableist, racist or homophobic use of language,” according to a screenshot of the assignment.
- Students were also allowed to zero in on acts of microaggressions toward any person of color, LGBTQ, or those who are disabled.
- The assignment has been making the rounds on social media, including Twitter where the Libs of Tik Tok account published a photo of the assignment.
- Specifically excluded from the assignment were issues of gender. Students were encouraged to talk to university staff if they had questions about that issue.
WHAT THE ASSIGNMENT SAID:
- The assignment was shown to be worth 10% of the total grade, and asked students to “call in someone on their ableist racist or homophonic use of language, for microaggressions (or an act of racism) towards a person of color, homophone against LGBTQI+ or ableism against a disabled person.”
- “Do your calling out in a safe way. Provide a brief orthographic (just in word, no symbols) transcript of what was said AND of your callout.”
- The assignment also recommended that the student knows that their targets likely “mean well and are a good person. That you care about them and that is why you care that they are expressing their real values, not essentially being hurtful.”
- Students were also prompted to offer new ways for a person to say their offensive comments.
BACKGROUND:
- Someone familiar with the issue told The Post Millennial that the assignment was an “eyebrow raiser” and that it was offered the first week of classes for the semester.
- The course is an introductory communication class for social interaction, taught by professor Edward Reynolds.
- The entire assignment can be accessed through Campus Reform.
