Hello all,
I have used the Plotnik text in the past. I did not have any particular problem
with the discussion of brain size, however, I do have a problem with the fact
that in the study guide section for the module on intelligence the words
"nigger" and "coon" are included in the language enrichment tools section. The
purpose of this section is to help people for whom English is a second language.
These very offensive words are defined as " (slang) a black American: offensive
terms used derogatorily."
Oh yes, I am an African-American but am also an educated person who teaches at a
community college (not that that should matter in this discussion).The reason I
stopped using the text was because when I talked with the textbook author, he
clearly did not understand how offensive it was to have those words in the
language enrichment tools section of the study guide and made it clear to me
that nothing would change.
So, let me ask you this, does that mean that it is okay for a student to come
into my classroom and call me a "nigger" or a "coon." I think that the placement
of these words in the study guide sends an implicit message that it is okay to
use these words and others like them in general conversation.
