Not all Romans

[AskBasil]

The Romans built the first roads in Britain.

But not all Romans

The Vikings built ships which sailed as far as America.

Not all Vikings.

Rabbits are known for reproducing really quickly.

Not all Rabbits.

Etc. etc. I think I will add "not all" whenever anyone refers to anything ever, until people stop saying Not All Men as a first response to a class analysis of men's behaviour.

I am happy to apologise for what I said a mere 6 years ago. At least I have kept my name and not hidden behind a series of name changes.

Your graceful apology does you great credit.

"At least I have kept my name and not hidden behind a series of name changes."

Name changing is common on MN and more posters than not do it, I'd say, Why use such a weaselly phrase?

Yonic,

Guess what? This is not a court of law where you get to throw choice pieces of my posts back at me and expect me to answer questions on them?

Shall I dredge back 6 years to see how many of your posts have either been rude, inappropriate or even deleted due to being personal attacks?

Sure, think I've had one post deleted because it quoted another post that got deleted. Knock yourself out, dear.

abbie yes I have always wondered about the exam / coursework boy / girl received wisdom as well. Anecdotally I know plenty of women who are better at exams than coursework. Interesting isn't it.

Guess what? This is not a court of law - both admires and fears that sense of innocence and naivety.

It was because you said you worked with girls in science larry and I remembered that. Yes it was a long time ago and water under the bridge and so forth but the fact I remembered it shows how much it upset me at the time. I just found it a bit rich that you were talking about reasons girls don't get on in science as if from an expert, sympathetic standpoint when I had that in the back of my brain.

This hiding behind namechanges thing - many MN posters namechange regularly for a number of reasons, to do with things like concern about being identified IRL, posting on a personal topic, or just fancying a change every so often. I'm not sure what you're implying with the hiding stuff, really.

Going back to the original post on this thread, DD is watching a documentary about Greek cities. The presenter just described the original democracy as "Of the people, by the people and for the people"

I've had great fun pointing out to her that "people" in this context is actually only men, Greek, and not slaves. "So not hugely different than now" was her comment. I'm so proud, she's just 13 and already aware that women are not automatically regarded as 'people'.

I think he's saying that, although he has nominally apologised, he'd like to muddy and minimise that as far as possible by questioning tangential aspects of your actions.

Ha, well put slug

Whirlpool,

'It was because you said you worked with girls in science larry and I remembered that. Yes it was a long time ago and water under the bridge and so forth but the fact I remembered it shows how much it upset me at the time. I just found it a bit rich that you were talking about reasons girls don't get on in science as if from an expert, sympathetic standpoint when I had that in the back of my brain.'

I wasn't in education then and there has been much water under the bridge since then (as well as thought, training etc). As I said, it was crass and I would never say it now.

I still think digging out 6 year old posts to illustrate someone's perspective is a bit below the belt. However, if you still feel upset by it, I once again reiterate my apology to you.

However, I am not going to slink off with my head under my tail and never post again because of it. If I feel that I have something to contribute to a debate, I will make a contribution.

I am not asking you to slink off.

Maybe a line can be drawn under this, then.

I am sorry for the derail everyone.

It was a useful illustration, Whirlpool. No need for apologies from you.

I still think digging out 6 year old posts to illustrate someone's perspective is a bit below the belt.

People remember the hurt Larry. It wasn't dragged out like a suitcase...

I can't believe you - as a teacher - don't understand that. Would you say it to a student?

Below the belt? I only hope in six years you can look back and recognise the crass and twattish things you are saying now.

Doreen,

Would I say what to a student? I always tell students that both pupils and teachers are human and that they have to understand that someone is not defined by what is said in the heat of the moment. I also teach them that an adult discussion often elicits an apology and that going in all guns blazing is rarely the best policy.

I am not going to defend myself professionally, however, to this board. I am regularly observed professionally and respect both to and from the pupils is considered one of my strongest points (the other being subject knowledge).

I have plenty of weak points to, before I am accused (once again) of hubris.

I still think digging out 6 year old posts to illustrate someone's perspective is a bit below the belt.

Depends very much on whether the poster's perspective has changed much in the intervening years really, doesn't it? And, let's face it Larry, yours really hasn't, or at least if it has, there's been no evidence of that change of perspective, which amounts to the same thing.

Plays and Flora,

I think those comments constitute personal attacks. I am not engaging. I suspect many people would recognise that my perspective has changed quite dramatically over the six years. If not, they are judging based on the poster and not the posts.

In any event, I hardly post here now. The last week has been a bit of an exception. When term starts, I will be gone again.

However, I do actually use a lot I read on here to discuss with the students. So, thanks for the info, if not the tone or judgment!

You know where the report button is if you think you've been subject to personal attack, larry.

Shall I dredge back 6 years to see how many of your posts have either been rude, inappropriate or even deleted due to being personal attacks?

It was sexist. It wasn't a bit rude. It defamed a whole class of people who are already held back in STEM.

You get your spiderman underoos in a twist when we dare discuss menwhile talking about feminism and the oppression by men (in things like STEM). I'd say the hypocrisy was shocking but I've seen your posts before, so I'd be a liar.

I hardly post here now

You believe that don't you?

Would I say what to a student?

*>Brilliant advert for female science!

Jeff,

Check the number of posts I have made over the last year. Not that many.
Maybe 5% of the average regular poster.

But, really, how can you talk about sexism with that derogatory nickname that you have chosen for yourself? Now imagine a male poster with a similarly contrived name about parts of the female anatomy, and imagine how you would react?

Is it not OK to judge on the poster, if you have "known" them for ages?

There are loads of people who I "know" and have preconceived ideas about what sort of opinions they will have, whether I generally agree with them or not, whether they have a load of specialist info about a certain type of topic, that sort of thing. I understand the idea around challenging someone's words rather than personally attacking them, but I certainly don't give someone a "clean slate" if I "know them" quite well, I mean that's human nature isn't it?

I suppose it would be an interesting experiment to namechange and post a bit the same as usual and see if you got a different reaction / if after a while you started to get the same reactions / that sort of thing.