Another bubble
Re: One bubble in a boiling cauldron. Rex Murphy, Nov. 25 Rex Murphy’s editorial hit home. My son is another bubble in the same cauldron. As a student at the University of British Columbia, we’ve heard accounts of shaming and rebukes by professors and classmates when he offers an opinion on almost any “taboo” topic and nearly every topic is now taboo.
When my son (an agnostic) suggested that baptizing First Nations chiefs before execution could be seen as a gesture of respect, he was threatened with expulsion from the class. Routinely, it’s the essay content, not the grammar, that is highlighted with sharp underlining and exclamation points when his posits don’t align with those of his politically correct professor.
Previously, we encouraged him to confront these situations, but we learned that confrontation leads to ostracism and retaliation (lower grades) from his classmates and professors. The “safe spaces” at UBC, for non- white, non- male students, might soon need to be taken over by the people they seek to exclude.
Previously, he enthusiastically engaged in classroom debates and discussions. Now he remains silent. My son feels like a pariah when sharing his opinions at UBC. Diane McIntosh, Vancouver, B. C.