Triggering (SI) - Biology teacher was really insensitive
I need to write this down before I end up screaming or something.
I was in A/S human biology earlier, and we are looking at infection and microbes and stuff. Todays topic was the defence, so covering physical barriers, phagocytosis and then the immune system.
About fifteen minutes into the lesson, my teacher was talking and giving examples of how they worked etc, and then she said,
"You've all seen those kids, the wierdos who cut 'I love so-and-so into their arms', or think they're cool because they cut themselves" and as she said this she gestured cutting her arms, "well they're really risking severe septicemia."
Basically, the whole class then responded with about ten minutes of 'f*cking emos', 'attention seekers' etc, and one even said, "I hope they all get sick and die"
I was on the verge of walking out, but I've already been reported once for suspected self harm and I managed to talk my way out of it, and I couldn't risk it again. But I felt very vulnerable, and really uncomfortable, especially as there were people in that class who dislike me who know I cut.
I can't speak to her, as she is really insensitive and wouldn't listen, and there's no other teacher I could talk to. My best friend, who also SH, was there and she also said she felt really uncomfortable.
Am I being unreasonable? I mean, am I taking this too much to heart? She had no way of knowing we were there or anything...
Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind.
To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse.
To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better.
Just becuase she didn't know people in the class sh doesn't make it right. Is there anyone not a teacher you could talk to about it?
I find some of what you teach suspect
Because I'm used to relying on intellect
But I try to open up to what I don't know
Because reason says I should have died
Three years ago...
- Rent
Not being unreasonable at all, what is said is frankly sickening, there is no excuse for what she said, whether there were people in the class who si it doesn't change that what she was completely unacceptable. Rant, sorry, but no, you're completely right to feel the way you did/do.
your not being unreasonable, that was really insensitive. she obviously doesnt understand SH and has no idea whats shes talking about. She was probably trying to "act cool" with her students by bringing up some discusting joke they could all laugh about so they would like her. i find that really offensive. is there someone higher up you could mention it to, or maybe if your school is anything like mine, there are anonymous course evaluations at the end of the semesters. I cant beleive she said that, its really innapropriate, and hurtful :(
You should definitely report what happened to another teacher or your tutor or someone. You don't have to say that you SH, just explain what she said and that it is blatantly obvious people could take offence to such comments.
i guess this is just another one of those examples of how misenterpretted self harm is in society :(
what she said is horrifying, and i would feel the same way.
why would anyone make fun of someone for having problems?
the whole "attention seeking" "kill emos" thing really does bother me. it's really just another kind of prejedice. maybe the thought of people hurting themselves scares people so much that they feel the need to ridicule anyone you has that problem so they feel better about themselves.
I really dislike people who make fun of things they don't understand. I think you should report her, cos its not like she mentioned SH and one of the pupils made a joke, it was her that made the derogatory comments, which is really not on.
Hope you are ok. X
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. I know, right now you can't tell. But stay a while and maybe then you'll see A different side of me Unwell - Matchbox 20
"Why inflict pain on oneself, when so many others are ready to save us the trouble?"
George Pacaud (1879 - 1937)
i think you should report her, or maybe get someone else to if you feel uncomfortable doing so.
that's just... not right. if it were me i would have gone all psycho bitch on her and screamed in her face, ha.
I think you should tell someone what she said, because shes probably offending more people too, if she makes those kinds of comments.
I had a teacher make an insensitive comment and it upset me, felt everyone was looking at me etc.
Though if she knew, she probably would feel bad. I think people just dont really understand.
x
"If only everyone could know and live with their inner craziness…people would be fairer and happier." Paulo Coelho
You arent being unreasonable and if I was you I would make a complaint about her because she was out of order. Teachers are supposed to set an example to students not encourage such disgusting behaviour
Hope you alright
Take of yourself
xx
You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.
you are defantly not being unreasonable... and to be honest I sort of agree with the person who said report her... I mean if they'd insulted depression or schizophrenia or even alcoholism they wouldn't get away with it would they? so why should they with SI?
you aren't being unreasonable at all, what she said was very insensitive and considering she's a teacher very unprofessional. I agree with the comments above- could you report her to someone higher up the school?
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?
Just because you can't see the stars doesn't mean they aren't there
What that teacher did was disgusting. Its horrible. How dare she (im asumming its a she) say that bout people. She doesnt understand what is going on with someone.
You are really not being unreasonable.
Report her.
You can write a letter to the school/head of your year/head of biology department and put it in a pidgeon box or something, so that they don't know who the report-ee is (i.e. you).
xxx
your not being unresonable at all
if i was in your place i'd probs go see a skool couceller ad tell themabotu it
they could pprobs see the teachers and tell them about how insesitive they wre being and yoru could remain anonyous
Hey, I don't think you are being unresonable in the sightest. What your teacher said was not only insesitive, but set a bad example for the rest of your classmates. She was judgemental about a topic she obviously doesn't understand, and she allowed her class to be judgemental as well. I completly understand how you feel because the same thing has happend to me in band class. Last semester, my prof. was in a bad mood, and was really anxious because we had a concert comming up, and we made a mistake in rehersal, and he told us to slit our wrists, and mark the music in blood so we wouldn't forget. The 1st time he did this, I let it go, but I told myself that if he did it again, I would leave. Well, a few minutes later, we made another mistake, and he said it again. I packed up my flute, and I walked out of the class. When I got back to my room, I wrote him an e-mail saying:
"Are you familiar with the term Self-Injury? It means to purposely inflict harm upon oneself in ways such as, but not limited to, cutting, burning, biting, or scratching in efforts to help one cope with a difficult situation or emotional, physical, or sexual trauma. Self-Injury is a serious behavioral disorder that there is, unfortunately, little awareness about. Approximately 2 million Americans commit acts of self-Injury, and 50 percent of self-injurers were abused as children. People struggling with self-injury often, almost always, hide their wounds from others because they may feel ashamed or misunderstood; Their world is in a shroud of secrecy and feelings of loneliness and despair. My reason for writing you this e-mail is to inform you of this disorder and to state that I am deeply offended by your comments promoting acts of self-injury. Point being, when you make such casual remarks about slashing ones wrist to mark music in blood, you simply do not know who in your band you are affecting and in what way. Your remarks could cause someone to either consider committing an act of self-injury or to cause someone to make light of the behavioral disorder in ways that are offensive and inappropriate to others. Thank you for taking the time to read this."
He replied back saying:
"I want to deeply apologize to you if my comments offended you or anyone else in any way. In the pressure to prepare for the concert it was an over-the-top comment which I sincerely apologize for. I also want to thank you for your calm, but serious, email response to my comment. It was written in a very informative manner which stated your feelings very effectively. I appreciate that a lot."
In my case, I'm in college, and I feel like I'm in more of a position to call my teachers out for a wrong doing than if I were still in High School. If you do report your teacher, which I think you should, you should take someone from your class with you who feels the same way. You should tell a councler and if the topic about you being a self-injurer comes up say that this isn't about you, this is about your teacher who has the power to influence so many students yet she chooses to do so in a negative, and inappropriate way. I hope you feel better.
Could you write your teacher a letter, similar to Kate's above and find a way of getting it to her anonymously? I can see why this affected you and i think you handled it incrediably well- i'd have had books flying!
Take care
xx
