Today in my new bio class we were taking about melanocytes and skin color and races and migration, etc. So my new teacher (who I think is Jewish, but I'm not sure) points me out in class & says I have "a typical Jewish phenotype." I don't know what this mean aside from the fact that I have dark eyes & hair (I am 1/2 from Italian descent), although my hair is pretty straight & my skin is pretty fair.
I have nothing against Jewish people but somehow I felt really embarrassed & everyone looked at me.
Am I wrong or was he wrong to say this? Thank you.
2006-09-02 11:00:34 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
it was yesterday not today sorry
2006-09-02 11:02:21 · update #1
i'm catholic (raised) but atheist
2006-09-02 11:04:11 · update #2
This question tends to lead us to believe that you were somewhat offended by his remarks. They may have very well been inappropriate. You should confront him and get clarity, explaining that you were offended.
2006-09-02 11:03:33 · answer #1 · answered by Wise ol' owl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean; I had a similar thing happen to me in high school. We were probably talking about a similar subject to what you were, and my teacher was talking about "olive-skinned" people, and used me as an example. So everyone was looking at me, and I felt awkward for a few seconds.
I know he didn't mean to offend me, just like your teacher didn't mean to offend you at all. Although I think in your case it was probably worse, just because he used the word "typical". And I really think that's what did it for you: not that he said you have a Jewish phenotype, but that he said you have a typical Jewish pheontype.
No once likes to be pigeon-holed or typified, or whatever it's called. And nobody likes to be pointed at, right? If it keeps bothering you, you should really go and talk to him about it. I'm pretty sure he'll apologize. It's important though that you go to him first, because if you talk to other people instead the story might get distorted and he could look like a pretty bad guy.
Here's an interesting fact-- I'm not actually olive-skinned at all. I'm half-Italian and half-African American. Teachers make mistakes, too.
2006-09-02 18:52:52 · answer #2 · answered by LingXinYi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try not to get upset. If he had just made this comment in general then it would be offensive. But since you were talking about the subject you were, he was just using you to demonstrate a point. He didn't mean to offend you or anything, he was just making a point. He could have pointed out a blonde, blue-eyed girl and said she had the typical Euro-scandinavian phenotype, or anyone, it just so happend he picked you. He really didn't mean to do anything offensive or hurtful. He was just presenting the class with an example of what he was talking about.
2006-09-02 18:21:59 · answer #3 · answered by nimo22 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he meant to offend you, actually since you "think he's Jewish" he was probably paying you a compliment.
If you feel offended by it you should perhaps go to him and ask him straight out, however sounds like he was just giving examples.
If you were the only one he pointed out, yes he could have avoided it , but he wasn't aiming at offending you.
2006-09-03 03:15:11 · answer #4 · answered by Auntie Alex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are studying the traits of humanity's various races and ethnic groups then I doubt if he was intentionally offensive. However, if you felt put off by the comment, it may be a good idea to sit down with him and ask him to clarify his intent. I think that if you make a lot out of it, then others may begin to make more of it as well and it might baloon into something undesirable.
I hope things work out.
All my best.
2006-09-02 18:50:38 · answer #5 · answered by tek1017 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him in no uncertain terms that what he said was inappropriate and inaccurate - think of all the types of people who are Jewish - Goldie Hawn, Adam Sandler, Sammy Davis Jr., Woody Allen, Mel Brooks- the list goes on and on- and they all look different.
That was pretty stupid comment coming from a teacher. It's not really a question of being insulting - it is more of being an inaccurate assumption on his part.
Before class starts - tell him that what he said made you feel uncomfortable. Maybe he is really clueless.
2006-09-03 03:28:35 · answer #6 · answered by Karla R 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hmmm sounds like racial profiling. But, I don't think he meant to offend you. He should have thought out his remarks before singling you out. Or, maybe he was giving you a compliment since you said he is probably of that race. Look at it that way.
2006-09-02 18:36:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nopers don't be offended. Your Bio teacher was describing your physical attributes in accordance with the subject being taught. Your religious preference is on the inside not outside.
2006-09-02 18:08:12 · answer #8 · answered by Sorcha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he or she meant anything by it but I don't think I would have directly pointed someone out as an example. I really don't think any harm was meant though, so just try and shrug it off and forget about it.
2006-09-02 18:05:06 · answer #9 · answered by Peachy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good, God...why would you be offended?? I am SICK of everyone making lists of things to be offended about. There is NO way that remark could cause any harm for you in any fashion.
Grow a set.
2006-09-02 21:14:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋