Racism has always been a very sensitive topic for the masses. And one has to be really very careful while discussing this topic in a classroom, especially when the classroom is in the University of Karachi.
As all the students are well aware of the politics of this university, we are very careful while passing any racial statement even when we are talking amongst ourselves. In fact, everybody knows that it’s better not to talk about these issues at all,not even with friends or classmates. I say so because K.U. is a place where there have been numerous cases of certain “clashes” which have caused a lot of trouble for the other students who do not have anything to do with political activism.
My point is that, when one knows that this university is a beehive that should not be poked with a stick no matter what, then why do certain teachers love to discuss unnecessary political matters? When they know that we are living in a society where people do not even know how to spell ‘tolerance’. Isn’t it obvious that teachers should refrain from such political gossip while teaching in classrooms? Do not they know that we have students amidst us who speak for their organization before they speak for themselves?
A few days back, one of my teachers (not from my department) was discussing ‘provincialism’ and its causes. When we jumped to the causes, our teacher turned the mike towards us. She wanted to know what we, the students, thought of racism and ethnicity. Although she took off with the topic on the right foot, things got a bit odd when suddenly she passed a rather racist statement (intentionally or unintentionally) regarding one of the prominent cultures of Pakistan.
Now, I have been taught racism, ethnocentrism, nationalism and provincialism previously in my International Relations classes, but never did I come across such a situation in which a teacher openly targeted a specific people and their culture. I don’t know what she was trying to teach by questioning the existence of a 63 year old culture. She actually made an objection to what those people call themselves. This really changed the whole mood of the classroom when some of the students, who were hardcore supporters of that culture, burst out with their reactions. Now tell me, is it appropriate to pin point a certain cultural entity living in your country and criticize their actions when you are aware of the fact that there are students in your class who can give a strong reaction to such statements.(you are living in Pakistan you know!) By the term ‘reaction’ I mean severe reactions which can turn the whole situation of the university in an instant.
Maybe my teacher was trying to sort out ethnic differences like Erin Gruwell(form ‘Freedom Writers’ movie). But I guess she could have done better by criticizing all the other four cultures of Pakistan instead of attacking just one.
The teachers, with all due respect to them, must be careful before discussing such political issues and even if they want to, must keep their tone vague, so that it doesn’t create situations that can turn nasty. After all, they are the ones who can drive their way out of the varsity gates whenever there is a clash and the innocent students are left at the mercy of public buses. (Even those rickshaws disappear like the dodo-birds… its not pleasant you know! )
Constant vigilance!!!
