Michele's CIT blog: Debates

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Thank you for your responses and questions. I know that I have a heightened sensitivity, to a fault.

Movin' on.

At 11:30 PM, Cheryl Makovsky said...: Michele,

I'm sorry you're so upset. It's odd, though, because I don't recall anything negative or hurtful about our meeting.

I honestly am shocked that you felt we were being "ruthless" and that our swords were drawn.

If I said anything cruel, I apologize. I assure you I didn't intend to cause any harm. I keep trying to remember my tone of voice and my words. I can't recall feeling any rancor. Neither do I recall hearing anyone else's.

I truly don't believe anyone was trying to shut you down!
At 11:19 AM, Lary Kleeman said...: Hi Michele,

Well, where to begin?

I oftentimes feel as though writers, in general, are much more atuned to how things are put. Those who are not writers but speakers, use the language differently.

Your feelings about yesterday's meeting tend to confirm to me that you are a writer, personality-wise. Writers tend to be observers and tend to feel threatened when having to "hold the floor" in speaking, debating. Of course, this is all generalizations, but there's some truth to it--at least, these are the feelings that I hold as a writer.

After having been on many committees through my ten years of elected service to CLAS Executive Board and as a past department chair, I've learned that English teachers are some of the most laborious speakers/decision-makers in committees simply because, for us, "its all in the language".

For this duck, committee-talk is just water off the back.