My blog from Houston, Texas. Updated most weeks, usually on Sundays.
Our Senior (Grade 12) students began their IB Diploma examinations on Thursday morning this week.
Ever since formal written examinations began (probably about 1500 years ago in imperial China), I think students everywhere have struggled with a dilemma. Should they write what they really think, or should they write what they think the examiner wants to read?
It is an important question, the significance of which extends well beyond mere examinations. Understanding how to express real opinions - in a frank yet respectful way - is a significant life skill that relates to business meetings in later life, dealing with one’s family, and even to Heads of Schools who must deal with a vast range of sometimes conflicting interests, expectations and aspirations on the part of parents, students, faculty, alumni, accreditation agencies, the press, the board of trustees, government officials, and so on.
I dreamed I was in the classroom of a primary school preparing to write an essay, and I was asking the teacher how to express an opinion.
“Mmmm, that’s hard!” Glancing sideways at me over his glasses, he said: “Let me tell you a story”:
“When a son is born to a family, the whole household is delighted. When he is one month old they carry him out to display him to the guests – usually expecting some compliments, of course.
“One says: ‘This child will be rich’, after which he is heartily thanked.
“Another says: ‘This child will be an official’, after which some compliments are made in return.
“A third says: ‘This child will die.’ In response, he is thoroughly beaten by the whole family.
“That the child will die is inevitable, while to say that he will be rich or a high official may be a lie. Yet the lie is rewarded, whereas the statement of the inevitable gains a beating.”
“I don't want to tell lies, sir, but neither do I want to be beaten. So what should I say?”
“In that case, say: ‘Aha! Just look at this child! My word ....... Oh, my!”
It is an important life lesson, and I hope Awty’s students will always remember this important message from Lu Xun – that in life, truth may sometimes be punished by those who should know better, but lies will also ultimately bring punishing consequences that are much worse.
Our answer to this dilemma should never be to say something ambiguous that cannot be pinned down. We should speak fearlessly for what we believe is true and just. This practice should not just be followed in examinations, but throughout life.
Expressing Opinions
Sunday, 5 May 2013