Friday Ethics Class #2, 8-10am

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara looks excited, as students trickle in, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet.

"Okay, we've got a lot to get through today. Two announcements to start:

First, Teacher's Assistants have been chosen. I have a carrot - Major K! - and a stick - Angelus. If you're having trouble grasping a concept, talk to Major K!. He'll guide you through the thinking. If you think you've got a hold on it, talk to Angelus. He'll challenge your thinking, give you the opportunity to clarify your position.

Second, and related to the latter - this class is not an easy A. At some point in this course you will find yourself challenged and confronted. For many of you, that will be today. If you walk out of this classroom before class is over, and without checking it with me, I may be understandably upset. However, I recognise that if you get angry or upset, you may need some time alone, or away from the group. To that end, I present to you the Emo Closet Time Out Room." She walks to the back of the classroom and opens the door to what previously was a supply cabinet. Inside is what looks very much like a white padded room. "This room is soundproofed. You can cry, scream and punch things all you want, and I will not penalise you for leaving the class or the discussion. Major K! or I will come to check on anyone who goes to the Emo Closet Time Out Room, in case you need help or support. Feel free to tell us to leave you alone.

Now, we've got our first debate to hear, a discussion topic to... um, discuss, and your first out of class assignment. Which you are going to kill, or at least seriously maim, me for giving you.

Comments

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

She glances across at him, her eyes wide. "I can't do this, Cam," she whispers. "Especially not to Janet."

Re: Assignment briefing

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with," Cameron replies softly. He might be glaring at Tara at the same time.

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"I'm not comfortable with the idea of slavery," she whispers. "I've given orders before, but this is different."

Re: Assignment briefing

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara catches the end of the conversation. Quietly, she crosses over to Liz and whispers "remember the safewords. She still has her free will. She can tell you no."

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth swallows hard, and nods.

Re: Assignment briefing

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Charlie crouched down beside Liz once Professor Maclay was gone. "Hey. It'll be okay. Promise. Nothing hinky, plenty of safeguards and just a practical way to get people pissed off at slavery in general." He leaned up and whispered. "She's with you so she'll be okay."

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth closed her eyes and whispered "No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms."

She looked up at him. "Children in Mali are kidnapped and sold into slavery? Do you know what the going rate is? Thirty fucking dollars US."

Re: Assignment briefing

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"I know. I've been there. You know. You've probably been there too. But these kids? And they *are* just kids.. they don't get it. They aren't gonna get it because they don't expect it'll ever happen to them. It'll only happen to someone else, so whadda they care? But if they have to experience it, they can't ignore it. They HAVE to think about it and if, wherever they come from, they come face to face with it they're gonna know sure as hell that it's wrong and they'll know it has to stop, because they've been through it and their friends have been through it."

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"It's still not right, Charlie, even in a controlled environment. Everything about me is screaming that," she sighs.

Re: Assignment briefing

[janet_fraiser]

"Liz," says Janet, looking very angry. "Can we talk about the assignment? Privately."

OOC: New thread down at the bottom?

Re: Assignment briefing

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"Of course it's not right. But how are these kids gonna learn anything if they don't get it shoved right up in their faces? All the safeguards are in place. No one has to do anything they don't want to do. No abuse. Safe learning environment. They need to learn that it's *not* right and that it *shouldn't* be happening, but they can't do that unless they figure out how it relates to them personally."

Re: Assignment briefing

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"That's people who chose to follow the orders. Slavery is not a free decision. Unless for those s-... let's please not go there." He shakes his head. "I'm not forcing anyone to do anything against their will."

Re: Assignment briefing

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"No, you're not," Tara intervenes. "You will agree on safewords with your partner, and if they or you use them, you will stop."

Re: Assignment briefing

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"I didn't know slavery came with safeguards." Cameron shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm with Janet on this."

Re: Assignment briefing

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Real slavery? Doesn't. But real slaves can revolt, or run away. This is an ethics class, Cameron. I wouldn't subject you to real slavery."

Re: Assignment briefing

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"No, but then you agree that real slavery is bad whether or not you can revolt against it. So why do something that doesn't come close to the real thing and actually makes light of it?"

Re: Assignment briefing

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I didn't say that, Cameron," Tara replies calmly. "For many, slavery is better than the alternative. A slave is guaranteed a roof over their head, and enough food a day to live and work on. Your average slave is far, far better off than your average homeless person.

So answer your own question. Why would I have given you this assignment? What's the point?"

Re: Assignment briefing

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"A slave is better than a homeless person. Hang on, you're saying that a home is more important than having control over your own being?"

"I'm really wondering about that."

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Exactly." She reaches out and clasps Cameron's hand tightly.

Re: Assignment briefing

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

Cameron frowns and squeezes her hand right back. He's definitely not liking what this is doing to Liz and Janet.

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery
and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms." she whispers. "Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

Re: Assignment briefing

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," Angelus pointed out. "Some are very happy being slaves."

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"What about the children sold into slavery for $30? Or the little boy who drank his own urine for three days because the plantation owner locked him up without food or water?"

Re: Assignment briefing

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"I'm kinda fond of those human rights." Cam said with a small smile, trying to distract her.

Re: Assignment briefing

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

She gave him a slight smile. "Yeah, I am too."