- “In our country, there are groups of students who chronically underperform…they’ve done so poorly for so long that many people think it’s inevitable. But when educators create growth mindset classrooms steeped in yet, equality happens” (Dweck 7:14).I agree with Dweck here and believe creating a growth mindset environment in the classroom would not only change students’ performance in the classroom, but their whole mindset on challenges in other parts of their life.I agree teaching students a growth mindset at a young age is crucial to their success throughout their years in school, and their success in their professional life.
2. “Claims of a right not to be offended have continued to arise since then, and universities have continued to privilege them (Lukianoff/Haidt paragraph 25). I disagree with Lukianoff and Haidt position to oppose this claim. I agree that colleges should be privileging these claims if they believe someone has said something purposefully offensive. I believe Lukianoff and Haidt allow too much inappropriate speech ot be tolerated on college campuses. Though students are there to learn, they are also there to live and they should not constantly feel offended or judged by their fellow peers. Though there may have been some negative effects to what colleges are not allowing, they are doing it to make their students feel safe.
3. Yet throughout American history—from the Victorian era to the free-speech activism of the 1960s and ’70s—radicals have pushed boundaries and mocked prevailing sensibilities. Sometime in the 1980s, however, college campuses began to focus on preventing offensive speech, especially speech that might be hurtful to women or minority groups” (Lukinoff/Haidt paragraph 23). I agree that college campuses have been preventing offensive speech, but the authors forget the fact how far our society has come in the past 50 years of becoming more inclusive and equal to minority groups. These huge steps for different movements could not have happened without ones standing up for offensive speech. I agree that universities should not prevent students freedom of speech or the ability to discuss their beliefs, but I believe many of the rules that are enforced are important to keep campuses welcoming for every student.
4. “Let’s not waste any more lives, because once we know that abilities are capable of such growth, it becomes a basic human right for children, all children, to live in places that create that growth, to live in places filled with ‘yet’” (Dweck 9:33). I agree with Dweck that it is important to realize our abilities can improve, but I think she makes it sound much more easy than it actually is, especially if you have learned to live with a fixed mindset. Dweck makes having a growth mindset like a switch you just need to switch on, but this is not the case. These skills to have a growth mindset take effort, attention and practice. I grew up with a fixed mindset and I have to be aware everyday to keep a growth mindset. It is an everyday struggle, and needs to be practiced before it becomes automatic.
