35 Dumb Things People Say

Matt Paradowski 35 Dumb Things People Say Dr. Cullen has been referred to as being the best there is at simplifying the complex issues of diversity in an entertaining and educational manner (MauraCullen. com).

As expressed on Dr. Cullen’s website, she has been capturing the minds and hearts of people with dynamic seminars and speaking engagements in the United States, Canada and Australia. She is considered one of the best authorities on leadership and diversity. She also has worked with over 400 organizations with audiences of up to 8,000 people. Dr.Cullen holds a Doctorate in Social Justice and Diversity Education. She has 25 years of experience as a diversity trainer and speaker at over 400 universities and organizations.

Maura Cullen is the author of 35 Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say: Surprising Things We Say That Widen the Diversity Gap. She is a higher education student affairs professional and is the founding faculty of the Social Justice Training Institute. (http://www. mauracullen. com). Her Education background includes The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Springfield College and Bridgewater State College. http://www.

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linkedin. com/in/mauracullen). The audience I believe Dr. Cullen is trying to reach is everyone in general, but many of the sayings that deal with race are geared more towards white people. When reading “The 35 Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say” it seems that she was referring to everybody. I am pretty sure just about everyone has said at least one of the sayings at least once in their life. Out of the 35 sayings listed I have said 10 of them many times in my life.

The book basically says to the intended audience to think before you speak.Some people could take the book as telling you to more politically correct. After reading over this chapter to me Dr. Maura Cullen seems to be an upper class Republican who is too busy worrying about what everyone thinks or says. She seems to want everything to be very socially and politically correct. In the real world life will never be like this. Sometimes while reading this chapter of her book I thought she thinks she is better than everyone else.

If people didn’t say these things sometimes the world would be bland and everyone would act the same having no feeling or thoughts of their own.Who is she to say these things are dumb to say. I am not saying she is not smart but I am saying people need some of these sayings in their life and that yes some may be considered dumb but some are also very relevant. I really don’t think that everyone is going to think that this is offensive or that the person saying it is an idiot or dumb. In today’s day and age I don’t think people really care if they offend another person. I really never thought about or noticed if any of the sayings in this book were offensive or not.Will I try to stop saying the ones that I think are offensive? Sure I will but I have been saying them for so long or have heard people saying them that it is going to be extremely hard to change.

While reading this chapter, I saw some things people say that I think are pretty damn funny. For example # 30 states, “That’s so gay/queer or that’s so retarded” (Cullen pg. 103). Anyone with some sort of common sense would know when people say this they are not talking about homosexuals or mentally handicapped people. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence would know this.When people say, “that is so gay” or, “that is so queer” they are actually saying whatever they are talking about is dumb or stupid. The same goes for the saying, “that is so retarded.

” Personally I say these things a lot. I don’t mean anything bad by saying it. It is just that I have grown up saying it and do not think it is offensive. Like I said before anyone with an ounce of intelligence would know the true intention of saying, “That is so gay” or “That is so queer”. An example of a saying I think has some relevance is number 16 “I never owned slaves. (Cullen pg. 83) This is one of the saying I think is geared only toward white people.

I think it is relevant because of the amount of reverse racism in the world today. Many black people still complain about “The Man” or white people. The black people that complain about white people usually say that the white man is holding them back. In all honesty the only holding them back is themselves and their lack of drive, determination and hard work. So white people started saying “I never owned slaves” so don’t complain to me about your short comings.If anyone is discriminated against it is white people. The reason I say that is because of affirmative action.

Why should someone get a job over a more qualified applicant solely based on the color of their skin and that the employer doesn’t have enough of that race working for them. Finally that last quote I thought had some relevance at least in my life is number 20 calling women “Girls, Honey, Sweetie Pie,” or other familiar terms. (Cullen pg. 87) I used this statement all the time. I use it in the way Dr.Cullen says it is intended for which is to make a connection or attempting to make an environment more casual or friendly. (Cullen Pg.

87) I do not see it as sexist or condescending. I do not think it is disrespectful either. I say this because when a man calls his significant other sweetie pie or honey they definitely are not trying to be sexist. I know for sure they definitely are not being condescending either. The thing is women say things like this also it is just men do not think it is sexist or condescending.Out of all the women I may have called sweetie pie or honey in my life I have never had anyone get upset behind my back or to my face about it. People who are not so uptight or stuck on themselves will not think it is sexist or condescending either.

I do not think people need to watch what they say from now on. I believe that more people need to loosen up and accept life as it comes to them. Is it really worth complaining about these sayings? I for one think it is “retarded or gay” to complain and worry about all this crap.I have been through many thing in my life one of which was a near death experience. Life is too short to try and do everything the proper or “right” way. Sure some of the 35 saying could be a little on the rude side but hey no one is perfect, right? People have been saying these things and will continue to say these things until the end of time. Some things may change in time but not all.

Weather it is rude, sexist or condescending it is all in the eye of the beholder. If we could all just except each other as they are then these sayings would be irrelevant anyways.I enjoyed reading this chapter of Dr. Cullens book but sometimes it made me angry after reading her best bets sections. Sure she has a doctorate but her best bet situations will not always be correct.Works Cited Dr. Maura J Cullen Diversity Taking Adversity out of Diversity.

2010. 29 Nov. 2010. . Dr. Maura Cullen Diversity Training & Coaching Professional. 2008.

29 Nov. 2010. http://www. linkedin. com/in/mauracullen Cullen, Maura.

Morgan James Publishing. New York: Garden City, 2008. Print.

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