Blog post #9 - Playing the Devil's Advocate

I've always been a better listener than speaker. I like to keep to myself and believe that my opinions are my own. I opt to simply agree with my classmates/co-workers/peers about whichever topic is being discussed. I have yet to figure it out whether it's because I'm a natural introvert, or because of my personal experiences, when what I say doesn't matter.

My stay at the University of Ottawa changed that over time. I am still an introvert, but I tend to speak up more often. Once I hit my third year in the Second Language Teaching program, a professor told me something I needed to hear. I don't quite remember the discussion topic, but I remember the context. It was a Wednesday 8:30am class. Everyone was tired. Nobody was participating or answering the questions the professor asked. I decided to raise my hand. This was quite new to me, as I usually refrained from speaking altogether. Whatever I said must have sparked something in my classmates. One after the other, students raised their hands to pitch into the conversation. The usually dull class became interesting.

At the end of class, the professor came up to me and said: "Gabriel, you should contribute more often. You make intelligent and logical points, and make discussion happen." Patting-on-the-back aside, I think I needed to hear those words. I progressively contributed to discussions. I started enjoying my classes a lot more. However, I didn't always say "I agree with you/the author." More often than not, I played the Devil's advocate. I disagreed with the articles and my classmates. I said out loud what everyone was thinking deep down. I explained the reality instead of ranting about ideologies.

Fast forward to the M.Ed. Those of you who have taken other courses with me may know by now I participate by giving my own opinions about the discussion topic. I often disagree with the readings, which often repeat the same thing over and over. They talk the talk, but don't do the talk.

Playing the Devil's advocate doesn't necessarily mean I agree with what I'm saying, although  it happens. Instead, I want to bring the discussion back to a realistic level, especially when we're talking about ideologies. I realise that this method doesn't appeal to everyone. In fact, I know a few people who can't look at me straight in the eye or will refuse to speak to me. Becoming the Devil's advocate made me realise I've made quite a few enemies in the past four years.

But I don't regret it.

I am not making excuses for my behaviour, nor do I intend to stop. Frankly, I don't care (to an extent) what people think about me. I can take criticism, and know my strengths and weaknesses. I want to make people react (In a sense, the same way a teacher wants their students to think for themselves). By no means do I consider myself above anyone else, although I do think my unconventional opinions make discussion happen, and therefore make class more interesting. (I hope)

I made this post to express some of my thoughts about some of my observations throughout the M.Ed. I noticed that some people refrain from speaking because they're afraid of offending someone. Others are afraid of being shut down and disciplined for having radical thoughts. Why? The M.Ed is about having a voice. Making your opinion be heard.

Someone got offended about something you said? Who cares!? Well, they did...but that's asides from the point. It is by being uncomfortable in a certain situation that real criticism can happen. It is by being uncomfortable that we can view and deconstruct a system. Nothing revolutionary ever happened from staying safe.

Our fear should be to be silenced, but as it stands, we're afraid about having a voice. So why are we staying silent?