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Is the “okay†hand gesture now unacceptable to use in class?
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While teaching a class last week, I made the widely-recognized hand gesture (an open circle with the thumb and index finger, with the other 3 fingers loosely or sharphy extended... I'm not sure exactly how mine looks, as it's like muscle memory and I don't consciously think about the exact shape I'm making) while simultaneously saying "okay...". I can't remember the full sentence but it was something related to the math course I'm teaching.
Now I suddenly learn that it means "white power" to some people (some Americans). To make matters even worse, I'm white, and I make a very similar-looking symbol while indicating 3 things (some use the middle 3 fingers for this; but I've always done it the other way) or counting to a number between 3 and 5 with my fingers. Good heavens!
Would I possibly get into administrative trouble for doing this, if a student were to report it?
teaching
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
While teaching a class last week, I made the widely-recognized hand gesture (an open circle with the thumb and index finger, with the other 3 fingers loosely or sharphy extended... I'm not sure exactly how mine looks, as it's like muscle memory and I don't consciously think about the exact shape I'm making) while simultaneously saying "okay...". I can't remember the full sentence but it was something related to the math course I'm teaching.
Now I suddenly learn that it means "white power" to some people (some Americans). To make matters even worse, I'm white, and I make a very similar-looking symbol while indicating 3 things (some use the middle 3 fingers for this; but I've always done it the other way) or counting to a number between 3 and 5 with my fingers. Good heavens!
Would I possibly get into administrative trouble for doing this, if a student were to report it?
teaching
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
That entirely depends on the rules and regulations of your institution (I highly doubt you could get in trouble for an innocent gesture, though, unless you actually are a proponent of "white power").
– astronat
3 hours ago
Answers to "Would I possibly" questions are almost always positive. The better questions are "how likely" and "how serious trouble". Accusations generally tend to cause trouble, whether or not they are founded; but the total number of cases in which the trouble was serious and permanent (for reasons as trivial as yours) is rather small (in the US, I could name 2-3 at most; Canada is worse). I suspect the OK-sign panic will be gone the way of the dinosaurs in a year or two, but in the process I have no idea how much havoc it will wreak (most of it, probably, outside academia).
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
4
Note that everything that is happening is happening just according to keikaku: The "white power" meaning of the gesture was invented by 4chan /pol/ in the first place, probably with the exact goal of causing a moral panic.
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
1
Incidentally, Wikipedia suggests this gesture has various other (pre-existing) meanings in different cultures, some of them offensive. If you plan to do much international travel (which many academics do), you might want to try to get out of the habit of using this gesture anyway.
– Nate Eldredge
2 hours ago
In some cultures that is a bit offensive, representing something else that is round and offensive :)
– Fábio Dias
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
While teaching a class last week, I made the widely-recognized hand gesture (an open circle with the thumb and index finger, with the other 3 fingers loosely or sharphy extended... I'm not sure exactly how mine looks, as it's like muscle memory and I don't consciously think about the exact shape I'm making) while simultaneously saying "okay...". I can't remember the full sentence but it was something related to the math course I'm teaching.
Now I suddenly learn that it means "white power" to some people (some Americans). To make matters even worse, I'm white, and I make a very similar-looking symbol while indicating 3 things (some use the middle 3 fingers for this; but I've always done it the other way) or counting to a number between 3 and 5 with my fingers. Good heavens!
Would I possibly get into administrative trouble for doing this, if a student were to report it?
teaching
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
While teaching a class last week, I made the widely-recognized hand gesture (an open circle with the thumb and index finger, with the other 3 fingers loosely or sharphy extended... I'm not sure exactly how mine looks, as it's like muscle memory and I don't consciously think about the exact shape I'm making) while simultaneously saying "okay...". I can't remember the full sentence but it was something related to the math course I'm teaching.
Now I suddenly learn that it means "white power" to some people (some Americans). To make matters even worse, I'm white, and I make a very similar-looking symbol while indicating 3 things (some use the middle 3 fingers for this; but I've always done it the other way) or counting to a number between 3 and 5 with my fingers. Good heavens!
Would I possibly get into administrative trouble for doing this, if a student were to report it?
teaching
teaching
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
asked 3 hours ago
Forever Mozart
1,205824
1,205824
That entirely depends on the rules and regulations of your institution (I highly doubt you could get in trouble for an innocent gesture, though, unless you actually are a proponent of "white power").
– astronat
3 hours ago
Answers to "Would I possibly" questions are almost always positive. The better questions are "how likely" and "how serious trouble". Accusations generally tend to cause trouble, whether or not they are founded; but the total number of cases in which the trouble was serious and permanent (for reasons as trivial as yours) is rather small (in the US, I could name 2-3 at most; Canada is worse). I suspect the OK-sign panic will be gone the way of the dinosaurs in a year or two, but in the process I have no idea how much havoc it will wreak (most of it, probably, outside academia).
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
4
Note that everything that is happening is happening just according to keikaku: The "white power" meaning of the gesture was invented by 4chan /pol/ in the first place, probably with the exact goal of causing a moral panic.
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
1
Incidentally, Wikipedia suggests this gesture has various other (pre-existing) meanings in different cultures, some of them offensive. If you plan to do much international travel (which many academics do), you might want to try to get out of the habit of using this gesture anyway.
– Nate Eldredge
2 hours ago
In some cultures that is a bit offensive, representing something else that is round and offensive :)
– Fábio Dias
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
That entirely depends on the rules and regulations of your institution (I highly doubt you could get in trouble for an innocent gesture, though, unless you actually are a proponent of "white power").
– astronat
3 hours ago
Answers to "Would I possibly" questions are almost always positive. The better questions are "how likely" and "how serious trouble". Accusations generally tend to cause trouble, whether or not they are founded; but the total number of cases in which the trouble was serious and permanent (for reasons as trivial as yours) is rather small (in the US, I could name 2-3 at most; Canada is worse). I suspect the OK-sign panic will be gone the way of the dinosaurs in a year or two, but in the process I have no idea how much havoc it will wreak (most of it, probably, outside academia).
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
4
Note that everything that is happening is happening just according to keikaku: The "white power" meaning of the gesture was invented by 4chan /pol/ in the first place, probably with the exact goal of causing a moral panic.
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
1
Incidentally, Wikipedia suggests this gesture has various other (pre-existing) meanings in different cultures, some of them offensive. If you plan to do much international travel (which many academics do), you might want to try to get out of the habit of using this gesture anyway.
– Nate Eldredge
2 hours ago
In some cultures that is a bit offensive, representing something else that is round and offensive :)
– Fábio Dias
32 mins ago
That entirely depends on the rules and regulations of your institution (I highly doubt you could get in trouble for an innocent gesture, though, unless you actually are a proponent of "white power").
– astronat
3 hours ago
That entirely depends on the rules and regulations of your institution (I highly doubt you could get in trouble for an innocent gesture, though, unless you actually are a proponent of "white power").
– astronat
3 hours ago
Answers to "Would I possibly" questions are almost always positive. The better questions are "how likely" and "how serious trouble". Accusations generally tend to cause trouble, whether or not they are founded; but the total number of cases in which the trouble was serious and permanent (for reasons as trivial as yours) is rather small (in the US, I could name 2-3 at most; Canada is worse). I suspect the OK-sign panic will be gone the way of the dinosaurs in a year or two, but in the process I have no idea how much havoc it will wreak (most of it, probably, outside academia).
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
Answers to "Would I possibly" questions are almost always positive. The better questions are "how likely" and "how serious trouble". Accusations generally tend to cause trouble, whether or not they are founded; but the total number of cases in which the trouble was serious and permanent (for reasons as trivial as yours) is rather small (in the US, I could name 2-3 at most; Canada is worse). I suspect the OK-sign panic will be gone the way of the dinosaurs in a year or two, but in the process I have no idea how much havoc it will wreak (most of it, probably, outside academia).
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
4
4
Note that everything that is happening is happening just according to keikaku: The "white power" meaning of the gesture was invented by 4chan /pol/ in the first place, probably with the exact goal of causing a moral panic.
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
Note that everything that is happening is happening just according to keikaku: The "white power" meaning of the gesture was invented by 4chan /pol/ in the first place, probably with the exact goal of causing a moral panic.
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
1
1
Incidentally, Wikipedia suggests this gesture has various other (pre-existing) meanings in different cultures, some of them offensive. If you plan to do much international travel (which many academics do), you might want to try to get out of the habit of using this gesture anyway.
– Nate Eldredge
2 hours ago
Incidentally, Wikipedia suggests this gesture has various other (pre-existing) meanings in different cultures, some of them offensive. If you plan to do much international travel (which many academics do), you might want to try to get out of the habit of using this gesture anyway.
– Nate Eldredge
2 hours ago
In some cultures that is a bit offensive, representing something else that is round and offensive :)
– Fábio Dias
32 mins ago
In some cultures that is a bit offensive, representing something else that is round and offensive :)
– Fábio Dias
32 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
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oldest
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up vote
5
down vote
The whole "White-power" hand sign started as a joke from 4chan or something like that. It was kind of a ploy to get the more gullible liberals all worked up for nothing. It was kind of laughable at first. However, it would seem that it's becoming more and more accepted as an actual WP symbol. I believe that some white-supremacist groups have even ended up adopting it. Still, I wouldn't worry about it as long as it doesn't seem as if you are actually pushing the agenda.
You could always swap it for "thumbs up" or, my favorite, good ol' finger guns.
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
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up vote
2
down vote
It's fine. Don't keep such track of the latest silliness. Let it pass.
I do think it is a bit informal. That is if the teacher calls on you, you should answer him directly. But signalled across a laboratory or the like, I would have no issue with it.
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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OP seems to be the teacher.
– cag51
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
The whole "White-power" hand sign started as a joke from 4chan or something like that. It was kind of a ploy to get the more gullible liberals all worked up for nothing. It was kind of laughable at first. However, it would seem that it's becoming more and more accepted as an actual WP symbol. I believe that some white-supremacist groups have even ended up adopting it. Still, I wouldn't worry about it as long as it doesn't seem as if you are actually pushing the agenda.
You could always swap it for "thumbs up" or, my favorite, good ol' finger guns.
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
New contributor
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
The whole "White-power" hand sign started as a joke from 4chan or something like that. It was kind of a ploy to get the more gullible liberals all worked up for nothing. It was kind of laughable at first. However, it would seem that it's becoming more and more accepted as an actual WP symbol. I believe that some white-supremacist groups have even ended up adopting it. Still, I wouldn't worry about it as long as it doesn't seem as if you are actually pushing the agenda.
You could always swap it for "thumbs up" or, my favorite, good ol' finger guns.
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
New contributor
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
The whole "White-power" hand sign started as a joke from 4chan or something like that. It was kind of a ploy to get the more gullible liberals all worked up for nothing. It was kind of laughable at first. However, it would seem that it's becoming more and more accepted as an actual WP symbol. I believe that some white-supremacist groups have even ended up adopting it. Still, I wouldn't worry about it as long as it doesn't seem as if you are actually pushing the agenda.
You could always swap it for "thumbs up" or, my favorite, good ol' finger guns.
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
New contributor
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The whole "White-power" hand sign started as a joke from 4chan or something like that. It was kind of a ploy to get the more gullible liberals all worked up for nothing. It was kind of laughable at first. However, it would seem that it's becoming more and more accepted as an actual WP symbol. I believe that some white-supremacist groups have even ended up adopting it. Still, I wouldn't worry about it as long as it doesn't seem as if you are actually pushing the agenda.
You could always swap it for "thumbs up" or, my favorite, good ol' finger guns.
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
New contributor
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
New contributor
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
answered 2 hours ago
Hash_Frowns
562
562
New contributor
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hash_Frowns is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
It's fine. Don't keep such track of the latest silliness. Let it pass.
I do think it is a bit informal. That is if the teacher calls on you, you should answer him directly. But signalled across a laboratory or the like, I would have no issue with it.
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OP seems to be the teacher.
– cag51
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
It's fine. Don't keep such track of the latest silliness. Let it pass.
I do think it is a bit informal. That is if the teacher calls on you, you should answer him directly. But signalled across a laboratory or the like, I would have no issue with it.
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OP seems to be the teacher.
– cag51
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
It's fine. Don't keep such track of the latest silliness. Let it pass.
I do think it is a bit informal. That is if the teacher calls on you, you should answer him directly. But signalled across a laboratory or the like, I would have no issue with it.
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It's fine. Don't keep such track of the latest silliness. Let it pass.
I do think it is a bit informal. That is if the teacher calls on you, you should answer him directly. But signalled across a laboratory or the like, I would have no issue with it.
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
answered 2 hours ago
guest
211
211
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OP seems to be the teacher.
– cag51
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
OP seems to be the teacher.
– cag51
2 hours ago
OP seems to be the teacher.
– cag51
2 hours ago
OP seems to be the teacher.
– cag51
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
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That entirely depends on the rules and regulations of your institution (I highly doubt you could get in trouble for an innocent gesture, though, unless you actually are a proponent of "white power").
– astronat
3 hours ago
Answers to "Would I possibly" questions are almost always positive. The better questions are "how likely" and "how serious trouble". Accusations generally tend to cause trouble, whether or not they are founded; but the total number of cases in which the trouble was serious and permanent (for reasons as trivial as yours) is rather small (in the US, I could name 2-3 at most; Canada is worse). I suspect the OK-sign panic will be gone the way of the dinosaurs in a year or two, but in the process I have no idea how much havoc it will wreak (most of it, probably, outside academia).
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
4
Note that everything that is happening is happening just according to keikaku: The "white power" meaning of the gesture was invented by 4chan /pol/ in the first place, probably with the exact goal of causing a moral panic.
– darij grinberg
2 hours ago
1
Incidentally, Wikipedia suggests this gesture has various other (pre-existing) meanings in different cultures, some of them offensive. If you plan to do much international travel (which many academics do), you might want to try to get out of the habit of using this gesture anyway.
– Nate Eldredge
2 hours ago
In some cultures that is a bit offensive, representing something else that is round and offensive :)
– Fábio Dias
32 mins ago