A phrase that has become increasingly common in discussions of modern social issues, “it’s not my job to educate you” has, alongside its sibling “educate yourself”, become one of many things socially-minded people say when fighting the good fight against ignorance and intolerance. There comes, after all, a certain point at which someone’s views not only seem wrong, but outright repulsive, a point encompassing everything from misogynistic Facebook and Twitter posts to racist speeches by politicians. Surely, we tell ourselves, at this point there is no longer a debate – there are just people who are right, and people who maliciously insist on upholding outdated, backwards views. To a degree, we are right – some things are simply not morally debatable. The existence of institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia, among numerous other social ills, is not a topic of discussion but a cold, hard fact, and no one should have to pretend that refusing to acknowledge this is okay for the sake of a debate. Those who tell people to go educate themselves do so because it isn’t their job, and shouldn’t be, to explain things that all decent people should already understand.
This does not, however, mean that it’s ever actually a good idea to tell someone it’s not your job to educate them. The phrase, while a statement of fact, has no redeeming value. It ends a conversation on a negative note, and doesn’t do anything to fix the problems of society – rather, it does the opposite. To the person to whom you say it, “It’s not my job to educate you” is just a more erudite way of yelling, “you’re wrong,” and storming off – to them it’s both unconvincing and incredibly condescending. Because of this, bigots who are told to go educate themselves not only will not do it (as “you’re wrong” is a universally weak argument), but will more than likely use the incident as a reason to justify dismissing valid social issues.
In trying to fix the systemic and institutional problems in society, one will inevitably encounter people who disagree, who do not believe and who do not understand the cause. Since these problems are endemic to society as a whole, they can only be solved if everyone understands, and that means that one of the most important things that must be done is simply persuading and explaining them to people. People are not obligated or required to act as missionaries and explain society’s problems to everyone with flawed beliefs- it’s not their job, and it’s extremely taxing. Because of this, not wanting to be the missionary of social justice and choosing not to participate in such conversation is understandable. This is a delicate, complex and burdensome process, so only those willing and capable of dedicating the time and effort to fully engage and persuade people ought to take up the task; all others may simply avoid the conversation. Both pursuits are completely justified.
Telling a person with flawed beliefs that it’s not your job to educate them, however, is never justified, and is an act of intellectual elitism rather than social justice.
Stefan Herlitz is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at [email protected].
Eliot W. Collins • Feb 25, 2015 at 10:55 am
When I’m told to “educate myself”, I often reply, “Why don’t you educate me? Please provide me with a legitimate reference that proves that what I am saying is incorrect.” Typically they cannot come up with one. When they say, “educate yourself”, they’re just taking the easy way out.
Bill • Jan 23, 2015 at 7:21 am
I’m not in college anymore, so I haven’t heard anyone tell me to “educate myself”, but to imply someone isn’t educated because they have different beliefs than you, is just ignorant. This is similar to the “check your privilege” line, which assumes all of a certain group are privileged. I think they just come up with these lines so they don’t have to have a civil discussion with facts.
Emily Devenney • Jan 22, 2015 at 5:07 pm
I agree with Emily O’Neil’s comment. I would like to add that it is not an act of “intellectual elitism” to experience prejudice, discrimination, and systematic oppression on a daily basis. As Emily stated, it is not elitism, but exhaustion. What is elitist is assuming that “educate yourself” is a dismissive remark–what’s more dismissive than overt racism? Sexism? Ableism? How are people who belong to marginalized groups supposed to respond? Are you asking people not to be upset? If you say something wrong enough that you are told to educate yourself I would hope that you would be shocked, and reconsider your thoughts, words, and/or actions.
Em O'Neil • Jan 22, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Stefan, while I understand that you are trying to make a point about how “educate yourself” sounds like an aggressive accusation of ignorance. However, the point that people try to make when they say “educate yourself” is that it is not the job of traditionally marginalized (ie. not white, not male, not cis, not heterosexual, not able, not upper class) groups to educate traditionally privileged groups. Google exists. There are a multitude of resources where you may read about any identity you wish. There is a time and a place for education, and often the times when education is most needed are also the times where it is impossible to drop everything to educate someone else on their privilege. It is not elitism but exhaustion that makes people say “educate your damn self.” Individuals lose their individualism when they are constantly being asked to speak for an entire culture, gender, etc.
To quote a much more educated person then myself on the subject, Audre Lorde wrote, “whenever the need for some pretense of communication arises, those who profit from our oppression call upon us to share our knowledge with them. In other words, it is the responsibility of the oppressed to teach the oppressors their mistakes… The oppressors maintain their position and evade responsibility for their own actions. There is a constant drain of energy which might be better used in redefining ourselves and devising realistic scenarios for altering the present and constructing the future.” Educating yourself is more respectful, more efficient, and easy when you bother to try.