After watching a TED talk by a North Korean defector, I became interested in hearing more about NK and started watching about 3 different youtube channels. I also bought one book by one of the presenters as they tell heart-wrenching stories of escape, some traveling through multiple countries to get from North to South Korea, or to America. Many are sex trafficked; bought and sold as payment for passage.
One presenter was telling how amazing her American friends have been after finding out she is from NK. After watching her happy presentation, I commented that she had a pretty smile — and ran into some wokeness.
I wrote a post and included several of the comments. Most were to my defense, thankfully.
I have taught in a h/s setting for a couple decades and know how sensitive teens can be. I’ve always tried to be careful, but (WARNING…..) I have complimented both guys and girls and have even touched or (a couple times) hugged as part of comforting, encouraging, etc. There has never been a complaint from a student or a parent. So THIS encounter caught me a little off guard.
I also included my comment about the NK orchestra conductor shot 90 times in front of the artists — and received several hundred “thumbs up”.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts, even if it is to tell me I should never say a nice thing to (especially) young women.