*** Dear Annamaria.

You blew it if you wanted not to post on the listserv ! As we all do
at one point, you replied to the whole list thinking you were
replying to an individual; but it is a good thing in my viewpoint
because your comment surely represents the view of many on this list.


As I have posted a while ago, all my graduate health promotion class
(17 people, mostly nutritionnists and nurses this time, with a few
others: psychologist, lawyer, kinesiologist, occupational therapist,
etc.) is signed up on click4hp for the term, both for learning how to
use a listserv as well as for content on HP. We had a lively
discussion in class this afternoon, a case study in Raphaeology, and
the opinions were divided. Most people, new to listservs, felt a bit
taken aback by the whole thing and a person made a very relevant
comment: maybe the reactions to Dennis' tone, which she felt not as
rude as many others in the class did, were in reaction to things in
the past (remember:  these students have signed up just a few days,
at most weeks ago.). Whereas several people wondered if Dennis ever
sleeps or disconnects from his computer, most felt his postings were
generally useful but several felt there is no need to be abrasive
(most felt the tone was a bit abrasive, maybe not in the original
posting but on DEnnis's follow-ups) to carry one's view, as you
formulate pretty eloquently below. Many health workers are forced to
do activities they not necessarily agree with and not all are willing
to put their job at stake in refusing to do what their boss asks them
to, even if they not necessarily agree with it; better then to do it
in the best manner possible.

During the last episode of Raphaelology just after the determinants
of health conference a few months ago, where much of the same
concerns were debated, I posted a reaction in the same line as yours
below. So thanks for making it, even if originally it was not
intended for the whole list, it was very useful indeed ! And do write
again to the list; you have much to contribute !

Michel ONeill. ***


>Dennis
>
>I hope you don't mind that I'm replying to you directly on this. And it
>isn't because I don't want these comments on the list serv - I just think
>the issue is not going anywhere and the accusatory nature of them is NOT
>productive.
>
>Here's my main issue:
>
>Why do you assume that because people object to your tone that they are
>"guilty" of something? You've turned a discussion about the tone used into a
>healthy lifestyles approach vs. social justice approach to health promotion.
>This has absolutely nothing to do with your views - I don't disagree at ALL
>that there are many different ways to address tobacco use and that
>addressing poverty would be the best approach. I agree with this.
>
>What I disagreed with was your tone in your response - not the original, but
>your subsequent response alluding to the suggeston that those who disagree
>with you are somehow less worthy of an opinion because you assume they are
>middle class, SUV driving... whatever (if you would like me to find it, I
>can dig it out of my delete bin). What if I told you I was a single mother
>who pulled myself up from the bootstraps, lived in assisted housing for
>years and came into health promotion when my CAS worker asked me to join a
>support group for battered women? Would that change your opinion of my
>comments?
>
>When I read your email, I didn't disagree with you, I just felt horrible for
>the individual (who I don't know) who was being berated by someone -
>especially someone who is so well respected. My own personal concern over
>yours - and others - responses has kept me from posting to this list serv in
>the past - and will continue to in the future. Does that make me insecure /
>silly / irrational? Perhaps. But if you want to build rapport, community and
>draw more folks into doing good work in this important business, its usually
>not a good idea to shoot those who are seeking information / advice. There's
>nothing wrong with being the one who is tilting at windmills, but there is
>something wrong with stomping on people while you're doing it.
>
>I don't want you to stop challenging Dennis, I just thought it's a good idea
>to do so in a way that isn't stigmatizing and divisive.
>
>All the best,
>
>Annamaria Feltracco
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Dennis Raphael" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 9:19 AM
>Subject: I'm Innocent!
>
>
>>  Vini, I went back to my original message -- below --.  You're right!
>>  It wasn't rude at all! Although I started to believe it from all the
>responses
>>  it elicited!
>>
>>  Do some people feel "guilty" about something?
>>
>>  ------------------------------------
>>
>>  >I strongly object to this strategy.
>>
>>  >First of all it is not child care's role to turn children against their
>parents
>>  or relatives who may be smokers.
>>
>>  >Secondly, childcare should not be a place where children become exposed
>to
>>  politicized messages.  If my kid came home from childcare singing
>anti-smoking
>>  songs the childcare would hear about it.
>>
>>  >Thirdly, our family does not smoke!
>>
>>  >Give these kids a break!!!
>>
>>  dennis raphael
>>  ---------------------------
>>
>>  Send one line: unsubscribe click4hp to: [log in to unmask] to unsubscribe
>>  See: http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html to alter your
>subscription
>
>Send one line: unsubscribe click4hp to: [log in to unmask] to unsubscribe
>See: http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html to alter your
>subscription

--
Michel O'Neill, Ph.D.

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Adresse Postale: Faculte des Sciences infirmieres; 4108-J Pavillon
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Localisation de mon nouveau bureau: Faculte des Sciences infirmieres;
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