Full on argument with the history teacher.....

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The subject is what the title says. I was in class today and my history teacher asked me what was meant by the phrase "Flottenpolitik was an umbrella rather than a magic wand" I said that I didn't know what that meant he then said why don't I know so I said well Flottenpolitik wasn't an umbrella it was a German strategy to develop battleships. (The argument comes now) He started shouting and asked me why I was so pedantic and determined to undermine his authority. I said I didn't want to undermine his authority but that I didn't understand what he was talking about. He then said I was a Vulcan as I'm so literal (this got a few laughs from the class and I don't like being laughed at). I told him to shut up and from here he spent ten minutes shouting telling me how disrespectful I am. I didn't mean to be disrespectful.

My questions are: was this his fault or my fault and has anything like this (doesn't have to be the history teacher) ever happened to anyone else? (If so feel free to share).

I am so sorry you had such an uncomfortable day in class today. I hope I am not presuming too much here, but was your trouble understanding the teacher's question related to the metaphor he used? I know some Aspies have trouble with figurative language, and that question would have made no sense in a literal interpretation.
If that guess is correct, your teacher is in the wrong, probably due to a lack of training on some of the common traits of Asperger's. He may not have meant to argue, but he probably did not understand that the wording of the question was a problem.
Before my son was diagnosed, I recall trying to explain to him that his father was the decision maker in the house. I used the term "king of the castle." Trey was SO MAD at me because we do not live in a castle, we have no moat, his father does not have a throne, and we live in a republic, not a monarchy. All I could think was "REALLY? Are you messing with me, kid?"
Of course, I know better now.
Sometimes it takes us NTs a bit to catch on. Educate your teacher, or have a counselor or parent do it.

Your presumption is correct I didn't and still don't understand how someone could liken the impacts of a military strategy to an umbrella. The story of your son is somewhat similar to my predicament.

I think the "not a magic wand" part meant that developing the battleships would not solve all German problems. Still not sure what he meant by an umbrella. MAybe he was trying to say it was not very effective. Might need more context to get a better clue.

Military strategy liekened to umbrela I am thinking of it stopping rain of shells or artillery

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

Here's my take. It looks like your teacher didn't realize that you didn't understand the metaphor, and may have perceived what you said as a sarcastic and overly literal comment intended to get a laugh from the class and take away from the discussion topic.

That being said, the teacher is responsible for maintaining composure at all times. In no way should the teacher have shouted at you or called you a Vulcan. He is undermining his own authority when he does that, and it's not fair to you. However, your teacher is still an authority figure (whether or not he acts like one) and I don't think you needed to tell him to shut up.

I think the most important thing is what can be done to make sure that you and your teacher have a good relationship going forward. Would you feel comfortable approaching your teacher and saying "I didn't mean to undermine you today. I sometimes have trouble understanding analogies, but I find German history fascinating and would like to hear more from you about how Flottenpolitik can be likened to an umbrella rather than a magic wand. Please understand that I'm trying to understand, and I would prefer if you didn't make fun of me or yell at me in front of the class."

Perhaps you need to tell this proff. outside of class that you do not process metaphors very well. If you have a diagnosis on record & your school is aware of it then by all means let him know of it too.

I struggle with a proff. in university who loves to teach using jokes based mostly on pop culture. He's an incredible proff. and knows his stuff but his style of teaching just eludes me at time.

He did become a lot more conscious of what he said after I reminded him after class that some of us are not from the US so we have no idea what the hell the snooki reference meant in relation to ancient egyptian mummification practices.

It was a misunderstanding that turned into a big mess.

The professor was using metaphors to describe the German plans. I'm guessing he meant that it was a group of policies clumped together (like a person under an umbrella) instead of quick fix (magic wand).

It's understandable that you did not understand because people with AS don't always get metaphors.

It was inappropriate for him to call you a vulcan.

It was inappropriate for you to tell him to shut up.

I would suggest that you see him during his office hours, apologize for being disrespectful and telling him to shut up, and explain that as someone with aspergers, you have difficulty understanding metaphors and other figurative language. If you are documented with the disability office, you could also ask for their help, but I would try to handle this one without getting extra people involved.

I have NT friends who don't get the metaphors I use.

As an adult and a professional your teacher should have a lot more self control. I think you should have someone else talk to your teacher for u. I know when I try to communicate something to my teachers it comes out all wrong. If a miscommunication between u two turned into a yelling match before, there is a good chance it could happen again.

If it's any consolation, I don't understand your teacher's question either. Does he know about your AS? If so, it's really unprofessional for him to tease you in front of the class because of how your brain is wired.

Oh, and I'd just like to say that I am guessing on this, as I have no idea what "Flottenpolitik" is.
Sorry

Adolphaxxx