Managing an unpopular opinion in a controversial political issue discussion

ABSTRACT

Controversial political issues are, by definition and design, places where students engage with others holding differing opinions. Yet classrooms often reflect U.S. society, which is increasingly segregated by political ideology. This article examines the case of Jake, a young African American man who participated in a high school discussion of same-sex marriage as the only person in the room who believed it should not be allowed. Using discursive psychology, the author analyzes how Jake navigated the challenges he faced in class and in a follow-up interview. Jake was remarkably adept at maintaining a consistent opposition while presenting an identity as open-minded. He externalized his views and expressed opinions in ways that were acceptable to his listeners. Jake’s case helps us better understand students’ talk, their reluctance to talk, and the linguistic resources they draw on when things get tough.

KEYWORDS:

• Controversial political issues
• discourse analysis
• discussion
• high school
• same-sex marriage

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank “Ms. Carson” for agreeing to take on this project and her students, particularly “Jake,” for so willingly agreeing to participate.

Notes

1. All names are pseudonyms.

2. The United States v. Windsor (2013) decision that would nullify parts of the Defense of Marriage Act had not yet been decided.

3. Jake’s speech appears here verbatim. Typical discourse analysis marks indicating inflection have been removed for ease of reading.

4. Discourse analysis marks indicating inflection have been removed for ease of reading. Spaces in the transcript indicate the flow of the conversation. In this example, Jake inserted the word “yes” during a brief pause in my sentence.

5. The marks [] indicate an interruption.