Let's Put the Professionalism back in Gracious Professionalism

[Ben Mitchell]

I am posting on top of my own post due to a number of irate responses I have recieved with regards to my responses to this thread. I can only guess at the feedback that Katy has received.

As I understand the content of her message (and Katy please feel free to correct me if I am incorrect) was not one about disagreements with rules, or ship dates, or FIRST staff issues, or how regionals are run.

The issue is one of the mentality and social norms that drive the subculture of FIRST. It is not a localized issue. Ironically people have been critical of her concerns because it is not specific. Her concepts were vague precisely because it is not a specific problem - it is a generalized shift in the construct of what is deemed acceptable behavior. This construct seems to be migrating away from a transparent policy of opinions and towards an ideology in which dissent and discussion is not welcomed or condoned, and the concept of Gracious Professionalism has become a battle cry to squash any dissenting opinions.


The theme of "If you do not agree with FIRST you are being ungracious!" seems to becoming more common.

I would reply with "If you are agreeing with FIRST without a thoughtful, critical evaluation, then you are being unprofessional. If you use the slogan of Gracious Professionalism as a weapon to judge others and make them afraid to voice themselves, rather than a tool used to live your own life, then you are not only unprofessional, but harmful to others."

What would Grandma think of that?