in which I take the high road...

Dear Dr. ________________,

I have decided to withdraw from the Disability Seminar. I would like to thank you for raising my awareness of this important area of diversity and I plan to continue my studies in this area independently.

Unfortunately, due to recent personal experiences, I am unable to engage in a discussion implicitly comparing selective abortion to eugenics in a professional, objective, and unemotional manner. I would urge the class to consider that selective abortion is a very difficult personal decision that individuals and families struggle with and it is not one made lightly nor lived with easily. I believe it is simplistic, self-righteous, and irresponsible to liken a systematic, state-driven extermination or sterilization of a group of people to a difficult choice made by families that must judge what is best for them based on their health, finances, relationships, and ability to care for a special needs child. It seems that the class may need to consider that it is not our place to stand in judgment, but instead to consider how such an impossible decision can be made and what they might do should they ever be faced with it (or how they will interact with clients that are facing or have faced such a decision). I believe that, as professionals, it is our place to learn and model empathy, rather than make blanket value judgments.

Again, I would like to emphasize that my decision to withdraw from the class is not due to my disagreement with the viewpoints presented, but rather my inability at this time to engage objectively and professionally in this particular discussion.

Thank you,

drM, M.A.

p.s. Kiss my ass