A 19-year-old first-year university student recently walked out of an anthropology lecture after a joke made by their professor struck a personal and cultural nerve.
During a class focused on belief systems, the professor made a light-hearted comment about ancestor veneration — a practice deeply rooted in many cultures. Referring to it as “spiritual Netflix,” the professor joked about the idea of deceased relatives watching the living, prompting laughter from most of the class.
But not everyone found it funny.
The student, who identifies as half Japanese, explained that in their culture, honoring ancestors is a sacred tradition. “We visit graves, make offerings, and observe rituals like Obon,” the student said. “Hearing that reduced to a joke made me really uncomfortable.”
Instead of confronting the situation publicly, the student quietly left the lecture.
Later, the professor emailed the student, stating that walking out had been disruptive and that the student should have addressed any concerns during office hours. In response, the student shared their perspective via email but was left questioning whether their reaction had been appropriate.
Classmates remain divided. Some support the student’s decision, recognizing the discomfort caused by the joke. Others argue the student may have been overly sensitive.
“I wasn’t trying to be dramatic,” the student said. “I just didn’t feel respected.”
Online, reactions have been mixed. Some users on Reddit sympathized, stating that jokes should never come at the expense of someone’s cultural beliefs or identity. Others emphasized the importance of open dialogue between students and professors.
Whether the student’s response was justified or not, the situation highlights the ongoing challenges around cultural sensitivity and respect in academic spaces.
