Go temperategoddss for the uplifting advice. I've found that many of my professors obviously come from a certain theoretical orientation (most of the folks here are Marxists so I'm getting lots of info about that) and have certain ideas that interest them (like race and politics or gender). Maybe try to figure out the professor's orientation and frame your arguement in that way (for example Marxism looks at power struggles and such). A good hint to figure it out is look at how he frames his racism discussions...what does he think the causes are: political, economic, gender etc. The work you are interested in is becoming more and more relevant even if you are experiencing some of the anti-technology feelings that lots of us social scientists have. Don't let the criticisms get you down, they are an opportunity for growth and wouldn't you rather someone question you now instead when you are getting ready to defend? Oh and ditto to everything temperategoddss said.