In Gerri August’s
article, Safe Spaces, she discusses
the importance of introducing LGBT topics and discussions in the classroom. She
goes on to say how teachers especially play an important role in introducing
this topic to their students and how to respond when students use anti-LGBT
language. While reading this article, I immediately thought of times in middle
school and high school when students would say things such as “that’s so gay”
to describe something that was uncool or lame. Using these words in a negative
manner not only hurts and insults those of the LGBT community, but also gives
people the idea that being lesbian or gay is wrong. While reading this article,
I also thought of Rodriguez’s article, Aria,
and how he had to give up a part of himself in order to fit in with society. In
August’s article, she gave examples of how students had to hide who they were
in the classroom and how they often skipped a class to avoid feeling
uncomfortable. The students were basically giving up a part of themselves to
fit in with the idea of societal “norms.”
I also got angry when
reading this article when it told stories of how teachers were “reprimanded”
for reading books about the different types of families that exist in the
world. My mind was blown when reading about how “seven-year-old Marcus was sent
to the principal’s office and assigned in-school suspension for using the word “gay”
in school.” (95) Marcus was not using the word in a negative manner, but was
instead telling another student about his family. Punishing Marcus for using
this language portrays being gay in a negative manner and also makes Marcus
think that something is wrong with his family.
I think this article is very important and
that anyone who is considering a career in teaching should read it. Learning
different strategies of handling the use of anti-LGBT language in the classroom
will be very useful when we are in our own classrooms one day. I feel that our
generation will be the ones to change how our society thinks. When we become
teachers, I think that we will feel comfortable with discussing certain topics,
such as race or sexual orientation, because we have grown up in a diverse
world.
Talking Point: While
reading both August and Rodriguez’s articles, I thought of the SCWAAMP activity
that we did in class and how they relate to straightness, whiteness, and
American-ness. It made me think of how the people with power usually fall into
more than one of these categories. Do you think that our generation will be
more accepting and welcoming to those who are not seen to have the “privilege
of power?” Will people still have to give up or hide a part of them that does
not fit in with mainstream society?
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI like how you mention that it is our generation that will create change within society. I agree completely with this idea, in the past society was 'sheltered' to the conversation of LGBT concerns and issues. In recent years we as a society have made significant progress towards the rights and equality for LGBT students as well as members within our communities.I think the issue will still have critics and prejudices, but if we keep fighting for equality for all and educating those who think otherwise we will be doing our job as educators!
~Karen
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and you made some great points throughout it! I agree with you that our generation will create and change society. We have the power to create our future and this brings up the question that Dr. Bogad often asks in class, "What kind of teacher do you want to be?" In this day and age we do not want to be the type of teachers that ignore the aspects of LGBT but embrace them! Nice Job!
Excellent connections between Rodriguez and SCWAAMP.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI like how you connected "Aria" and "Safe Spaces" In both cases people had (have) to give up a part of who they are. It is not fair that anyone, but especially a child, has to give up a part of themselves to "fit in." I agree with you-many of the points made in this article infuriated me. The phrase that kept popping in my head when I was reading the article was "No child left behind." Yet, if they are LGBT, or have two mommys or two daddys they can't talk about it. If there's anything I've learned from the FNED class so far is that we have our worked cut out for us because we may be the one thing that could change the lives of our students.
Great job! ~Dorothy