Talking Point #3 - Carlson

i really do not feel like doing this blog. i dont want to be a negative nancy but i am still not thrilled about blogging. 

Gayness, Mulitculutral Education and Community 

Dennis Carlson

Authors argument Carlson argues that its the teachers job to educate people that individuality is ok (just like our parents should be teaching us);and to not accept it would be wrong. People  should learn to roll with differences and not suppress the people who are different. 

1. "Three techniques of normalization and (hence) marginalization have been of primary importance in this regard: (1) the erasure of gayness in the curriculum (2) the "closeting" and "witch hunting" of gay teachers"

the only reason i chose this quote was because of the second point. Schools were keeping gayness in its "place" by not allowing gay teachers to be who they are. witch hunting gays because of who they are just doesn't make sense. we are supposed to be teaching our children that being different is ok and that we should embrace it; so what is a school system closeting gay teachers going to do for them? i feel like its just hypocritical. i'm sure the teachers aren't going to prance around the classroom yelling fabulousss, i'm sure they would be professional just like every other teacher (maybe even the ones who are gay but haven't come out of the closet yet! oh my that is a possibility now isn't it?)

2. All of this takes a considerable toll. ... among gay youth are likewise high"

All of the pressure  on gays and especially the youth gays of today have lead to a higher rate of  suicide. i think that its terrible that children have resorted to suicide because people don't accept the fact that they are different. no person, especially a child should feel like death is the only way to escape the scorn of society. it makes me want to cry.

3. "The president of district 24 local school board in Queens declared, among other things, the board would not 'accept two people of the same sex engaged in deviant sexual practices as 'families' ' "

WHYYY!!!! that is so frustrating. i feel like a family should consist of people supporting other members of their families. screw this president. pardon my french. why do people have to be so close minded. so what? if a child is being cared for and loved by two grown ups then what is wrong with that? a child could have 2 opposite sexed parents and be neglected and unloved and thats not good at all. i think if a child is loved and is taken care of then who cares.

fun fact: as i was watching the discovery channel while i was writing this blog, there was a show about mid-evil torture devices and one was called the pear. it was a pear shaped piece of metal that was expanded. for not believing in god or putting his name to mud it was put in the mouth and screwed open until the pressure broke the jaw. for homosexuality it was put wherever the "dirty deed" was done.

even then homosexuality was not accepted and people were actually punished in crazy ways if they were caught. crazy!!!