Gayness , Multicultural Education, and the Community

Dennis Carlson

Gayness , Multicultural Education, and the Community

Jen

1. "In 1993, the gay rights movement claimed a major victory in the signing into law of a Minnesota bill that makes it illegal to discriminate against lesbians and gay men in employment and housing. Yet what got ignored in all the celebrating was a provision in the bill that prohibits teaching about homosexuality in the public schools"

  1) The first line of this quote is a very good step to moving in the right directions.  People that are gay are human, they should be able to work at what job they want and live where they want just like straight people can.

   2) The second sentence of this quote means that it is something that can not be talked about in school.  Students should hear about the riots to prevent gays from doing things that they want. Children should hear other people talk about it, not just their parents.  If children only hear their parents talk about gay and lesbian rights then they might grow up not having their own thoughts about it.

2."Be yourself no matter who or what you are."

  1) I believe that this quote is very important.  No matter who someone is, what their background is or if they are gay or straight, they should always act themselves because everyone is unique.

   2) If more people understood this quote then i feel like the world could be a better place.  No one can help the background they come from, or if they are gay or straight.  It is something that no one can change and people need to understand and accept it.

3." A male substitute teacher was greeted by one of the students as she shouted across her english classroom, that man is a faggot right?  Look at how he talks." ....." One young man remembers " when i was changing classes i had all the books in my hands looking down and walking up.  I'd hear someone mutter faggot and have my books knocked down.

   1) This is one quote that made me angry when i read it.  No one should be treated like this just because they are not straight.

    2)  My cousin who i went to high school with is gay.  I watched many students call her names and bump into her while walking in the hall.  Bullying someone that is gay is a serious problem and it effects how many people live their life.  Some students are afraid to come to school because they are called a faggot everyday.  Bullies are one reason that the quote "Be yourself no matter who or what you are" is very hard to live by.

This reading was one of the best ones we have read.  The author had very good points.  It is sad that people are treated very badly for things that they can not control.