Talking Points # 3

Dennis Carlson
"Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community"

1. "It is noteworthy that no state currently recognizes gays and lesbians as legitimate minority or cultural groups to be considered in textbook adoption or to be included in multicultural
education; and a number of states explicitly prohibit teaching about homosexuality." (236)

This quote is important for the basis of the text. The author is showing that gay people have basically been disregarded. The schools will not partake in teaching about homosexual culture because they are afraid of it. The schools do not even recognize gay people which makes it more difficult for homosexual students to be in a school environment.

2. "It is now estimated that up to one-third of all adolescent suicide victims are gay, approximately one-quarter of all homeless youth in the United States are gay, and dropout and drug abuse rates among gay youth are likewise high."(239)

This quote really made me feel terrible. Gay people have been alienated in the school systems but I had no idea that the problems resulted in such horrible outcomes. Teachers and counselors should surely be looking out for any students, no matter what the sexual identity is.

3. "We cannot and should not attempt to impose "politically correct" beliefs
0n students; but we have a responsibility as public educators in a democratic society to engage them in a dialogue in which all voices get heard or represented and in which gay students and teachers feel free to "come out" and find their own voices." (252)

This quote is very significant to all aspiring teachers. Everyone has a voice and the teacher should not belittle someone just because of being gay. Also all the students should have the right to know that there are different cultures out there in the world and not just the politically correct culture the higher powers want you to know about.

I found this article very helpful. The article explained how being gay is basically looked down upon in the public school system. The schools do not even want to acknowledge that it exists. This is why some student feel so outcasted that they result to drastic measures. It is also sad to think that some teachers do not even get a fair chance because they are gay. They could be an awesome teacher but some students and colleagues could show no respect to them.

I kept thinking about S.C.A.A.M.P. and the culture of power while reading this article. This article showed me that people really do value certain things in America. It does not matter how good of a teacher you are, if you are gay, you could possibly be discriminated against. Gay is also somewhat new if you think about. Hopefully with more and more time gay people will be treated equally and "normalized" into culture . Do you guys think with more time gay people will truly be accepted? Or will hate increase?