Carlson Think Piece

Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community

Carlson

Peter Siner

QUOTE #1

"Public schools in particular have often promoted such "normalizing" conceptualizations of community that are based on defining a cultural center or "norm" and positioning class, gender, race, and sexual Others at the margins."

I disagree with this statement, while I agree schools mainly teach the social “norm” I do not believe everyone that isn’t white is simply thrown in the margins. People with ethnic backgrounds are found in almost every modern text book, we no longer only discuss whites. As far as teaching about things that classify as the norm or categorizing things as a norm actually makes sense, after all homosexuality isn’t normal if you follow what normal actually means. Normal- conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural. While I don’t find gays or lesbians to be wrong in their actions I do think it is quite obvious it isn’t the mainstream way of life. The majority of people are not gay therefore they set the standard of heterosexuality which homosexuals stray from. There are way too many things to discuss that don’t follow the “norm” of society, the normal school year is only about 6 months, there are curriculums that must be followed and talking about everyone’s way of life isn’t one of them. This is another example of a few people wanting to change the mindsets of the majority. I believe gays should have equal rights including the ability to form a union however I do not think there should be open discussions in elementary schools or middle schools about homosexuality specifically but a broader discussion of how everyone deserves equal respect.

QUOTE #2

"The objective of classroom discourse is thus not so much to achieve consensus on one ‘true’ or ‘objective’ depiction of reality, but rather to clarify differences and agreements, word toward coalition-building across differences when possible, and build relationships based on caring and equity.”

This quote really sums up what must be done in the school systems. English, math, history, science: these are all extremely important aspects of our schooling careers but what about being a human. I think being well-rounded and understanding of other cultures and ideas is equally as important. You cannot teach someone to think being gay is ok, you can’t even teach someone to not be racist because unfortunately these things can be passed down through generations, you can however teach someone the value of respect for others. If schools taught a unified sense of respect it would have a great impact on many people.

Quote #3"

“If students in the school community can be kept shielded from "bad influences" and provided only "positive" representations of community life, that they can be molded into "good", "well adjusted" citizens and workers”

This quote is very unrealistic. Of course if someone lives under a rock and is only told the “good things” and is sheltered from anything bad then they would become good people. We live on the planet Earth however, and in this world we have influences from family, television, movies, books, the internet, friends, the radio, even teachers. All of which in some way have or continue to spread what may be considered “bad influence.” We watched a short clip of Ace Ventura in which he kissed a man and so he excessively washes and brushes his teeth, are we supposed to ignore the fact that this is comedy and a reaction of straight man or are we supposed to be sensitive about everything and call this ignorant and a disgrace. I think some people need to relax, there will always be disagreements. If the clip showed “Ace Ventura” using ethnic slurs then of course it would be inappropriate and racist, this however was funny. Society has always had an impact on the world and I don’t see that changing. If we can make our students realize that they must respect others and refrain from making racist or discriminatory remarks we will see a very different America from the one we live in.