Safe Spaces
August
HyperLink: I found this article very interesting. I think LGBT acceptance is becoming more controversial in today’s society and is a tough subject to discuss. Safe Spaces takes the subject and exposes the faults of this issue in the classroom and the institution of education itself. Right from the beginning August talks about ideology and how educators and students bring their life experiences (ideologies) with them into the classroom.
This model (left) was used in a previous class I had taken and the way I understand how ideology works was based on something like this image. For this particular article however, I don't think the bottom of the image is relate able but the top is. All of those things, education, media, religion, and politics create ideologies and reinforce them into society. August is trying to make aware and offer up a change to stop the reinforcement of LGTB ideologies, particularly of non-acceptance in the classroom. Though the article is offering a change in the classroom, the problems occur with individuals bringing these beliefs into the classroom. However, most reinforce their ideologies or beliefs unconsciously in the classroom.
Above is the banned episode of Post Cards From Buster, Sugartime as mentioned in the essay. This is the perfect example as to how ideology in our society works stemming from the media, as I discussed above. Because having two moms wasn't the norm of society it was deemed unsuitable for children to view.
In education it is important "to validate children." It would be the same if we were talking about race as we did last week and language. When these things are not addressed it makes a child feel left out. As an educator, teaching a child to be the best the can be in our society includes expanding their knowledge of the world and like race, homosexuality is something that needs to be addressed. The article suggests a fix in subtle ways, for example with book selection in the classroom and redirecting words or phrases that may hurt another child's feelings. It is the same as incorporating language into the classroom. When a child can identify with something (The Mirror) they feel included and when they can't, they can be exposed to the world through The Window. Human Experience.
Talking Point/Things to Share: I really hadn't thought of this being such a substancial issue in schools before reading this article, I can admit I was ignorant to the subject. But after reading, I agree with educating our children about the world and the accurate teaching of human experience. I think everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and can do so whatever they choose. However, I think it would be wrong to erase or exclude knowledge of LGBT because that is apart of today's society. Like gender, race and language, sexual orientation is just another piece in becoming an educated citizen in today's world starting within the classroom.
Nicole - I want to comment on your Talking Point. I think I too, was probably just ignoring it. But, it does need to be talked about - even in elementary classrooms. August shared about the family structure lessons, that would be such a simple way to do it effortlessly. Children go to school to be educated, and it's our responsibility as teachers to do just that. We don't avoid other touchy subjects that some don't agree with. Some people are still denying that dinosaurs existed, and think the world was created 6,000 years ago, and others think that the Holocaust was a conspiracy. But, it is true and relevant, so I think that we have to teach it.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole. I like how you make connections to previous classes. The "superstructure" does affect the way children think, though they are not aware of it. Just like some teachers do not realize that something they said hurt a student's feelings. I do not believe this social issue should be directly addressed to young students. Rather, adults should ensure that the kids have a safe, welcoming environment where they learn to include each other in activities and share. Older youth, on the other hand, must be taught that all people have differences, but there are also many similarities that are overlooked. These youth are so used to focusing on their "difference" that they forget that they share many of the same qualities as their peers. They just need to be reminded and see the closeness of character.
ReplyDelete