Gayness, Multicultural Education and Community

This article by Dennis Carlson argues that there shouldn't be a divide in speaking about gayness freely. He says that it is not talked about in schools and that it should be acceptable to talk about gayness considering that we are living in a new time and new times call for new and free expressions.

" GLBTQQI kids in support groups report they are afraid they are out of their minds, full of sin/sickness, doomed to dress as transvestites, molest children, hate the opposite sex, or contract AIDS." When I read this I felt so bad for these kids. Its sad to think that this is how these kids are forced to feel about themselves. Individuality is a beautiful thing and for that to be compromised because its a "tip-toe" subject gets me angry. I have 2 cousins and 2 uncles on my dads side who are gay and they are some of the funniest people I know. Growing up, I know for my cousins, was extremely hard. I remember them crying at my aunts house because they would get called a faggot or a fairy. I look at them now and they both work for Disney, one on ice and one as a dancer. The tables have turned now because the kids who used to make fun of them claim that they are friends because they know that my cousins actually made it somewhere and held onto their beliefs and sexuality.

 "(black, working class,female, homosexual, etc.) are dis empowered and represented as deviant, sick neurotic, criminal, lazy, lacking in intelligence, and other ways abnormal." This is the type of "coward shit" people say because they are ignorant and cannot accept that people can be different and be successful. I can't even begin to describe  how aggravating this quote is to me. I truly don't understand people who speak like this. Its words like these that make our country weaker, is it really that hard to be accepting? I haven't experienced this type of segregation personally, but it still bothers me. I know many blacks and homosexuals and I think of them and their struggles when I read things like this. Its upsetting and pointless, things need to change, if "America" is such a "melting pot" then why is there still so much bullshit?!

"English Literature anthologies still go out of their way to avoid acknowledging that certain famous writers were gay like Walt Whitman, Gertrude Stein, James Baldwin and Shakespeare." I thought about this quote for a little while because I remember reading Shakespeare in High School and we talked about his biography and the idea of him being gay was never spoken about. I feel like if we called it like it was from the start it would be more widely accepted and those who are gay would have role models to look up to. In a perfect world that would be a win win situation, however this is the world we live in today. 

More and more gayness is becoming more accepted in our society today, but in reality it shouldn't take this long. Honestly who cares, Whether your gay or straight your still a person with thoughts, feelings and beliefs. How is that any danger or threat to someone? Those who feel uncomfortable around it or talking about it, well advice for you, GET OVER IT! I'm sorry if I am ranting but I just get so aggravated because I look at my friends who are gay and I love them for they are as a person and what they contribute as my friends, not because they are gay. Also as far as gay marriage goes, let them get married for god sakes if they want to. Its their personal happiness not yours and as far as raising a family, I know some gay adults who would make better parents then a straight married couple. UHHH can't we all just get along, really its not that hard!

Talking Points* Multilingual Issues

Well Well, where do I begin? To start off I envy those who are multilingual. That truly is a gift. I find it funny how some people perceive those who speak more than one language, or better yet English is not a predominant language, to be slow learners. When we look at Rodriguez's article. I know personally I felt for him throughout the reading. He was not crying out for attention, however he was saying " listen, this is how it is, this is what I went through and after all that I realized that I gave up alot to be considered within the parameters of "social o.k.". Heres the thing, that is NOT okay. No one should have to give up what they believe, their customs, their identity for anything. Yes, I feel that a public and private life can be separate but not by force. Rodriguez had to give up his cultural customs and beliefs just to be accepted in society and more comfortable in school. He knew it wasn't going to be easy in the least bit, but he had an understanding that if he wanted to make it anywhere, unfortunately he would have to give up his private cultural individuality. He needed to remember that no matter how much he gave up his family would always be there and he would always have his culture in his heart. Being a white female from a middle class I really have no idea what it is like to conform in such a way where my cultural background and beliefs will be pushed aside. I was raised Catholic, my whole family, aunts and uncles, claim to be devout Catholics so when I decided to be more in tune with the practices of Hinduism I felt sort of out casted from my family because they found it appauling that I don't believe in God. First of all they didn't do any research and automatically assumed. As part of my religion I am encouraged to embrace other religious beliefs, so I learned to adapt. I didn't conform to the ideas of my family or the Catholic Church, but I did respect their values and embraced their beliefs and teachings. Today my mom is a little more understanding of my choice, but still pushes me to be Catholic because that's the "path" she supposes I am to walk down. In actuality I feel that there is no path and that the only path we have is the one behind us that we have made, we create our own paths as we learn and grow and if everyone was to conform to what is considered "ideal" we would all be on straight aways!

Talking Points

I read " Data show racial bias persists in America" by Salim Muwakkil. It is said that there is a racial bias still existing in our world today. It is something that will never completely diminish. One of the biggest issues is the notion that the white race sees this going on but does nothing about it. The answer that they don't care is not completely accurate, they are more negligent to what is going on. The whites are in power and have been for a while therefore generation after generation it has become more of a routine thing than anything else. It in no way makes it right, but it does make it reality. 

Jobs have become a major factor when dealing with race. According to the article, when asked if it was felt that racial minorites in this country have equal job oppertunities as whites, 55% of whites polled yes. " The study found that white and black job seekers  had the appropriate qualifications and experience for the position, whites were far more likely to be called back than blacks." Once again this is not something done on purpose, rather an issue that has just been swept under the rug and become routine.  

The next reading was "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh.  She feels that our whole lives we, as whites, have been taught the privileges of being white subconsciously. The only way to play on the same level is to recognize what has happened over the year and make a change that will last. Privlige is a system that should be equally balanced out. It should be used as a scale, a means for a level playing ground. When that "knapsack" is unpacked then everything is laid out on the table. ITs almost like animal instinct, this racial issue we keep dealing with, yes truthfully so it wont end over night. Thats our biggest problem though, we want change immediately and if we dont get that change, we don't bother. Things in life take time and issues built up over centuries take longer so why not pick away at it today!?