For the Speaking the unspeakable in forbidden places: addressing lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender equality in the primary school by Allan et al, blog post I decided to pick out quotes. The first quote that stood out to me is right in the beginning of the text. "The primary school is often thought of as a place of safety and innocence; a place where
childhood is both nurtured and sheltered, and attempts to address what are seen as
‘adult’ issues are sometimes seen as intrusions into or threats to this safety zone. In
this context, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) identities are made
absent in one sense through the fact that they are not addressed in formal school
contexts, while being made doubly present by the fact that they are taboo, and are
brought into being through the popular discourses of homophobia." This very long quote stood out to me because I believe it is very crucial to talk to children about these issues in hopes to change the future. This idea reminded me of a video I watched on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8TJxnYgP6D8 This video allows you to see kids reacting to gay marriage first hand. I didn't realize how strongly kids feel towards these kind of subjects, it is an amazing thing. I think it is important for kids to form their own personal opinions on gay marriage and LGBT's rather than being influenced by their parents, religion, or society.
The next quote I chose was after Laura performed an alternative "lesbian" Cinderella, then a boy asked Cindy aka Laura if she was really gay. After saying yes, this was how she felt. "That felt horrible
but I couldn’t avoid it, seeing as I was perfectly happy about answering all the other
questions and I was doing this for the very reason I was aware that we hadn’t spoken
much about lesbians ... so I wanted to present a positive lesbian to them who was
comfortable about being a lesbian." I chose this quote because although Cindy told the class the truth, she said she felt "horrible," but she also aid she was happy with answering questions and giving 'lesbian' a positive look. I had mixed feelings with this statement because her feelings are contradicting. Lesbian's shouldn't feel horrible expressing their sexual orientation. I felt bad for Laura, having to transform herself into someone else in order to express her true self. It is ironic because Laura was the real teacher and Cindy was the "pretend" character, but in the end Cindy was real and Laura was fake. Laura could not be herself without being herself, if that makes sense.
The last quote I chose is, "Their reaction made me feel very accepted and supported by them. Even [a] boy who had described gay as ‘minging’ wanted to be sure I knew that he didn’t think I was." I found this section of the text to be very important. Reading that once one girl speaking out that there is nothing wrong with being gay, that started a movement in their classroom. Soon everyone was speaking out about people they knew who were gay or lesbian; all of the kids had nothing but positive things to say. I found this to be so important because it is movements like this, with young kids, that can make a difference in this world. Children have a lot to say and think a lot; people just need to give them a chance to voice their opinion on these touchy, "adult" conversations.
A point I would like to bring up to the class is based off of the YouTube video I linked. What did you think of the kids reactions to those videos, to me it gave me faith in humanity. What is your opinion?
The next quote I chose was after Laura performed an alternative "lesbian" Cinderella, then a boy asked Cindy aka Laura if she was really gay. After saying yes, this was how she felt. "That felt horrible
but I couldn’t avoid it, seeing as I was perfectly happy about answering all the other
questions and I was doing this for the very reason I was aware that we hadn’t spoken
much about lesbians ... so I wanted to present a positive lesbian to them who was
comfortable about being a lesbian." I chose this quote because although Cindy told the class the truth, she said she felt "horrible," but she also aid she was happy with answering questions and giving 'lesbian' a positive look. I had mixed feelings with this statement because her feelings are contradicting. Lesbian's shouldn't feel horrible expressing their sexual orientation. I felt bad for Laura, having to transform herself into someone else in order to express her true self. It is ironic because Laura was the real teacher and Cindy was the "pretend" character, but in the end Cindy was real and Laura was fake. Laura could not be herself without being herself, if that makes sense. The last quote I chose is, "Their reaction made me feel very accepted and supported by them. Even [a] boy who had described gay as ‘minging’ wanted to be sure I knew that he didn’t think I was." I found this section of the text to be very important. Reading that once one girl speaking out that there is nothing wrong with being gay, that started a movement in their classroom. Soon everyone was speaking out about people they knew who were gay or lesbian; all of the kids had nothing but positive things to say. I found this to be so important because it is movements like this, with young kids, that can make a difference in this world. Children have a lot to say and think a lot; people just need to give them a chance to voice their opinion on these touchy, "adult" conversations.
A point I would like to bring up to the class is based off of the YouTube video I linked. What did you think of the kids reactions to those videos, to me it gave me faith in humanity. What is your opinion?
Your second quote about when the teacher said she felt "horrible" answering the question really hit me hard too. The fact that she did not feel comfortable in her own skin at that moment in time in front of a classroom of elementary school kids. It is just horrific because sadly she is not the only one to have to deal with this emotion. I bet every day, there are thousands of people who have to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI also chose the first quote to talk about in my blog post because I think it is important to talk about these issues with children. I agree with you that it could change the future if children are aware of these topics .
ReplyDeleteI also thought the point when the teacher said that giving the kids a positive image of a lesbian was important, she wanted to show that it was perfectly normal to be gay. We also chose the same video, I think it's the perfect example of the subject.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I mentioned your post in my blog. I also liked how you mentioned that children are very perceptive to these things. I truly believe that it is important for children to be taught of these relationships so that they grow into more understanding human beings.
ReplyDeleteAt a young age, children haven't learned of hatred on different sexuality unless they were taught to do so, or was never exposed to LGBT. Like how Samantha has stated about the children's reaction, it seems that they are at the age where GLBT hasn't effect their life yet.
ReplyDeletei really loved the connection with your first quote and the video that you shared with it. Watching the little kids reactions watching the gay proposals were awesome i lost it when one of the little boys said justin bieber asked to marry a guy hahaha
ReplyDeleteThe second quote you picked really is powerful because even though she has a chance to express who she is with others, she is still not fully comfortable with who she is. its heartbreaking because that is the whole reason she is expressing who she is but in order to do so she has to take on the persona of a fairytale character.
ReplyDelete