Talking Point 3

Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community
Dennis Carlson
Premise-
Gayness
Community
Abnormal/normal
Identity
Queerness
Silent
Transition
Worth
Dominance
Classification
Isolation
Harassment
Intimidation
Image
Worldview
Tradition
Respect

Argument-
Carlson argues that public school systems need to build new democratic, multicultural communities, where identity is recognized, inequities are challenged and all voices are heard and truths understood. Curriculums containing and representing these differences should replace the silencing and invisibility practices in order to keep a sense of whole community without attacking opinions from one side of the other.
Evidence-
1
“At the level of state educational policy, it is noteworthy that no state currently recognizes gays and lesbians as legitimate minority or cultural groups to be considered in the textbook adoption or to be included in multicultural education.” When educational systems across America promote the idea that being gay is because for a loss of respect it creates negative emphasis and eventually discrimination first hand. Not recognizing something at all is worse then literally putting it down because you are promoting that it has no worth.
2
“Be yourself no matter whom or what you are.” If this idea is expressed from the start of an individual’s education then safety for minorities and acceptance from others will prosper. Children should be taught to be themselves and that whoever or whatever that may be will be accepted and cared for. Because this idea is rarely promoted, minorities tend to lash out because they are not accepted for who they are.
3
“With the collapse of the taboo, straight people can for the first time really listen to gay lives, change their views and in turn express publicly their own feelings.” The more ideas are exposed the easier it is to accept and understand them.
Comments-
This reading was truly eye opening to the proof of restriction placed upon promoting equality and a few small changes could create a community where all are welcomed and cared for. Many good points and subjects where brought up, but I feel many would have been made more understandable with personal examples of specific instances.
I believe that Carlson’s piece relates to may readings of the past in that it focuses on ways to better support and promote minorities so that a community of equality can be developed. I had never recognized how many educational curriculums deny gayness etc. by simply hiding it so that it will not be exposed. This made me realize how simple adding it into the curriculum could spark an age where gays and other minorities are part of the so-called “norm” which individuals are though to accept.