Dennis Carlson: Multicultural Education, and Community                                                             Christina M.

Quotes:

1.  1. “This cleansing of gayness from the literary canon is often defended as an effort to maintain the reputation or “good name” of authors by not “outing” them. Yet such concern is, of course, another way of affirming that being gay is cause for a loss of respect”.

-          What I believe Carlson means by this quote is that if we don’t acknowledge that an author is gay as respect for their reputation, than we are saying that being gay is a shameful thing. It’s also what he refers to as “structuring silence”, those who don’t speak up about gay issues are part of the problem.

2.  2. “For example, it is now estimated that up to one-third of all adolescent suicide victims are gay, approximately one-quarter of all homeless youth in the United States are gay, and dropout and drug abuse rates among gay youth are likewise high (Gibson 1989)”.

-          This was somewhat of a shocking quote to read. Today we hear too often about disturbing rates like these. What I thought to be even more tragic was that this piece seems to have been written at least ten years ago, and much hasn’t changed. As a society we should have some along much farther since then.  

3.       3. “we have a responsibility as public educators in a democratic society to engage them in dialogue in which all voices get heard or represented and in which gay students and teachers feel free to “come out” and fine their own voices.

-          This was the perfect closing to a writing piece like this. As educators and role models to children, they set an example about norms in society. Children also spend a solid six hours in school a day, five days a week, adults who surround them during these six hours have an influence in their behavior. Teachers should make an environment that encourages everyone to be comfortable with themselves, which may include being gay. By changing the outlook of these young kids, they also change the outlook of our society in the future.

Questions/Comments/Points to Share:

This text was interesting to read through. I agreed with just about everything the author wrote about. He made very valid points and coming from someone who is gay, his argument (or opinion) was stronger than if it had come from someone who was not gay. The only thing that bothered me a bit about this reading was that it was written at least ten years ago. Even though what Carlson wrote was still informative, I would’ve liked reading something more up to date.  What I found to be funny and disturbing at the same time was the quote he included from Willard Waller that said “nothing seems more certain than that homosexuality is contagious.” I realize that is was written in 1932 but it’s still so absurd to me.