Talking Point 3

Dennis Carlson: Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community
Premise:
· Absence
· Shame
· Silent
· Invisible
· Ashamed
· Afraid/Fear
· Cultural diversity
· Sexual identity
· Schooling in a changing world
· Abnormal society
· Normal society
· Marginalization
· Terms: “gay” “gayness” “queer”
· Disempowerment
· Selective tradition
· Structuring silences
· Homosexual = disease
· Heterosexual
Author’s Argument:
Carlson argues that American culture is being reconstructed in numerous ways, many not for the best. Communities are made up of many people, who have different beliefs and express themselves differently. Everyone has a right to their identity and should not be ashamed of what others say/think. He is also arguing that in public schools, students are taught that normalization is the only way. Carlson’s overall argument is that many individuals are taught to keep their opinions silent and to just “stay in the closet.” Implying that being different is a bad thing. And Carlson disagrees with this; he argues that this way of thinking is incorrect. This is all an act of marginalization, as Carlson puts it. He wants a change in society where one can freely be open and not lose their identity due to a different view.
Evidence:
1. Many students in public school systems are taught that the topic of gayness is to be kept in a private place and should remain invisible. On page 236 Carlson addresses this by stating three important forms of marginalizing, which include excluding any “gayness” topics in the curriculum, keeping “gay” teachers quiet or out of the classroom, and the verbal and physical intimidation of gay teachers and students (236). Also teachers who were known as being gay were dismissed from their jobs (237).
2. On pages 236 – 237 Carlson introduces how in the world/society being different is covered up. He goes on to say that many text books purposely keep away from topics of homosexuality, except in a health book where it has been said that being homosexual is a disease. Along with this is says “it should hardly be surprising that major textbook publishers avoid gayness like it’s a plague (236).”This just proves how society drives away from this issue, thus creating a structuring silence.
3. Carlson also allows for the reader to hear what Willard Waller has to say. Pages 237 – 239 are where one can find how Waller views those who are different, or those who are homosexual. He feels that they are negative in society and should be banished from schools. And he has several points as to why he thinks this.
Questions/Comments/Points to Share:
I feel that in this reading that Carlson is trying to voice his opinion in favor of those who are different/ homosexual. Which is unusual in society, many topics on this issue are “hushed” and not allowed in certain places in society. Personally I have no problem whit a homosexual individual and I believe that everyone should be treated the same regardless of their sexual orientations or urges. Being different makes an individual who they are and allows them to have an identity. This reading can be related very much to Johnson and S.C.W.A.A.M.P. in the ways that this issue is kept silence because it is not openly accepted in society. And it is an issue that many individuals chose to simply ignore and continue on with everyday life. With Straightness being one of the topics of S.C.W.A.A.M.P., it makes this fit in too. Since many have to keep their sexual identities quiet to keep their job, leaving many to lose their identity by saying they are straight. I find this unfair, this world is slowly falling apart and diversity is becoming more popular in our country especially and I see a huge difference in my views from my parents’. I think it is just that younger generations are more accepting and opening to these difficult and diverse issues that are arising in society.
This reading was really a good topic for us as teachers to be to be exposed to. Because I found it to be very interesting and appealing to the profession I have chosen to study. If a coworker of mine in the future were to be of a homosexual preference, I would not judge them or reveal their secret. But I feel as if this issue is really getting out of hand, there are many issues that most Americans or even individuals world wide seem to run from. This results in an even bigger problem for the present and future generations.