Post #10

Queering Our Schools

Quotes

After reading Queering Our Schools there were many important points that I thought should be talked about. Starting with, "The cornerstone of nurturing classrooms and schools is community, where everyone talks out problems, gets to know each other, and feels that they are part of something larger than themselves. Part of this is emphasizing empathy, which is at the heart of both solidarity and social justice teaching, and thus at the heart of creating safe spaces for everyone." It is important to create a safe place so that everyone feels comfortable, for example having adults around if any of the students need someone to talk about gender and sexuality or anything else they may have questions about or just need someone to talk to. "What about enlarging a study of the Harlem Renaissance to explore the lives and impact of such LGBTQ poets, authors, and musicians as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Angelina Weld Grimké, Ethel Waters, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Josephine Baker? What about including the Lavender Scare in the study of the McCarthy era? Or the Stonewall Riots as part of the political foment of the late ’60s? Or considering implications of the campaign for LGBTQ acceptance in the military in the context of questioning current U.S. military strategy?" I felt this was a great idea by involving LGBTQ into the curriculum and classroom readings to learn about the history of their lives. It is good for both students who aren't as familiar with the topic and with students who already are. "When you invite kids to talk openly and ask questions about gender and sexuality, you have to be ready for whatever happens. It’s trickier than geometry." It may be tricky talking about this topic sometimes, especially depending on what age level you are talking to but it is important that the students feel they have someone they can talk to about this and know they can always come up to you if they have any questions. Students will probably feel more welcomed and accepted when you talk about LGBTQ in the classrooms. 

A point I would want to share with the class is the question, "How do we create classrooms and schools where each child, parent, and staff member’s unique, beautiful self is appreciated and nurtured?" I feel that this is a very important question and quote that should be talked about more, to come up with ways to make it happen. 

https://www.city-journal.org/article/queering-the-schools#:~:text=This%20movement%20to%20%E2%80%9Cqueer,mirrored%20the%20civil%20rights%20movement.