This is our first blog for the new Walden Univ. masters ECE course. This course, EDUC-6357-6 Diversity, Development, and Learning has been a great eye opener for me thus far. Over the past few weeks I've really had to dig deep and learn to understand myself, who I am, how I feel and what I represent. This weeks assignment continues that pattern and ask some important questions in regards to gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. We were asked the following questions.
• If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag," “gay,” “homo,” "sissy," "tom boy," or “lesbo” as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children? (Note: if you have not had a personal experience ask a family member, friend, or colleague)
Unfortunately I have heard another child address another child as being a “fag”. I serve on the PTA board at my child’s elementary school and one day while walking the halls a young boy in 2nd grade told his peer he was a “fag” because he wouldn’t share his snack. The recipient of the word looked puzzled unsure of what had been said and what it meant. The name caller explained, “it means you like boys!” The recipient still looking a bit puzzled yelled, “no I don’t! You do! Get away from me.” When I reflect on this situation it makes me wonder how this word was introduced to the first child and how the recipient will be affected. The recipient of the word had never heard the word and now he has learned a new word with a bad experience to go along with it.
• Any other related situations, thoughts, concerns, questions, and/or areas of discomfort you would like to share related to children, gender, and sexual orientation
I have a sibling who is gay. Our family has not embraced him and unfortunately many of them will not talk to him. Last year at a family event one of our uncles yelled across the room to a younger cousin “stay away from him (my sibling), he’s a fag and I don’t want you to catch it! Ha ha.” I couldn’t believe what I had just heard, and from someone who was in my family nonetheless. I feel that its people like this who are uneducated about the topic or just mean are the ones we have to worry about. They are the ones we need to teach students to be careful around. My cousin who was standing next to my sibling stood still as she had no idea what the word meant. She later asked her mom if my sibling was sick because she didn’t want to catch what he had. It’s so hard to hear how children have to learn about these degrading words and in this case by someone you love.
