Safe Spaces

SAFE SPACES

ANNEMARIE VACCARO, GERRI AUGUST, AND MEGAN S. KENNEDY

“To the extent that teachers, school administrators, and college professors create an atmosphere in which difference is not only tolerated but expected, explored, and embraced, students will be more likely to develop perspectives that result in respectful behaviors “(Page 83).

                To me this quote is saying that in schools teachers really need to create a place in their classrooms where they can teach their students to accept LGBT rights.  They need to make sure everyone is accepted for who they are and no one should want to make anybody feel as if they do not belong. If this does happen in schools where teachers can teach this then students will no longer be felt as if they are left out and they will be respected and not judged. Personally I cannot help but feel for the kids who feel like they are alone because teachers do not address these things in classrooms.

 “When asked if they were taught about LGBT people or history, less than 12 percent of LGBT students replied to the affirmative” (Page 91).

                This percentage is awful in my opinion. I do not understand why teachers are so afraid to talk about these issues in their classrooms. Yes, they may feel like parents will not be happy but like the test says “Grow up!” Honestly if these children are not going to learn about LGBT in classrooms where else are they possibly going to learn? Obviously not their parents since they do not think they are ready for it in classrooms. They will just keep talking about it with their friends and putting the subject down. People need to open their eyes like the simple kindergarten teachers are doing and even if they only talk about it in little detail or mention it here and there it’s a start that could lead to something more.

“Words invite or exclude, recognize or erase, empower or intimidate, examine or assume. Far from what the children chant would have let us believe ,words are sticks and stones. And those sticks and stones can either build bridges or break bones” (Page 95).

                In life someone’s words can either make someone’s day, or make someone feel like they are alone. If these topics come up in school more often than the children who do feel left out will in my opinion most likely not skip classes anymore and feel welcomed. This is because other students will know the situation and will no longer feel the need to void it and just make fun of the idea. I think everyone would feel much better about themselves and there would no longer be assumptions or hurtful words being said.

 

POINTS TO SHARE- I agree completely with the fact that in schools we need to do a better job of talking about LGBT and things like this. I think that we can make this a better world if all schools just put in a little more effort as well as save lives and make children want to come to school.