I found an commercial for the Prop 8 supporters that depicts a young girl coming home and telling her mother that she learned in school that two prince’s could marry and that she could marry a princess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SKZgF804O0
This commercial is ridiculous in that there is nothing about Prop 8 that is connected to public education in any way. There is also nothing in California state law that would require the teaching of marriage in any of its forms. Also most State laws (California being one) allows parents to opt students out of lessons they find to be out of keeping with their personal beliefs. The "Yes on 8" advertisements suggesting that students will be taught about same-sex marriage if the proposition fails are untruthful and ridiculous.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SKZgF804O0
Supporters of Prop 8 have said the idea of same-sex marriage could be integrated into all aspects of school lessons, not just sex-ed. One example used is of a math book containing a word problem that tells the story of "Johnny's two mommies" going to the store or celebrating an anniversary. They are concerned this will infiltrate literature, vocabulary, social studies, science, math and all the subjects that kids learn.
I realize I was brought up in a pretty Liberal environment, and that my close connection to gay culture can leave me at time possible biased, but I believe as an educator, and human being these kinds of ideas of limiting groups abilities is wrong and against what educators stand for.
Are we not the ones trying to expand the minds, views and tolerance of our students? I can find understanding in why certain peoples religious beliefs skew the image of the homosexual individual, but isn’t part of religion also love and tolerance for fellow human. By eliminating a whole group of people from school curriculum are we not teaching hate instead of acceptance?
I consider this to be no different than when schools began integration, or text books used “ethnic” names in their text, as well as the California Supreme Court's 1948 decision to overturn a ban on interracial marriages.
I recommend everyone read the comments by pro 8 writers and decide if that is the America you want for the future. Let's stop these kinds of propositions now before it gets out of hand. When future generations look back on us let's be remembered as expanding rights and accepting people. Let's not be the people blocking the schoolhouse door.
1 comment:
I can honestly say that prop 8 is a hot button issue that can certainly cause controversy, tension, and arguements with education stakeholders. As critical pedagogues we must be willing to bring such questions to the class for debate and discussion. However, teachers must be aware of peoples cultural backgrounds and identity. As a result the teacher must ensure that a safe environment is created for voices to be heard and be able to justify the reasons for bringing up the issue. I personally feel that teachers shouldnt have to censor themselves but as karl Marx says the Infrastructure changes more rapidly than the suprastructure. In addition we must critically analyze the phenominon and problem pose. I would certainly agree that prop 8 does impact education a great deal and does stand in opposition to freedom and liberty. Unfortunately, the commercials being aired in favor of prop 8 are example of modern realism that preys off of fear of the unknown. In addition it highlighs the idea that art has hijacked reality and blurred the lines between imaginary and real.
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