Why GLBTs Should Fight Obama's Education... ummmm... "Reforms"

[Smarmie Doofus]

In fact... there are a host of reasons that we should ALL oppose bad public policy shaped by "policy makers" ( i'm in love with this recent NY Times euphemism.) who don't have a CLUE about the phenomenon concerning which they are formulating policy.

But it's a subject of particular concern for adults who care about kids. And ESPECIALLY for adults who care about GLBT kids.


Take Tennessee. PLEASE!



Obamacation rests largely on eliminating tenure, gutting teachers unions, and turning over ed policy to inexperienced corporate managers and know-nothing politicians , much like....(Well, fill in the blank.).

Tennessee has taken this challenge on in a BIG way; and with unequaled enthusiasm:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x481266

Most traditionally conservative states..... anti-union, anti-free speech, traditionally anti-glbt.... trail closely behind, snapping at Tennessee's proverbial rear end.

In fact... one might be tempted to say that Tennessee is a kind of *model* for the kind of "reform" that Obama and Sec Duncan wish to visit upon schools nationally. ( And Newt; and Boehner; and Walker; and the whole damn zoo. These are *Republican* ideas after all.)

So back to GLBTs. Much mischief is about to be set in motion in these model "reform" states:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/apr/21/dont-say-gay-bill-clears-senate-panel/

>>>NASHVILLE - After some convoluted maneuvers, a Senate committee Wednesday approved a bill that will prohibit teachers from discussing homosexuality in kindergarten through eighth-grade classrooms.

The measure (SB49) is sponsored by Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, who unsuccessfully pushed the same idea - nicknamed the "don't say gay" bill - for six years as a member of the state House before he was elected to the Senate.

As introduced, the bill would have put into law a declaration that it is illegal to discuss any sexual behavior other than heterosexuality prior to the ninth grade.

But when it came before the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, contended current law already prohibits such instruction by deeming it a misdemeanor to teach any sex education that is not part of the "family life curriculum" adopted by the state Board of Education.

Tracy proposed an amendment to rewrite Campfield's bill to require the Board of Education to study the issue and determine whether any teaching about homosexuality is occurring and, if so, recommend what should be done about it.

Campfield contends homosexuality is being discussed in classrooms. Spokesmen for the Board of Education and the state Department of Education told the committee they are unaware of any such activity.>>>

More at link.


I teach in NYS. I've discussed homosexuality in the classroom. I've used the word "gay". I have counseled kids about the harmful, even LETHAL effects of homophobic attitudes and behavior. I have lobbied the administration to include GLBT history and science in the curriculum. I have "persuaded" ( some people might use a different word) it to bring in outside glbt educators like PFLAG to raise awareness of kids w. glbt-related issues .

I was only, * ONLY* able to do these things because: 1. I'm in a relatively strong *union*; in a relatively pro-union state; ....and......2. I have tenure and it is therefore difficult to get rid of me WITHOUT CAUSE ( which they do not have.)

Tennessee suggests that in the absence of strong, secure, autonomous professional educators to keep the forces of ignorance, corruption, prejudice and just plain stupidity in check... an absence that Obama, Duncan, and a whole daisey-chain of billionaire and millionaire " reformers" seem to fairly CRAVE.... GLBT kids and their advocates in public schools are headed for some bleak times ahead. Bleaker than bleak, if you ask me.

For now... I can promise you with assurance that if anyone tries to tell me I can't use the word "gay" in class I will tell them to their face to fuck-off. But with the HUGE $$$$ pushing this anti-teacher and pro-school privatization movement , combined with the single-mindedness ("mindlessness"?) of dilettante "reformers" like Obama and Duncan, something's got to give in time.

Let's recognize that. And let's do something about it. Before we find ourselves back in the 1950s (culturally) and the 1870s ( economically). We should be working together.

[QC]

1. Wow, someone has already unrecced this.

Wish I could say I'm surprised but....

[checks-n-balances]

2. k&r

Hate to say it, but next time post under multiple categories if you can. I'm sure the trolls are always ready to pounce on GLBT topics to unrec them.

Edited to suggest posting duplicate articles next time

[thanks_imjustlurking]

3. I just undid it.

Nail on head - goal is complete control of teachers, like little robots.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. My experience is that when you post anything critical of the prez....

.... there is a flurry of unrecs. It reminds me a bit of Skinner's ( B.F., that is) experiments w. pigeons, what... 50 years ago.

Once it slides off the "big board" it gets read thoroughly by the ( I hate to use the word 'cause I want *everyone* to read everything I post; but, here goes: ) "target" audience and..... if it strikes a chord.... shoots up into + territory.

Apparently , it's struck such a chord.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

5. I Re-Recced It.

Ridiculous how some Obamabots will approve of everything he does, no matter how ignorant.

Tennessee...I wish there was some country we could palm it off on. Children are much more saavy these days than when I was little ( trust me, the Stone Age, but...) and it's very obvious the haters in Tennesee prefer their children get hateful misinformation and thus carry on the cycle of hatred and exclusion of GLBT people.