Gayness, Mulicultural Education, and Community

As I read this article I really noticed how gay people have been made absent, invisible and silent with the community. Public schools are being drawn into the battle between brewing "new right" fundmentalists in American culture. Carlson talks about how gay people or gayness have been kept in their place in the school community. I dont know what he really means by that, but I feel like he saying that gay people have to be secretative about their relationship when in school because people will look at them and judge. I know it might not be possibly but I feel as though if your gay or not you should be allowed to show your feelings to one another in public areas such as school. I dont think they should go as far as showing physical activity but holding of the hands or whatever if might be that is acceptable in school. When i was in highschool i had alot of diverse students and there were a few of "gay couples". They would hold hands and mabye give a kiss here or there. Some of the students at school would make rude remakrs or make fun of them becuase it was "two guys being together". I was always okay with that, i never made comments about it becuase there really no need too. I know it makes alot of people uncomfortable to see it. As i read down in the article i noticed how Carlson states that white middle class males get privileged and represented as "normal" but if yor gay, black or whatever it might be you are analyzed as sick, neurotic, criminal or lazy. I just think that is going a little to far.

Since all schools need to be "normal" they make sure that they have the power to keep "gayness" in it's place. They want to make sure it's invisible, meaning they dont want any other normal students to see it. They give a couple of techniques that show what they have done:

1. erasure of gayness in the curriclum
2. the "closeting" and "witch hunting" of gay teachers
3. verbal and physical intimidation of gay teachers/students

I feel as though gay people get that shorter end of the stick with whatever they try to do. Now a days when two guys live together people automically think they are gay, or when they are out to dinner. Basically it comes down to that schools will not allow gay people/couples and if they do they make sure they are in invisible.

Teaching Multilingual Children

As I read this article I noticed how there are alot of questions asked about the world today. When i say that i mean they talk about teachers wishing that learning could be a bit easier to teach to children who are multilingual. They talk about how technology should be easy to use instead of being so complicated. Parents freak out when they have to teach thier kids how to use something when really they are unsure of themselves. It's hard for parents to teach them when they are still unsure of that to do. Alot of the times i feel like the parents ask the children for help in cases like this.
When teachers are expected to teach English say in less then a year they automically freak out because kids are going to take more time then that. Children who speak a different language and use english as a second language it's a bit hard for the children and the teacher. An example they used was they say that teachers must be creative and flexible, serve has a catalyst for discovery so they can learn to operate effectively in the mutiple worlds. "teaching is complicated but it's rewarding in ways that many jobs can never be. Thats totally true becuase if you have a job where you have to teach in two languges thats alot of work and i give anyone credit who can do that. It might suck at times but if you love what you do then you should keep going. It gives you a chance with daily life, growing, thinking and maturing. There are jobs where people go to everyday and just speak in english as their first language get their work done and leave. It's as simple as that.
As I read more and more down the page I noticed how they gave important guidlines to teachers about how the mother and father use with their children. and how they should be more aware with while teaching. Some examples of these points would be that:

• Caregivers talk about what is going on here and now. The child is actively involved in the immediate context rather then dealing with the abstractions.
• Caregives speak in short and simple sentances. They are on the same level that the child controls or the next higher level.

Down towards the end of the reading i noticed about how they talked about code switching by students. I not sure what they mean by that. But i guess it's up to the teacher's decision to switch or not to switch the codes at any time according to their goals and the type of bilingual program they are in-i have no clue what that means but im sure ill learn about it down the way. In the end after everything was said the author talks about how launguage is enchanting, powerful,magical, useful and personal.

Peggy McIntosh

McIntosh.

In this article McIntosh talks about white/male privilege as a phenomenon and basically saying that our society is filled with white privilege and is somewhat denied and protected. For example she says "I realize I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but I had been taught not to see through them". I like that statement alot becuase while I was growing up I was taught not to hate on people that was not of my race, or even to be mean for no apparent reason. People of other color are just as human as we are. MsIntosh is trying to say that privilege is put at an advantage for white people. As I read along I liked how she stated that whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege and males are not to recognize male privilege. I understand that statement but I think it's hard for them not to recognize things in life because things become so much easier for them and she names a couple of them throughout the article.
A few examples would be that if:

• If went shopping alone then im pretty sure that I won't be followed or harassed about giving three forms of id, stealing or even walking alone.
  
• If a white person moves then they are pretty sure of renting a house in an area that is afforable and where they are happy.
  
• She also says that I am pretty sure that when I move my "new" neighbors will be neutral or pleasant to me.
  

She gave alot more ideas but I just named a few. I just want to say that I agree with alot of what she is saying but some of the stuff she says makes me so mad. She talks alot about male privilege and power. As I was growing up I learned alot about how you shouldnt judge a book by it's cover. McIntosh says that she was taught to see her self as an individual..she generally saying worry about your self and not about what others are doing around you.

About Me (:

My name is Demi Spitaleri. I am Italian and Irish. I am currently 19 years old and my birthday is March 7th. This is my second year at RIC and I do not seem to be liking it that much. I know it's only been three weeks into the semester but i would love for it to be over already. It's so overwhelming. Lets just say that RIC was not my first choice for schools. I was going to attend Point Park University for dance but i was injuried bad so i kinda needed to stay here. My major is early child education so i guess this school is best for me. I love working with kids. I currently work at dunkin donuts and a daycare. I love it.
Other than being in school I love being with my friends..they are amazing. Ashton is my best friend..yes I said Ashton everyone thinks it's funny how are names are DEMI and ASHTON. Everytime we say our names they make a big deal out of it becuase for one we are related. She also comes here which is good. My hobbies include going out and having a good time, working, shopping, dancing, movies and pretty much anything else that you would consider a good time. If you want to know more about me you can ask (: