Words to Carry as a ParentNote the implicit assumptions. That gay means homosexuality, that gay is an insult, that gay is an identity, and that a small child using a common expression is transmitting all those meanings. And that kids should not be shamed for hurtful language, and that kids must use the word gay properly in order to uphold our family values.Responding When a Student Says “That’s Gay”
The goal is to interrupt immediately, respond without shaming, and create an opportunity for learning while holding the student accountable. We can be firm about our values while recognizing that students are still learning and can do better.
A modeled response:
Pause. "I heard what you said, and I want you to take a moment to think about it. What was going through your brain when you chose to use that word?
When you use the word gay as a put-down, you are taking someone’s identity and using it to mean something negative. Being gay is not a negative thing. It’s an identity, not an insult.
I’m not here to shame you, but I am going to hold you accountable for the impact of your words. That language is hurtful, wrong, and inaccurate, and it does not uphold our family values.
We will not use people’s identities as put-downs. We all make mistakes, and we all have the opportunity to learn, reflect, and do better. Take responsibility for what you said, think about how it impacts others, and consider what you can do differently next time."
The whole thing is bizarre.
5 comments:
I don't understand. You think we should shame those who use "gay" as an insult? Seems a little harsh.
When you try to legislate other people's words, you derserve to be called all of them, especially the ones that hurt your fee fees.
Vulgar and crude language is what it is, but what it isn't is your right to tell others what they may and may not say. This is because inevitably the list of what must not be said becomes a laundry list so long it would make Delores Umbridge proud.
All inappropriate or vulgar language has a common root, the word 'NO'.
It is a word of defiance, meant for those who can't take a fucking hint.
Colour me obtuse but I don't understand this comment either. I mean, I agree that language should not generally be legislated, but I don't see the connection to Roger's post.
'That's Gay' is being considered hurtful, and busy bodies are trying to lecture folks about its use while hiding behind the ambiguous cowardice of 'We'. As one of those 'gays', I couldn't care less, as I also think calling a homosexual 'gay' is about as accurate as calling a heterosexual 'effervescent'. The 'gay' community has FAR more in common with the words 'chronically depressed', 'suicidal', 'melancholy', 'drug addicted', or 'alcoholism' than a word for light hearted and merry.
The word 'gay' has absolutely no actual meaning or value in connection to what it is being connected to outside of a poor attempt of putting a 'Hello Kitty' sticker on something most people are not in the least bit delighted by. It's a poor word to use to describe same sex attraction. Queer or homosexual is far more accurate or historically valid.
I guess so but fighting the evolution of language is more often effort wasted.
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