Alicia Smalley
<alicias@scs.unr.edu>
>
>
>
>At 02:34 PM 12/20/97 -0500, you wrote:
>>To the edequity group:
>>
>>It has recently come to my attention that the climate at our town's
>>supposedly tolerant, enlightened high school is not what I thought it was. I
>>have heard that the word "gay" is routinely used as a put-down; that girls
>>are referred to, both in general and as individuals, as "bitches," sluts,"
>>and "whores;" that a lesbian teacher is frequently taunted about her sexual
>>orientation by students; and that several boys talked openly in one class
>>about getting all the gays together and burning them. From what I've heard,
>>while some staff members deal with such behavior swiftly and in no uncertain
>>terms, others are silent or pretend not to notice.
>>
>>I think this is more common than anyone thinks or wants to acknowledge, and
>>that it is incumbent on the school administration to establish expectations
>>and protocols that will enable and require the adults in the school to deal
>>immediately and directly with such behavior, rather than looking the other
>>way...to create a school climate in which all students feel safe from
>>persecution and denigration, and in which those who would persecute get the
>>message that this will not be tolerated.
>>
>>Does anyone out there have any concrete, specific examples of how schools
>>have dealt positively and successfully with such issues? I am most interested
>>in approaches that have proven useful *before* such incidents escalate to the
>>point where the legal system, the media, etc. enter the scene.
>>
>>Hoping to hear from folks out there (particularly high school students), and
>>wishing for a better world in the New Year--
>>
>>Kathy Cochran
>>
>>
>