We recently had to listen to a podcast, by Crisp, online for class about LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning) in relation to children’s books as well as using those books in the classroom. This podcast brought up a few very good points that I had never really thought that much about.
One of those points was regarding people not wanting literature in the classroom that dealt with LGBTQ, or by authors who were LGBTQ. Crisp made the point that we wouldn’t not allow books in our class by authors that were female, or books by authors that were Jewish so why do people have problems with books by authors who are openly LGBTQ? He brought up a strong point and it made me think that if the book is a good piece of literature, why does the author’s personal life matter?
Crisp also talked about how no matter what you do, whether you bring LGBTQ books into your classroom or not, you are not being neutral. Many people think that by not having LGBTQ books in their classroom, they are being neutral, but by not having them, it is silencing a voice. Not having them says just as much, if not more, about your opinion as having them. I believe that it is good for teachers to have LGBTQ books in their classroom. There are going to be children in your classroom who either are LGBTQ, or know someone who is thus they should have access to books dealing with LGBTQ. Students like to read books about people who are similar to them, and who are going through the same things that they are, and thus teachers should have as great a variety of books as possible so that every students needs are met.
Sexuality in literature is such a touchy subject though. What age do we start introducing these types of books to children? What kind of books do we let them see and not see? What if they start asking questions, what do we say? I think that we should start teaching acceptance but I don't know I don't think I want to have to explain sexuality to a child! Times have gotten so much more complicated. I think that books like this could really cause a stir because society really isn't ready for this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the point made in the last paragraph of this post. Take, for example, the subject of divorce in children’s books. This could also be considered a touchy subject when concerning children. Some children will be unfamiliar with this concept and ask questions that could become uncomfortable for adults to handle depending on the situation, much like the subject of LGBTQ. But going back to the point made, there most likely will be a child in your classroom dealing with the effects of divorce in one way or another. It is not fair to them to pretend that this problem does not exist and/or concern them, just as it is not fair to hide books dealing with sexuality from them. If a certain book is a way for a child to understand their own family dynamic or something they are simply curious about, there is no reason to hold them back from that.
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