His and His and Hers and Herstory

Lately in class we have been discussing the issue of incorporating a gay-themed book into classroom literature and the problems it poses. It is possible to consider The Price of Salt as a possible option but the venue of these issues goes far beyond a simple novel. Recently in California, the Gay Straight Alliance group has been petitioning under the slogan “Let's Set the Record Straight: History Isn't,” to not only put in motion the incorporation of literature that introduces gay themes but also to include LGBT movements and their historical context within the curriculum. This is one step to further ensure that these topics will become less censored and more accepted within the public school community but it’s certainly a motion that is going to take lots of fighting and need support. By incorporating these sorts of topics into the classroom environment it would prompt students to have an educated discussion about tolerance. With the recent rise in gay teen suicides that has become a crisis of bullying, we must take action and fast to promote support for the LGBT community as those who do support their rights. Maybe a start is to teach a tolerance at first not necessarily an acceptance, though this would be the long-term goal. The GSA is even reaching out to kids themselves as a way to promote these types of discussions in the classroom. This is one way to work around a previous generation’s misconceptions by addressing the new generation and teaching them tolerance. In this context perhaps The Price of Salt is a bit too radical to teach right off the bat though it is certainly a merited piece of literature. However, starting off with a milder type of LGBT themed piece of literature would certainly start the discussion and lay the foundations for a more accepting community. Though we are deemed to be a secular society unfortunately we are too religiously inclined to be tolerant of these issues but at the suffering of others changes must be made.