Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

You are here

Allies

akelly's picture

I really appreciated Blackburns's emphasis on teaching to become an ally.  It is all too often in schools that we are taught what not to do intstead of what to do.  Often times people learn about the histories and meanings behind certain words and actions after they have used them.  Standing up to someone who uses derrogative terminology or who acts homophobic is often hard for people to do and doesn't happen enough.  Additionally, correcting someone and trying to teach him/her often comes off as an attack, leading that person to become defensive and not listen and learn.  Most high schools have a bullying segment of the curriculum or different bullying workshops.  Why not teach about being an ally then?  Is there some fear among teachers that there is a difference between teaching people not bully on account of sexual orientation as opposed to teaching them how to be genuine allies?