GENDER, DIVERSITY, FAMILY DYNAMICS

1. GENDER, DIVERSITY, FAMILY DYNAMICS By, Sparrow

2. Schedule • Announcements • Quiz (or not…) • Meditation (Guided Sanctuary) • Discussion!

3. Objectives • Core Curriculum Goal is “To better prepare students for a changing world by making sure they graduate with the flexible skills they need” • [2A] to be leaders in our communities,”* and better able to deal with • [2C] a state and country that are more culturally diverse;* Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity • [2A2] ETHICS [2A2] The second goal of the required leadership/ethics flag courses -- learn to make real-life ethical choices -- is closely related to the core purpose of the University of Texas, to transform lives for the benefit of society. It is also one of the basic education requirements of U.T.: “have experience in thinking about moral and ethical problems.” Our ethics goals are • [2A2f] To practice replacing fear and greed with love, compassion, tolerance, and the sympathetic imagination. • [2A2g] To practice tolerance for diversity for personality types and races/ethnic groups (African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian-Americans our prime examples), thereby advancing the goals of the  Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity required flag courses [2C].

4. Blog summaries • KOALA • -Elementary school: correlation between happiness and acceptance • -Motivated by mom’s accolades / peer approval • -Irritated by parents who do nothing to stop their child’s suffering • -Wouldn’t want approval of closed-minded family members • VULTURE • -“I GET SO MAD ABOUT HOMOSEXUAL DISCRIMINATION” • -Thinks sexual orientation is an integral part of who a person is • -High school was unaccepting of homosexuality – students would use terms such as “fag” and “gay” inappropriately • -Sexual orientation is not a choice. • -Religious teacher responded well to brave, unexpected presentation on homosexuality • LAMB • -Knows what it feels like to be shut out of social situations – overweight in 5th grade • -Almost cried over Luckett’s essay, and could sympathize • -Tries not to hold onto past mistakes • -“College means growing up, and I plan on moving forward.”

5. PANDA • -“Going through the physical, metaphysical, and back has left me with one conclusion: God is absolute love.” • -Raised in a society hateful of those who were different in one way or another • -Questioned his beliefs/faith/perspectives • -Questioned himself: who am I? • -“We are merely reflections of the same image being perceived differently.” • -Faith in God – inner knowing • -Truly believes that life is a blessing • BUTTERFLY • -Believes in loving everyone until they give you a reason not to • -Cannot put her hatred of homophobia into words • -Tight-knit family; favorite aunt is gay • -Johnny hid his true self from the world because of his mother’s influence • -Member of a progressive Catholic Church • -Homophobia has no solid foundation • -Told friends in high school not to use “fag” or “gay” if they wanted to continue to be friends with her

6. MONKEY • -Upset by stories • -Angered by unfairness of family life depicted in essays (had a friend with a similar story) • -Hates that being gay is viewed as evil • -While it may be reasonable for parents to have a reaction to the obstacles their gay child may have to overcome, language such as “faggot” is inexcusable • FIREFLY • -Struck by Luckett’s foster parents’ “inability to be parents” • -Most upset by the fact that his foster parents didn’t protect him from the assault he was subjected to • -Most invested in Lee’s essay – reminded her how unaccepting people can be • -High school friend transitioned from being accepting to judgmental • -Can relate to Ng’s desire to fit in • DOLPHIN • -Indescribably angered by tonight’s readings • -Wants to enter field of Psychology to be “an ear to someone who has been silenced” • -Amazed by strength of those who have gone through adversity and made it through • -Never known anyone who has been raped, rejected by parents for sexual orientation, or abused • -Concerned that as a Psychologist, she may not have the best advice since she hasn’t experienced these atrocities first-hand (or witnessed them)

7. GREAT BLUE HERON • -Angered by these stories because they were written about real events • -Does not understand how/why Luckett’s foster parents didn’t stop the molestation • -Touched most by Lee’s story, on a personal level • -Shares the same fear about coming out to parents as Lee • -Fears that family won’t love ALL of him • FALCON • -Increased emotional connection to stories due to the fact that they were real/raw • -Posed questions to herself, putting herself in the shoes of the writers • -“In general, more traditional Asian cultures discourage individuality and uniqueness n favor of conformity” • -Has not shared the experiences of the writers, but shared in their pain as she read their stories. • CHEETAH • -Noticed that stories were largely focused on family dynamics • -James was the first person Anthony considered as a part of his family • -It is critical for everyone to feel connected to someone else • -Johnny had no one to connect with until Jonathan came around

8. WOLF • -“Sometimes, our parents just don’t get it.” • -Has grown up with supporting, accepting, open-minded parents • -Dad’s mother was the opposite of her own parents. Nonetheless, her father was incredibly successful • -Her father, unlike Luckett, “overcame his fear and one son later, joined forever with who would be the most intimate person in his life.” • -Friend from high school opened up to her about his sexual orientation. She, along with 22 of their friends, accepted him without hesitation. • RACCOON • -Saddened by readings • -Believes parents should unconditionally love and support their children • -Has two gay older stepbrothers. Their father wasn’t initially accepting, but “loves his sons enough to accept what he cannot change” • -Understands a parent’s disappointment when a child comes out, but believes that their love should remain constant • -Family should be the one thing that never fails

9. SPIDER • -Has friends/family members who are LGBT in Austin, but not in Amarillo • -Reacts naturally when people tell her things about their sexuality • -Homophobia is widely accepted in Amarillo • -Hates the fact that students from her high school committed suicide because their parents wouldn’t accept them • -Hates that she didn’t say anything when her classmates made inappropriate comments about gay people • DEER • -Met two “fucking badasses” who happen to be gay, while in Carlsbad • -Friend told her about how coming out is a process • -Two friends had a debate about religion. One claimed that “you have to separate your faith, religious beliefs and sexual orientation” • -Angered by jokes about gay people • ELEPHANT • -Questioning what it means to have a family • -His family is a group of people who will unconditionally be there for him • -Should we be obligated to help family members just because of shared blood? • -His immediate family has always been a cohesive unit • -Doesn’t understand why a person’s sexual orientation plays a big role in people’s opinions of others

10. Common themes • ANGER • SADNESS • ACCEPTANCE (OR LACK THEREOF) • OUTSIDER VS. INSIDER • COMPLACENCY • LOVE (CONDITIONAL?) • PROTECTION (OR LACK THEREOF)

11. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS • What do you think angers you so much about homosexual discrimination? Why does it seem to bring out more rage than discrimination against people of a certain skin color or religious affiliation? • Do you think it is okay to sympathize with the “bad guys” – the parents/peers/friends who make derogatory comments? • Do you think it is possible for a discriminatory person to make the leap and become an accepting person? If so, what could perpetuate this change?

12. More discussion questions! • 4. What role does culture play in discrimination/lack of acceptance? • 5. How do you feel about familial obligations? Should the fact that we share blood with our family members translate into an obligation to help them at all costs? • 6. How far would you go to save a family member in need? Would it matter how closely related they are to you? • 7. What are some of the most memorable instances of discrimination you have witnessed? What do you think the true cause was?