"Otherside"
In one of my classes today, we debated on a few hot-button issues that will likely come up in our classrooms
1. The case of the young Sikh boy who was challenged on his right to bring a kirpan (ceremonial part of garb that resembles a knife) to school
2. Parents who, for religious reasons, do not want their son to watching a video on bullying that involves a same-sex couple discussing the effects of bullying on their child
3. Malcolm Ross, the math teacher who denied the Halocaust's existence
4. Right to let a grade 4 girl wear a T-shirt promoting Palestinian "right to fight for freedom"
Without getting into the nitty-gritty, my stances were to let the boy take his kirpan in on the condition that it is sealed inside the scabbard and can't be removed; show the video anyway and hopefully let the boy decide whether or not he'd like to watch it; remove the teacher from the classroom, and let the girl wear the shirt.
It occurred to me very quickly that my instincts created a contradiction in opinions, particularly on the first two items. I want to demonstrate that the students need not feel oppressed because of religious beliefs, but I have difficulty reconciling this with my desire to promote an atmosphere that also accepts students of varying sexualities.
It is somewhat troubling for me because as a teacher, I need to be consistent. How can I justify going against the parents' desire on the grounds that religion should not play a role in policy on sexuality in the schools, and then tell another set of parents that it's okay for their child to bring a potentially dangerous object to school on the grounds that it's part of their belief system?
The short answer is I can't justify it, and if I had to make a choice, I think I would stick with my ruling on the video and (reluctantly) rescind my stance on the kirpan. Still, I can't help but feel uneasy about this.
What do you think?
- Jeff
1. The case of the young Sikh boy who was challenged on his right to bring a kirpan (ceremonial part of garb that resembles a knife) to school
2. Parents who, for religious reasons, do not want their son to watching a video on bullying that involves a same-sex couple discussing the effects of bullying on their child
3. Malcolm Ross, the math teacher who denied the Halocaust's existence
4. Right to let a grade 4 girl wear a T-shirt promoting Palestinian "right to fight for freedom"
Without getting into the nitty-gritty, my stances were to let the boy take his kirpan in on the condition that it is sealed inside the scabbard and can't be removed; show the video anyway and hopefully let the boy decide whether or not he'd like to watch it; remove the teacher from the classroom, and let the girl wear the shirt.
It occurred to me very quickly that my instincts created a contradiction in opinions, particularly on the first two items. I want to demonstrate that the students need not feel oppressed because of religious beliefs, but I have difficulty reconciling this with my desire to promote an atmosphere that also accepts students of varying sexualities.
It is somewhat troubling for me because as a teacher, I need to be consistent. How can I justify going against the parents' desire on the grounds that religion should not play a role in policy on sexuality in the schools, and then tell another set of parents that it's okay for their child to bring a potentially dangerous object to school on the grounds that it's part of their belief system?
The short answer is I can't justify it, and if I had to make a choice, I think I would stick with my ruling on the video and (reluctantly) rescind my stance on the kirpan. Still, I can't help but feel uneasy about this.
What do you think?
- Jeff