"What god would damn a heart?
What god drove us apart?
What god could?"
-Rise Against, "Make It Stop"
I just bought the new Rise Against album, and I wanted to write about this song called "Make It Stop." The song is about boys who have committed suicide for being teased and bullied in school for being gay.
Since I'm going to be a teacher, I will undoubtedly have to deal with these issues. Bullying is a serious problem, and words cut deeply. I'm sure I will learn a ton this next year about how to deal with kids who make fun of others who are different and to be supportive of kids who feel isolated or hated because of their same-sex attractions.
I think back to my days in middle school and high school. I remember when the words "gay" and "fag" were a forceful presence in my vocabulary of derogatory words, directed at other people who I deemed lesser than myself. I can't get those moments back. I take responsibility and the blame for the stupid and hurtful things I said.
What I can do is work to change this for future kids. I can talk about this kind of stuff with them. I can set an example by not tolerating name-calling, teasing, etc. I can show them that all people are all important in God's eyes, no matter what gender they are attracted to.
If you are a Christian, as I am, I hope you realize the need to actively fight against the hate our religion has caused to the LGBTQ community. Whether you think a homosexual lifestyle is sinful or not, it is crucial that we show love to our neighbors, and not try to change them. Love first. If someone rejects that lifestyle, great, let's help him or her with that. If not, we still love.
In the song, it says, "What god drove us apart?" Whatever god that is, that has fueled so many "Christians" to hate others, it's not the God of Abraham and Jacob that I follow. I'm sorry for the times I've rejected the one true God and decided to serve the god of hate. Let's show everyone the love and truth of our God instead.
Awesome. Thanks Justin! Your future students are gonna have a pretty awesome, loving teacher.
ReplyDeleteHey Justin, this is Jimmy from Memphis. You have a noble purpose, but I want to tell you the reality of your situation. Our state legislature is kicking around a bill entitled "Don't Say Gay," a bill that if signed into law would prohibit teachers, counselors, and any public school faculty and staff from kindergarten-8th grade from discussing homosexuality. It would, in essence, ban the word "gay" from a teacher's vocabulary, This would not only affect the classroom. It means that if a confused seventh grader was coming to terms with his gay sexuality for the first time, it would be illegal for a teacher or counselor to guide him through the process - even if the student approached the teacher first. A few news stories on the subject: http://www.wsmv.com/politics/27830529/detail.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wsmv.com/politics/27830529/detail.html
http://www.wsmv.com/local-video/index.html?grabnetworks={videoid:4680609}
To be fair, the bill probably won't pass, and even if it does pass the Senate tomorrow, it will still take another year before it gets to the House of Representatives. That said, it's a hot button issue here in the state - and across the country.
Justin, as a teacher and as a 21st century citizen, yes, you will have to deal with the issue of bullying. Also, if you're teaching in an inner-city school, be aware that inner-city culture treats homosexuality much differently then white, middle class culture does. Look up the term "down-low" on Google (or urbandictionary.com). Two books you need to read this summer. "Love is an Orientation" by Andrew Marin (dear friend of mine in Chicago, and friend to the GLBT community). You also need to read "Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social, and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing up Gay in America," edited by Mitchell Gold.
Looking forward to your move down South!
Amen, bro. My new life as a student affairs professional will inevitably also bring the issue close, I'm sure. Let's love and be so compassionate!
ReplyDeleteHey Justin,
ReplyDeleteIt's really good that you have such a heart for this. :) I hope that as time goes on teachers will understand just how damaging bullying can be. It doesn't seem like it would be a life changing thing; calling people names, rumors, etc. But it does. It changes how people view others. How people view the world. It's something that I'm really passionate about. Which is why I'm seriously becoming a school counselor.
Thanks for posting this!
Kaitlyn
Thinking about becoming a school counselor. haha:)
ReplyDelete@ Jimmy & Justin: yeah, we as future teachers will definitely face a unique challenge as our faith and convictions collide with society (including mainstream "Christianity"). I feel that America is shedding its false Christianity, and we will be persecuted more for speaking out. But God will protect us and use us in mighty ways if we choose to live radically for Him! So keep it up!
ReplyDelete