a thought

so i was following this really long, mad thread on deoxy, and someone linked to this which i'm placing here because in some way i appreciate the direction it's facing in...

it was written before the election in america and therefore has a kind of hope that the writer may well not feel so much now, it is really long and in fact i didn't read it all, i'll probably go back to it once i've got this down...

this from my experience of teaching people with views different to my own, on for example homophobia, or racism, basic things in my worldview, anti-racist and anti-homophobic is where i put myself, but homophobia is rampant in teenagers and i've taught some kids who have been vocal about there feelings toward gay men (negative feelings) and although i've wanted to violently oppose those sentiments i've realised that opposition is not the way to go, opposition merely hardens what to me is dodgy beliefs, what is needed is dialogue not two opposing monologues...

i've always been very clear about where i stand on these issues, but hopefully opened a space where they can be talked about, or at least that is the intention, i'm not a perfect teacher, (noone is)...

this is something i hold dear to me and when i read this (the same this as above) it resonated with me... even though it's old now, pre-US-election, i think it's worth checking out...

x