Comments on: school crappiness http://www.oceandreamer.org/2009/01/03/school-crappiness/ a single Seattle dyke exploring parenting, dog training, being gluten free, and more. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:39:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Martinique http://www.oceandreamer.org/2009/01/03/school-crappiness/comment-page-1/#comment-1299 Martinique Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:23:53 +0000 http://www.oceandreamer.org/?p=171#comment-1299 I stumbled across your blog and am also a queer woman in a major city in graduate school. I could not believe that the school is mandating YOU do anything to solve 'your' problem and not that professor. Surely they have non-discrimination clauses at this school?! That is victim-blaming 101 and should not be tolerated. I encourage you to send your story to feministing.com. They are a bunch of progressive kick-ass feminists with a huge following and they can get hundreds of people to email your school and publicize this. Surely, you are not the only one to experience this. Even if this was his first instance of blatant heterosexism that stems from a patriarchal attitude that creates a not-safe space for other people that are generally disenfranchised like poor people, women, trans people and people of color. Please get the word out about this professor and the school condoning it! I'm sure if you email feministing they could find a way to get this news out without using your name if you're afraid of repercussions. And I'd like to add that I'm really sorry you're dealing with this. It is not right, and there is no good reason to accept it. Homophobia, like racism, is not 'an alternative point of view' that deserves to be respected; it is hateful. I stumbled across your blog and am also a queer woman in a major city in graduate school. I could not believe that the school is mandating YOU do anything to solve ‘your’ problem and not that professor. Surely they have non-discrimination clauses at this school?! That is victim-blaming 101 and should not be tolerated.

I encourage you to send your story to feministing.com. They are a bunch of progressive kick-ass feminists with a huge following and they can get hundreds of people to email your school and publicize this. Surely, you are not the only one to experience this. Even if this was his first instance of blatant heterosexism that stems from a patriarchal attitude that creates a not-safe space for other people that are generally disenfranchised like poor people, women, trans people and people of color. Please get the word out about this professor and the school condoning it! I’m sure if you email feministing they could find a way to get this news out without using your name if you’re afraid of repercussions.

And I’d like to add that I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. It is not right, and there is no good reason to accept it. Homophobia, like racism, is not ‘an alternative point of view’ that deserves to be respected; it is hateful.

]]> By: naomi http://www.oceandreamer.org/2009/01/03/school-crappiness/comment-page-1/#comment-328 naomi Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:59:28 +0000 http://www.oceandreamer.org/?p=171#comment-328 my first thought was why aren't you calling the ACLU and finding a good attorney? ...but that's probably the jersey in me, we're always filing complaints and suing people, that's why our insurance is so high lol. Crying doesn't make you unprofessional, it makes you human. And the diet thing...I don't even know what to say. That's like telling a conservative Jew, they refuse to provide kosher meals. Whether being gluten free is your choice or a necessity, that's certainly a violation of your rights....I'm telling you, they'd settle out of court and you'd have grad school paid for... lol Not trying to make light of any of this. It's horrible that you're going through this and I hope it gets better. Hang in there. my first thought was why aren’t you calling the ACLU and finding a good attorney? …but that’s probably the jersey in me, we’re always filing complaints and suing people, that’s why our insurance is so high lol.

Crying doesn’t make you unprofessional, it makes you human. And the diet thing…I don’t even know what to say. That’s like telling a conservative Jew, they refuse to provide kosher meals. Whether being gluten free is your choice or a necessity, that’s certainly a violation of your rights….I’m telling you, they’d settle out of court and you’d have grad school paid for… lol

Not trying to make light of any of this. It’s horrible that you’re going through this and I hope it gets better. Hang in there.

]]> By: Kristen http://www.oceandreamer.org/2009/01/03/school-crappiness/comment-page-1/#comment-323 Kristen Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:54:59 +0000 http://www.oceandreamer.org/?p=171#comment-323 As much as the situation sucks, good for you for advocating for yourself, in both situations. Some people would just give up and let these people continue being a**holes. But you are standing up to them, and even if they don't change their minds, maybe someone is watching and learning from you. good for you As much as the situation sucks, good for you for advocating for yourself, in both situations. Some people would just give up and let these people continue being a**holes. But you are standing up to them, and even if they don’t change their minds, maybe someone is watching and learning from you.

good for you

]]> By: mary http://www.oceandreamer.org/2009/01/03/school-crappiness/comment-page-1/#comment-301 mary Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:42:40 +0000 http://www.oceandreamer.org/?p=171#comment-301 I'm a gay elementary school teacher in Canada. I faced some disturbing homophobia in Teacher's College, although it was far less serious than what you've faced, and I was lucky to have many supportive friends in my section. The only words of comfort I can offer are to say that in my working teaching career things have been somewhat-to-much better. I hope it works out the same way for you. p.s. I HATED Teacher's College, but I freakin' love teaching. It's so much fun. I’m a gay elementary school teacher in Canada. I faced some disturbing homophobia in Teacher’s College, although it was far less serious than what you’ve faced, and I was lucky to have many supportive friends in my section. The only words of comfort I can offer are to say that in my working teaching career things have been somewhat-to-much better. I hope it works out the same way for you.
p.s. I HATED Teacher’s College, but I freakin’ love teaching. It’s so much fun.

]]> By: Joy http://www.oceandreamer.org/2009/01/03/school-crappiness/comment-page-1/#comment-295 Joy Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:30:55 +0000 http://www.oceandreamer.org/?p=171#comment-295 I'm glad you wrote about this. I don't see it as complaining, but rather sharing your experiences that are personal and meaning and challenging, so thank you. I think you are doing everything reasonable and appropriate to make some progress in a very difficult and unjust situation. I know I would have been crying in that meeting too. Feel free to call or email me if you ever want to talk about this in person. I'll be thinking of you and look forward to seeing you later in the week. I’m glad you wrote about this. I don’t see it as complaining, but rather sharing your experiences that are personal and meaning and challenging, so thank you. I think you are doing everything reasonable and appropriate to make some progress in a very difficult and unjust situation. I know I would have been crying in that meeting too. Feel free to call or email me if you ever want to talk about this in person. I’ll be thinking of you and look forward to seeing you later in the week.

]]> By: Jill http://www.oceandreamer.org/2009/01/03/school-crappiness/comment-page-1/#comment-294 Jill Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:19:26 +0000 http://www.oceandreamer.org/?p=171#comment-294 I am surprised you are talking about Seattle!! A city filled with queers! I am so sorry you are having to deal with this in your grad program. Grad school is difficult enough without adding homphobia into the mix. It sounds like you have a few allies there so hopefully you don't feel quite so alienated. It does seem like a 50's throwback! The food issue is also really disturbing to me. I have a few dear friends who are on dtrict gluten free diets and I know it is essential. The lack of information and ignorance on this subject needs to change. Jill I am surprised you are talking about Seattle!! A city filled with queers! I am so sorry you are having to deal with this in your grad program. Grad school is difficult enough without adding homphobia into the mix. It sounds like you have a few allies there so hopefully you don’t feel quite so alienated. It does seem like a 50′s throwback!

The food issue is also really disturbing to me. I have a few dear friends who are on dtrict gluten free diets and I know it is essential. The lack of information and ignorance on this subject needs to change.

Jill

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