Let’s Insist on Proper Citizenship and Behavior

The Republicans and their followers are not showing good examples to our children, not with their disgusting campaigning lately that is provoking calls from their audiences of “traitor” and “Terrorist.” Of course, we shouldn’t trust Republicans on the subject of proper citizenship and good behavior. But let’s at least trust our schools.

In Chicago they are thinking of building a school for gay and lesbian students who are often bullied in their present schools. I suppose in a society coarsened by the ugliest of politics we can’t possibly hope for civility and citizenship to be taught in schools, but shouldn’t we try? Here’s the report from the Telegraph:

The Pride Campus of Social Justice High School would be open to all students in the city, and would probably end up being “majority straight”, said Arne Duncan, the head of Chicago Public Schools.

But it would provide a supportive atmosphere for gay pupils, using prominent gays and lesbians - including James Baldwin and Gertrude Stein - in its curriculum.

Bill Greaves, the city’s liason officer on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, said the school would “make sure these people are not invisible in history”.

He said it was important that gay and lesbian historical figures were highlighted to give young gay people positive, successful role models.

Look, I have no problem teaching James Baldwin. I am teaching his Sonny’s Blues on Monday. I’ve no problems with gay pride days and I have nothing against finding a place where gay and lesbian students can feel safe. But can’t we just demand, more forcefully, students treating each other with dignity and respect? Isn’t that the real solution for our kids, for our society as a whole?

Yeah, this might actually save the lives of a few gay and lesbian students in Chicago. That’s a great thing. Still, the story makes me sad. Heck, I do blame the Republicans, who use any issue about gay and lesbian citizens as a divisive attack on our national civility. I suppose if you can’t teach Republicans to be civil, if their own Presidential candidate can’t even man up and look his opponent in the eye, then maybe any project of teaching kids civility would be a difficult thing. There’s the shame.

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