But of course, saying nothing conveys a message of its own—one that is, unfortunately, open to a wide array of interpretations. To the besieged gay or perceived-to-be-gay student, the teacher’s uncomfortable silence signals at best cowardice and, at worst, complicity with the bully. Meanwhile, the aggressor receives no punishment, so why stop? Silent condemnation teeters perilously close to tacit approva
from ‘Why “Neutrality” on Controversial Issues in the Classroom Doesn’t Work’ by J. Bryan Lowder at Slate
2 Notes