Reading and Reflection Education Essay Research Paper

Running head: TWO READINGS, TWO QUOTES1
Two Readings, Two Quotes: A Reflection
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TWO READINGS, TWO QUOTES

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Two Readings, Two Quotes: A Reflection


The question of acceptance is as deep and old as human existence is. For identity, acceptance is a more pressing question. For LGBT community, acceptance is a matter of existence. In “Being there for nonbinary youth” (Ethrenhalt, 2016) and “Already on the shelf: Queer readings of award-winning children’s literature” (Ryan & Hermann-Wilmarth, 2013), queer identities are projected into public space and discussion for a more critical understanding. Specifically, straightness and heterosexuality give way to a critical discussion of queerness not only as a change-in-gender/sexuality experience but, perhaps more importantly, as a comprehensive experience cutting across a diversity of political, economic, social, racial, cultural and, of course, gender lines. For current purposes, a quotation from each text is mentioned and discussed in order to show what each quote represent about each reading and identify connections, if any, between each.
The most striking quote from “Being there for nonbinary youth,” in my opinion, is: Once educators recognize their own behaviors and microaggressions, they’re better equipped to identify microaggressions, bullying and harassment when they happen in schools. Even if it appears minor, these behaviors need to be interrupted in the moment. Too often transgender students expect no assistance from teachers; being ostracized becomes the norm. As one trans middle school student—who is now homeschooled— attests, “As long as it doesn’t escalate to a screaming match, they think everything looks fine [emphasis added].” (Ethrenhalt)
The understanding by instructors in class, as explained in above quote, of inner insecurities queer students experience is, I strongly believe, of paramount importance in order for instructors to
TWO READINGS, TWO QUOTES

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