Last class began with instructions from Julian on how to write an outline. I believe this will come in handy, especially in this class where we must write an outline for credit. I have been writing outlines for years, so this wasn’t exactly new to me, but it stressed the importance of doing so. Regardless of how long I have been writing outlines, I could always use tips and this activity showed me a more concise way to write an outline. I know I will use this in the near future. Afterwards, we attended what Jaimie called an “Awareness Fair”. We split up into four groups and went through four scenarios together to simulate various disabilities. They were mostly reading, learning and intellectual disabilities such as seeing how one with eye impairment feels or someone with dyslexia. Then we split into two groups; one activity involved taking a wheel chair across the building and the other simulated Autism by having each of us read with distractions. All of the activities gave me insight, a small glimpse, as to how someone with a disability might feel on a daily basis, in and outside of the classroom setting. I can understand how frustrating at times it may be. The wheelchair activity was powerful because it showed me how inaccessible the Bell Tower is. This in turn got me thinking about how other schools might be the same and that if it isn’t brought to the school’s attention they might not realize how inaccessible parts of their campus might be. The other activity also opened my eyes. I have always been fairly good at paying attention to multiple things and focusing on one, but this activity proved difficult. I never realized how truly difficult simply focusing on one task might be for someone with a disability such as Autism. We then had a discussion about the reading and whether disability is part of diversity. Disabilities are in fact underrepresented and it has become evident that schools do the minimal to accommodate students with disabilities. This past week has made me realize how students with disabilities face discrimination in various ways and has got me thinking what I can do to help change things.
This week’s readings centered on Gender and Sexual Orientation in Education. I honestly don’t know why someone’s sexual orientation is such an issue, whether in regards to marriage or education. The readings sparked some anger in me as to why certain people are being secluded based upon their gender or sexual orientation. Education should be equal for everyone. Chapter 9 in Diversity in Higher Education focused on Gender Equity in Higher Education. It discussed the various gender gaps in education and discussed reasons why certain genders might be applying more so for certain majors based on a multitude of factors. I just recently watched a movie that was set years ago at an all-girls school and many of the girls were getting married because “that was what a woman was supposed to do” in their eyes. Education also steers female and males into different directions and that has created gaps. Chapter 10 talked about LGBT Students, Faculty, and Staff. I grew up with a best friend who is out about his sexual orientation and liking the same sex. For me, it is shocking as to why anyone wouldn’t be accepting of another based on that fact, but it does happen and much too often. There is a history in the LGBT community and I enjoy watching movies such as Milk, but am also saddened that it is even an issue. I have always heard about LGBT on campus, as brought up in the book, but I have never attended. Partly because of the label of the group and not wanting people to group me as “lesbian” even though I am not and would go to support my friends. I like the point the book makes on creating a group with less label to accept all students for diversity. Beyond a Binary: The Lives of Gender-Nonconforming Youth showed me how different it is to grow up now than it was years ago. We have more resources and more students coming out that can help support students today. Although I am sad that many have had to suffer and still do, it gives me hope that there is growing support. I can’t even begin to imagine the feelings brought up in the readings, of feeling gender different at a young age. I can relate somewhat because I had a friend who hadn’t come out until high school and I remember how terrified he was to come out to his mother and friends, yet how much support he got from everyone, as well as some not to supportive looks from strangers. It is true, as this article mentions, that you must restructure relationships when you come out. The next reading, Lipstick and Labcoats: Undergraduate Women’s Gender Negotiation in STEM Fields, discusses the experiences of women in undergraduate education, the changes that they have made, and the impacts it has had. There are various explanations set forth, such as biological, social, structural and psychological. It is no secret that men and women are socialized differently from birth and impacts them later in life, including their educational career. This reading conducted studies in order to get a better idea on the topic. There are different pressures put on each gender and, as demonstrated in the reading, it follows them through college and beyond. Lastly, there was a short article online about a Ventura high school choosing not to allow Chick-Fil-A to participate in their fundraiser. It is clearly a touchy subject and I understand their choice in not allowing them and I also understand the other side’s point on including them would be demonstrating inclusion and not seclusion. Overall, I enjoyed the readings and learned a lot although it was very thick.
