Final Project: Multicultural Literature: LGBTQ

Introduction

In a world where thousands of books are published a year there are several groups of people who are underrepresented within our literature, especially in children’s and adolescent literature. For my final project I decided to focus on the LBGTQ community, specifying in the portrayal of gay teen characters. As I began my search for rich, quality books that have a gay main character I was quickly enlightened as to the lack of books that are available in this group. After extensive research, I was able to select several quality books that portrayed the gay character in a manner that attempted to avoid stereotypes discussed sexuality in a sensitive manner and had universal themes that are relatable to most readers. After I was able to pick out these books, the hardest part was finding them in a bookstore. I went to several bookstores and was unable to find any of my prospective book choices. This just goes to prove the point that not only is this group underrepresented in literature but when there is good literature about the LGBTQ community, it is rare to find it on the shelves. The three books I chose each have a different focus. One is a children’s picture book that tells a true story of a gay penguin couple, another book is about the struggles of self-denial and finally the last book focuses on a high school student dealing with the aftermath of coming out. Each book brings something new to the experiences of a gay character and provides readers a new base for understanding someone who may differ from them yet may also share many of the same experiences as they do. The three books I am recommending are Absolutely, Positively Not, And Tango Makes Three and Out of the Pocket.

Book Review 1: And Tango Makes Three

Richardson, Justin & Peter Parnell. And Tango Makes Three. New York, NY; Simon & Schuster, INC., 2005.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell is a true story about two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who live in the Central Park Zoo. Unlike the other penguin pairs, Roy and Silo choose each other despite that they are both males. Since they cannot produce a child, they build a nest and nurture a small pebble to fill the void of being childless. When they are given an opportunity to hatch an egg, Roy and Silo defy standards to create a family of their own. And Tango Makes Three gives us the story of true love without regulations and reminds readers that a family is what you make it to be.

Richardson captures the perfect combination of human nature at its finest and undeniable love. This picture book not only has illustrations that enhance the text but the story itself is true. Richardson is able to touch on the sensitive subject of homosexuality but does it in a way that is understandable to any age by not making it the focus of the text. Through the use of this real life story, Richardson reminds readers that these penguins relationship was natural. Overall And Tango Makes Three is a great reminder that love is not determined by gender but it is defined by selflessness, commitment and love for each other. Roy and Silo are nature’s way of showing love in its purest form.

Book Review 2: Absolutely, Positively Not

LaRochelle, David. Absolutely, Positively Not. New York, NY; Arthur A. Levine Books, 2005.
If there’s one thing Stephen learns in high school, it’s that being a ladies man may entail more than he expected. Absolutely, Positively Not by David LaRochelle brings laughter to the journey through high school and personal acceptance. Sixteen year old Stephen loves to square dance with his mom and spend time with his best friend Rachel. When a new teacher arrives at his school his world gets turned upside down. Stephen’s daydreams have a new lead role featuring his teacher who just happens to be male. Sneaking a peak at an old library book, Stephen learns that in order turn away these thoughts he must make everything in his life more masculine. Through rubber band therapy, hanging with the manly clique and dating as many girls as possible Stephen explores a variety of experiences on his journey of self-denial. After realizing that all his efforts are not fixing his “problem”, he must face his fears, tell Rachel and begin to embrace who he truly is. To Stephens’s surprise, Rachel knew all along and is glad that he finally admitted it to her and himself. When Stephen realizes that maybe his sexuality has been obvious to more than just him it becomes his choice to deny his identity or accept it.

LaRochelle tells the story of a teenage boy learning to not only accept but also embrace his identity. Through Stephen’s fights with Rachel about starting a Gay/Straight Alliance at school, getting talked into bring a dog as a date to the school dance and meekness towards gay jokes at school, LaRochelle adds a combination of humor and sensitivity to a subject that tends to be over stereotyped. As readers follow Stephen through his journey of self-discovery they will be able to laugh with Stephen at his misunderstandings yet they will also be able to see that beyond the fluff of humor, Stephen does face real struggles in accepting his identity. No matter your sexuality, you will be able to relate to the awkward stages of adolescence, the crushes and the struggle in figuring out who you are .LaRochelle does an absolutely, positively great job covering a vast array of issues that are in some way relatable to all.

Book Review 3: Out of the Pocket

Konigsberg, Bill. Out of the Pocket. New York, NY: Penguin Group INC., 2008.

As if being a star high school quarterback doesn’t carry enough stress, Bobby Framingham has a whole other load of problems that begin to consume his life and put his future at stake. Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg tells the story of 17 year old Bobby, who is in the spotlight of his senior year. While Bobby’s teammates are talking about hooking up with girls, he is coming to the realization that he is gay. In a world where openly gay pro sports players are a needle in a haystack, Bobby chooses to only confide in a select few people that will protect not only his secret but also his future in sports. When a conniving reporter from his school spills his protected secret, Bobby is forced to deal with national media attention that brings tension between him and his teammates. In order to pull his life back together, Bobby must face supportive and non-supportive teammates, his parents, his coach, the media and the boy that is beginning to play a big part in his life. While someone called a different play for Bobby’s life than he expected, it’s his turn to step up and become the successful young man he is inside.

Out of the Pocket combines two topics that in our society are typically stereotyped as not being correlated; being gay & athletes. Konigsberg tackles these subjects with a powerful message that reminds readers that sexuality shouldn’t define anyone’s success. Bobby is a college prospect quarterback but when his secret is leaked to the press, there is a scare that his dreams of playing college sports are destroyed. While Bobby’s sexuality has no effect on his football skills, once it is out in the open he gets thrown into the spotlight for being a gay star quarterback. While Bobby attempts to return his team’s camaraderie to the playfulness it was before he came out, he still experiences resistance from several teammates that can’t get past his sexual orientation. Bobby holds his head high, embraces who he is and realizes that he has become a role model of hope for others that were like him, hiding their true identity. Konigsberg may use football as the vehicle for delivering his ideas but the real story is something that can be applied to all. While you may not be in the media spotlight or a star quarterback, this book emphasizes to readers that they are not alone in their struggles. With a storyline that could unfold at any high school, Konigsberg gives young readers something to relate to, no matter their location.

Article: Bridging Multicultural Education; Bringing Sexual Orientation into the Children's and Young Adult Literature Classrooms

Scholarly Article

Swartz, Patti Capel. Radical Teacher: Bridging Multicultural Education; Bringing Sexual Orientation into the Children's and Young Adult Literature Classrooms. Cambridge: Spring 2003. , Iss. 66; pg. 11

In her article, Patti Swartz explains that in an effort to bring multicultural literature into elementary and secondary classrooms, there has been a lack of representation for certain groups. The LGBTI community’s experiences have yet to be integrated into most school curriculum. There is a need for students to recognize the prejudices of the LGBTI community. It is important to make connections between stereotypes and oppressions to show student’s that our lives are not based solely on sexuality but instead there are many components that build a person. By not including this community into school curriculum, we are not attempting to rid students of their stereotypes instead we are allowing them to keep their misconceptions and prejudices by excluding this community from discussions. Swartz feels that by bringing these issues to student’s attention in literature classes allows them to read books with characters that identify as part of the LGBTI community, discuss issues and also write about them. For school districts that do not include anti-homophobic education in their curriculum, it is important for teachers to educate themselves on prejudices and methods for discussing homophobia, stereotypes and prejudices. These curriculum plans may include discussing name calling in order to explain why it is harmful and demeaning, challenging ideas about sexuality and teaching student’s to think about what our society constructs as “natural” and “normal.” Opening up discussion about sexuality and homophobia can change the way children perceive others and these ideas can be reinforced through reading. If schools are committed to providing students with multicultural literature and education, they cannot deprive students of learning about all groups, including the LGBTI community.

"AS IF!"

While doing some research for my final project I came across this blog: http://asifnews.blogspot.com/

This blog is about authors supporting intellectual freedom. It brought me right back to our discussion about censorship and deciding what books we will place in our classroom. I just thought it was an interesting site and wanted to share it with you!

Unbelieveable. In more than one way.

First off, GO STATE! National Championship here we come!

Yesterday I went to pick up snacks for the game at Kroger. When I started walking into the store there were several people standing outside the store so I stopped to see what was going on. One table was a group of girl scouts selling cookies, nothing out of the ordinary. Next to them stood a man wearing a Kroger apron holding a can. On this can it said "Help the retarded." I went into the store unable to get this guy and his can off my mind. As a special education major, I'm sure that I am more affected by the terminology and technicalities because it is something that I constantly face but I couldn't help but wonder if other people were affected by this too. I got back in my car and told my friends about this guy standing outside. Both of them (who are not special education majors) said they couldn't believe the can said "retarded." One friend then asked me what term I would prefer for the can to say. Honestly, I struggled thinking of any word I would want this man to have on his can. I now wish I would have taken the time to ask him about his cause and inquire more about his word choice. This is just another reminder that these are the types of things we face everyday, even outside of Kroger!