New York immigrant workshop.

As coordinator of the Out for Equity program in the Saint Paul, Minnesota Public Schools, I recently conducted training for teachers about homophobia in schools. After my presentation I handed out evaluation forms. At the top of the form participants were to fill in the workshop's name. In most

cases people wrote "GLBT," or "Alan Horowitz," or "Diversity Training." One person, however, wrote "New York Immigrant Workshop." As a dark haired, Jewish, native New Yorker, trying to adapt to a totally unfamiliar culture, I was hit hard and hurt by this comment. Though the remainder of the evaluations were positive--on a 1-5 scale, ratings averaged 4.6; comments included: "nice work," "effectively presented," and "enthusiastic"--when I went to sleep that night, "New York Immigrant Workshop" echoed in my head drowning out all the praise and positive feedback.

I share this anecdote for two reasons. First, it reminds me of the power of language. Like me, students who are targets of verbal abuse spend a lot of mental energy contemplating and recovering from the impact of disrespectful behavior. Even though I am a fairly secure individual, a stranger's remark can challenge my sense of self, because disrespectful comments trigger internalized oppression. I wonder how young people who experience ridicule on a daily basis can make enough space in their head to feel good about themselves and learn.

Second, this story illustrates my frustration in attempting to improve school climate. If adults don't model respectful behavior with students and with each other it is impossible for us to expect it from young people. This seems like such a simple message, yet disrespectful behavior continues to thrive and impede the learning of students every day.

So what can we do?

On a personal level, we can model respectful behavior. Use the age old litmus test question, "If someone said/ did this to me, how would I feel?" If the answer is bad, DON'T DO IT. This is a message we need to remind our students of every day.

On an interpersonal level, responding to those who experience disrespectful behavior is important, but making every effort to confront those who behave disrespectfully is key. Each time hurtful words or actions occur, appropriate intervention needs to follow. On an institutional level, we need to clearly communicate a shared understanding of rights, responsibilities, and rules. Policies need to be discussed and explained in concrete simple language and enforced consistently. Teasing, bullying, and harassment infect the minds of young people, which impedes learning. Our job as educators is to insure safety and respect so young minds will be filled with knowledge instead of hate.

Alan Horowitz

Saint Paul, Minnesota