Malinowitz

Before You Read:

I define the term queer as someone who is gay/lesbian, but I define it more as an offensive word, rather than one to actually define a person who is gay. Often times, whenever I see or hear the word queer, it is usually used in a derogatory manner. Personally, I find it somewhat offensive to the gay/lesbian community, and I personally have gay friends who feel the same. If the word wasn't always used in that way, I feel that it would be more acceptable.

Summary:

In Malinowitz' article, she discusses how teacher should be able to create a non-prejudice environment in which gay and lesbian students can be able to learn. She explains that teachers must be comfortable around their students and vice-versa in order for there to be mutual ground on which to learn. She also argues that gay and lesbians are often times looked down upon in society and that many gay and lesbian students are afraid to identify themselves because of this reason. Malinowitz goes on to discuss that many gay and lesbian students have different ways of expressing themselves, and people should be accepting of that. She also explains how gay and lesbian students have a different literary identity than straight students.

Synthesis:

In this article, I related Malinowitz to McCloud because many gay & lesbian students hide behind a mask because they are afraid of being persecuted and judged. Another author that I found similar was Malcolm X. The segregation of the 1960's against african americans is not much different than today's segregation/prejudice against gays and lesbians. Another author I synthesized with was Porter, because both article talk of the discourse communities and how learning about another community can benefit both sides as well as understanding.

Response	Quotation
I like this quote because it shows how people of different backgrounds are able to contribute into the multiliteracied environments. Doing so allows us to learn about their discourse community and ultimately gain knowledge about their culture.	“A prodigious literature has in fact emerged, the aim of which is to reshape our consciousness of how different groups of people make meaning in a multiliteracied environment” (Malinowitz 111).
I feel that this is a very important quote because if a student is not comfortable in the classroom, they will not be able to work to their full potential. We need to work together as a society to try and eliminate the prejudices in the classroom in order for students to excel.	“Creating an academic environment in which the complexities of lesbian and gay subjectivity can enter discourse will, first of all, entail “outing” realms of experience, fear, feeling, and prejudice that have not been substantively dealt with in our classes and departments before” (Malinowitz 112).
I like this quote because Malinowitz addresses the problem that whenever this subject is brought up, we associate it with personal identity. I believe that we don’t always have to associate it with a “personal identity”, rather we can look at it from a different perspective.	“Often, when lesbian and gay existence is discussed at all, it is consigned to the category of “personal identity”” (Malinowitz 115).
Malinowitz discusses how a person’s background often times determines their thoughts on gay and lesbian ideas. Unfortunately, I believe that society will never fully accept the gay and lesbian culture as a norm, mainly because all people are brought up differently and pass down their beliefs to others and so on.	“Predictably, age, gender, race, and class locations of students positioned them differently regarding the ways the interpreted lesbian and gay experience as well as specific texts about that experience” (Malinowitz 123).
I found this very interesting because Malinowitz uses first hand accounts of students that are gay/lesbian in the classroom. When I read this, I found the article more interesting and realistic. This quote was significant because I found that the usage of the word has definitely changed since the 1990's. Many people use it as a condescending word towards gays.	“Narratives by and about lesbian and gay students who have taken one or the other of my gay-themed writing classes, along with samples and analyses of their work, are at the heart of this book” (Malinowitz 125). “The contempory term ‘queer,’ used mostly by younger activists and artists, conveys in popular jargon the basic idea of a broad category embracing a spectrum of those who deviate from the heterosexual norm" (Malinowitz 126).

Applying and Exploring Ideas:

One language that identify with is my ethnicity. I take pride and understanding in my hispanic heritage, as I am half cuban. I grew up with my mom and grandpa telling me stories of how they left the country and how they worked hard to get where they are today. I always apply that thinking to most of what I do, especially now that I'm in college. I try and work hard and do things to the best of my ability. If I didn't have this part of me, or if someone tried to take it away, I would have to say I wouldn't be the same person I am today. However, this has never happened to me.

Thoughts:

I really liked this reading and how Malinowitz structured her article. It was very easy to read and could be applied to all any student. I was able to relate to it, through the multicultural aspect, because of my hispanic heritage. It was interesting to see how the outlook on gays and lesbians has changed since the article was written. This was a very informative article and an easy read.