I was recently reminded of a little story I'd forgotten about. Two years ago, one of my friends, who's a few years younger than me, took the required health class at her high school. When I took that class I went to the same school, but had a different teacher. Thank the Lawd I did.
She came home from school one day almost in tears because of something her teacher had said in health class. They were at the point in the curriculum where the teacher is supposed to cover HIV/AIDS - general education about the disease, as well as preventative tactics. Instead, the teacher merely told the class a joke. He walked over to the human dummy laying on the classroom floor and said, "Who wants to know what you do with a person who has AIDS?" And the class raised their hands...so he kicked and stomped on the dummy. And apparently, according to my friend, several of the kids in the class laughed. The teacher laughed.
People actually laughed at it. Is this just insane, or am I imagining things? After he kicked the dummy, he made a blatantly anti-gay comment, although I can't remember exactly what it was. Probably just some mumbling about "faggots with AIDS," but nevertheless, I can't believe a teacher would say or do such a thing.
My friend told her mother about it, who called the school and informed them -- apparently NOBODY ELSE from the class complained. Maybe they just thought it was too funny. The school ultimately did nothing about it, I suppose because there wasn't any proof, since only one person reported it.
I guess I don't ultimately have any conclusion for this story...no happy ending...just a little snippet for the rest of you of what may be going on in your local high school's health class. A little sample of the still nearly mentally-retarded yet sadly common idea of what AIDS is and who can get it. I hope you're as pissed off as I am.
Cheers,
Adrienne
Wow, IF I was in that class and I heard that remark from the teacher I would probably rip that person a new one. My uncle died from AIDS in 2003 and he was Gay.
You know what, I think that I will post something like this on mine. I'll even probably post a link to your's if you don't mind. If you do I will take the link off.
I am sorry about your uncle...that is so horrible. I can't believe how inconsiderate some people are. At least we know your uncle went to a better place then that health teacher is headed for...
I don't mind if you post a link to my blog in your entry. I will look forward to reading what you write!
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i'm giving this blogging thing a try, but music comes easier...http://www.myspace.com/myfutureself
Oh...I am as pissed as you are. I can not beleive that a teacher would do something like that - not only is it juvinille and an act of pure stupidity, but it's not in any way even a passable education on the subject.
Peace
Tahni
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"Tell me - if no one ever hears what you say, then why don't you shout it?" -- Floater