I think this just goes to show how the whole system is messed up, and does not have the students best interests in mind. I think that creating barriers to entry is important for safety and regulatory purposes, creating SO many where students cannot even have access to basic needs, makes it apparent that something needs to change. I think that the system has failed so many kids and continues to do so, as well as the families and parents that want their children to get the help that they need .

This makes me wonder about how schools and administrators can do better to serve the individual needs of special needs students. Given the large amount of students that qualify as special needs, I wonder if it would be helpful for districts to break down the term further and then adjust the education based on that. Yet, I think this would pose more problems or not even be able to be jumpstarted due to funding, lack of resources, etc. I think there is just a vicious cycle that has been created because of the stigma around special needs students, and I wonder what the best course of action would be to take.

This made me think of the educational system itself, and how it was never built to serve all sorts of people, and that is why we struggle with creating equal opportunities for all today. In the past, education was a privilege, and many did not have access to it. I think that this structure and history has made it easier for the people it was originally meant for, often times white men, to get by and succeed in these types of environments. I think it is this imbalance of power in society and control that has caused inequality in every aspect of life. Yet, this is what some would argue makes our society be successful. Those who are privileged get to take advantage of those below them, and help themselves rise up while stepping on others.

I like how this highlights the effects of systematic issues on all aspects of society. I think that it is important to note that all these issues which we have been learning about, whether it be racism, sexism, homophobia, etc, have an effect on each other and are often used together in bringing down marginalized groups of people. I think that many times, we look at situations and can think "oh, that is racism." While this is true, I think if we look deeper, beyond the surface, we can find that many situations stem from a multitude of problems. This could be because of your gender, which is then amplified because of the color of your skin. I think that there is no one treatment to fixing these issues, but it is more so a collective effort the change the narrative surrounding these groups of people.

I feel like this sentiment applies to so many different aspects of life. I think that in general, we love to pick apart people based on judgements and how we perceive others to be based on our lived experiences. I think that, while this does have some good, it is even more important to get out of own bubble and be able to look at things from different perspectives. I think that if you constantly stay in a state of no change, then it is easy to hate and be uncomfortable when things start to change. Humanity is so diverse, yet at our core, we are the same. I think we need to remember that and start treating each other with more respect and love that we all deserve.

I think that this is something a lot of people realize and get into their minds. Oftentimes, it can be easy to ascribe ourselves to something because it is a major part of our life. Yet, I think it is important that we acknowledge the vast qualities and differences that make us all unique and human at the same time. For example, just because someone is diagnosed with Down Syndrome does not mean they are limited. People with these conditions still live normal lives and often share experiences that many of us do, like falling in love, going to school, having hobbies, etc. I think society loves to give people labels to fixate on, but I think we should focus more on what mkes us "us" and not what society tells us to be.

I think this is so true and can be applied to other systematic issues that plague society. For example, if no one ever spoke up about the issues of racism and how people of color were treated unfairly in America, then no change would have occurred. The only way to make things "right" and to make sure that change is possible is to speak up about it. By silencing voices and making sure that you cannot take a stance, it allows those in opposition and those who want to stop anything from happening to take over.

I think that this is so true, because we live in a culture that has made being "gay" a bad thing. Since many structures in society are made up of people being seen as "normal" which means being a while, straight, male, it makes it hard for the LGBTQ to exist. This, in turn, makes it easier for people to rag on those in the community and pass off homophobia as a "joke" or as a justified comment. People have made it the "norm" to hate people that are gay or to be perceived as gay. You should "want" to be straight or you should want to conform, because only then you will be able to be treated as a normal person. That is what society wants you to think and often promotes as we are growing up.

I never really saw coming out in this light, and I find it interesting to think about. I think that sexuality does play a big role in how people view you as a person and treat you, and when you have to come out to everyone single new person you meet, that can be exhausting. I think that this also is subjective to individual experiences, but there are commonalities in collective groups. I think that the idea that coming out is supposed to be a huge thing is also a result of the culture we have created that is focused on being heterosexual. Why should someone who is gay have to tell everyone they meet and make sure people are cool with it, when straight people do not have to worry about it? I think this goes to show how taboo being gay or apart of the LGBTQ community is and how it has affected the queer community in general.

I really like this statement mentioned here. I feel like this happens in society more often than not. I think that when you take a neutral point on a topic or take a step back, those with stronger opinions will take over and take the spotlight. I think this is especially true in areas such as politics, where the middle ground is often overlooked by extremists. I think that it is important to understand two sides of an issue, but there has to be a level of respect had for each side. I think when you take a step back and allow one side to be ragged on, that is when it is necessary to step in and make sure they everyone has a voice and can express themselves in a safe environment.

I think this is an interesting parallel in which being out to the public as apart of the LGBTQ community can be both a good and bad thing. As mentioned, being able to be your true self and not live in the shadows of society wants you to be in a riveting feeling. Yet, it also makes us subject to discrimination from those around you for breaking free from those cultural strains. I think that this is why it is important to provide students with these resources and support, so that they know they are not alone, and have people that do love and support them.

Growing up and looking back, I can see how prevalent this was in school. I cannot recall any exposure to the LGBTQ community in books or in history classes, and I think that is a part of society that is often overlooked. People that are not heterosexual have existed for thousands of years, and I find it interesting how their thoughts and feelings have been covered up over time. I think this ignorance is what has helped contribute to this culture of being LBGTQ as taboo and not normal. I think especially recently, with the push the go beyond the set boundaries and accept others with different views and values, has helped in acceptance and assimilation into pop culture, but it still has a long way to go.

I feel like a lot of people relate to this because growing up, you are told how to act and what to do based on your gender. I think that parents and adults have a tendency to push you into what they want and expect you to be. I do think this is valid, yet also raises questions about the ability to make your own decisions and if you are of the appropriate mind to make that kind of decision. I do think structure is good in life, and that having a sense of direction is good. But, I also think that if someone wants to try something new or stray from that path, then they should have the right to do so.

This in interesting to note because I have seen this witnessed in so many different aspects of my life. Many times growing up, I was told to act a certain way or to do certain because I am a boy. I should not play with dolls, I should not care about my appearance, and so much more. This also translated into conforming to what a heterosexual man is "supposed" to be. Don't do this or that because that is gay, or people will think you are gay and do you want that to happen? I think that there is so much negative connotation to being anything other than a white straight male in society, and I think that really messes with the brains of adolescents growing up, especially those questioning their identity.

I think this is interesting to note how many systematic issues in society, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. are related to each other and affect one another. This kind of makes me wonder if there was one problem that "started it all" or if they all came about on their own over time. I think that many of these ideas build off of each other and come with their own baggage. For example, if you were born a man, then you are "supposed" to be the breadwinner, marry a nice, and support your family. If you are a woman, many times, you were expected to take care of the household, stay at home, and obey your husband. These narratives have been pushed for decades, and when there are new ideas and ways of living that go against the norm, then that is where "issues" start to come about.