I have used the N word in class in a similar context. My students 90% of which are African American are VERY homophobic. They hurl homosexual insults often and then say it's OK because they say they did not call someone gay only that they acted like it. Either way they are using the terms to describe negative attributes to a group of people. So I used the N word to illustrate how if the same types of insults were used in the same way but N was substituted they would be pissed and upset. Then I asked them how they think a gay student or student with gay parents would feel overhearing their insults. I tell them constantly that we don't use terms of disgrace to describe actions attributed to an entire group of people. I have *almost* eradicated both the N word and the homosexual insults from their school language but I know they probably still use them at home.

I know this is not the same situation as reading a book to 1st graders but it is what happens on an older level. At least in my experience.

__________________

The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas