>From: gwyn@thunder.indstate.edu (Thomas W. Holt Jr.)
>Date: Tue, 26 Apr 94 07:48 GMT

ANTI-SLUR PROGRAM

   Compiled by Support Services for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth,
Healthy Kids, Healthy San Francisco program of the San Francisco Unified
School District, School Health Programs Department, 1512 Golden Gate
Avenue, San Francisco CA 94115; ph=415-749-3400; fax=415-749-3420.

   The San Francisco Board of Education adopted a policy regarding use of
slurs by students, officials, and employees.  This policy views the use of
slurs against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, national
origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability as
unacceptable behavior.  Willful or neglectful use of slurs is seen as
incompatible with the mission of the San Francisco Unified School District
to provide a safe, educational environment for students.

   Slurs are not always acknowledged as being painful and oppressive.
Describing someone as a nigger, spic, faggot, or chink, attacks a person's
self-esteem.  Further, use of these terms by students teaches that
derogatory statements about others are acceptable.

   Our responsibility as educators includes creating a learning environment
that respects diversity.  This means imposing consequences for name
calling.  The SFUSD Student Handbook prescribes clear disciplinary
guidelines to be implemented when slurs occur.

   Contact Support Services for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth at
415-749-3400 if you would like assistance in dealing with slurs on your
campus.

   Exercise for Establishing Classroom Rules (Adapted from "Name Calling,
Equity Institute, Emeryville CA)
      1.  Have students brainstorm names they have heard called.

      2.  List all suggestions on the  board.

      3.  Discuss the following categories, and group names accordingly:
          racial, sexual, ethnic, sexual orientation, religious, ability.


      4.  Educate students that all name calling involves prejudice, and
          is equally harmful.

      5.  State that none of the listed names is acceptable in your
          classroom, and that name calling will not be tolerated.

      6.  Explain why, and discuss possible consequences, as found in
          the "Student Handbook."

      7.  Discuss how students can become allies of victims of name calling.

   You can control classroom behavior.  By reacting immediately to slurs,
students will feel safe in the classroom.

-*-*-*-*-*
Jessea Greenman, SAO, ESPM, UCB
112 Giannini Hall, Berkeley CA 94720
510-642-6730; <jessea@nature.berkeley.edu>
"If the world were a logical place,
        men would ride side-saddle." Rita Mae Brown