May 4, 2024
Letter to the Editor; All newspapers
Dear Sirs,
The recent expulsion of two girls from Saint James High School, for sharing a kiss that was videoed and later displayed online, has brought to light the deeply ingrained homophobia that goes beyond the principal or governing body of Saint James High School, but also to other institutions and the entire educational system. It is distressing to witness the repercussions of this discriminatory action. The difficulty faced by one of the parents who desperately tried to enroll her child into another institution is a painful indicator of the deeper systematic issue.
This incident is not isolated but rather symptomatic of a pervasive scholarly bias against even the hint of a difference in sexual orientation among individuals at all levels of schooling. As someone who has personally endured years of homophobic bullying and verbal abuse that was ignored by principals and teachers, I am acutely aware of the damaging effects of such prejudice. No child deserves the abuse that is meted out to them, and the continuation of practices like those allegedly carried out by Principal Williams perpetuates the harmful notion that queer adolescents are somehow less deserving of respect and fair treatment. If this kiss was shared between a boy and a girl, as so often happens, such an egregious abuse of a child’s rights would not have occurred. This is a subjective heterosexual bias, that if left unchecked poses serious harm to our children, and could affect any child who is seen as “different” or non-conforming.
Denying a child access to education simply because her actions did not conform to heterosexual norms is not only discriminatory but also a violation of the child’s fundamental right to learn. It is incumbent upon our educators and school leaders to create environments where all students, regardless of their perceived nature, feel safe and are nurtured.
School leaders should not be allowed to weaponize their personal biases against students, especially to the extent that they are able to use their authority to marginalize and expel them. It is imperative that we challenge such discriminatory behavior as it is not only an abuse of power but more importantly, a direct breach of the Care and Protection Act which governs the rights of all Jamaican children and their caregivers. We must actively endeavor to work intentionally towards a safer, accepting and more inclusive school environment.
Sincerely,
A concerned Queertegonian
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