This conversation was the result of me feeling like I needed to exercise my right, as a citizen, to express my feelings to a man who was supposedly representing me in Nashville.
To: sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov
date Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 11:51 AM
subject the Don't Say Gay bill
mailed-bygmail.com
I am assuming that you have an education, a conscience, and a brain, yet you promote hatred and shame in children and adults alike through thoughtless actions such as this bill. You pretend to believe that this bill is to keep children with mailable minds from being brainwashed. What you are doing is bigoted. You appear to be intolerant and you are imposing your beliefs on others in such a way that they would be breaking a law if they do not agree with you. Horrible... This action is so horrible. I am so emotionally charged by this and I apologize for that, as I believe I would make a more coherent and effective point if I was more calm. I apologize to those who I am letting down. I do not apologize to you. I hope that you will understand what you have done, sooner rather than later and take steps to fix it. I don't know how you can, but as they say, all actions have a reaction. If you do not fix this, it will haunt you. Karma is real and so are the memories of the people, the trail of knowledge on the Internet, and disapproval of thousands if not millions.
I am so ashamed of you. It makes my heart hurt for all the people who are going to be, and are affected by this bill. I myself am not gay and it has caused a feeling of disgust in my heart. There is not enough forgiveness to save you from this mistake. Shame Shame Shame
Cindy Faller, U.S. Citizen. Educator. Knoxville Resident, World Resident.
It is actions like this that will always prevent me from voting for the Republican party, no matter how much I might consider the economic policies worth listening to. AGH... Your actions make me sick.
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fromStacey Campfield sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov
toCindy Van-Heyningen <cindyfaller@gmail.com>
dateFri, Jun 10, 2011 at 4:03 PM
subjectRE: the Don't Say Gay bill
While I appreciate your passion, I still feel it is a parents responsibility to
decide when a child is ready to grasp such a complex issue as sexuality and what
they want to tell the child about that complex subject.
All children develop mentally at different rates. I do not feel a teacher with an agenda (Be it pro
or con) is the appropriate person to decide "Now is the time" for an entire class just because
they may think one way or another on an issue and want to espouse it. A teacher is not a trained child psychologist or psychiotrist and could do as much harm as good. I doubt
you would want a teacher who said "Homosexuality is evil, dirty and wrong" just because
they felt that it was what is appropriate, that it is what they thought the children needed to and were ready to hear.
We already have anti bullying legislation passed it Tennessee (In fact I co sponsored it 2 or 3 years ago when it passed) so all children are protected from bullying in our schools.
While there is a scientific need to mention the basics of heterosexuality when teaching the basics of reproduction (XY chromosomes, etc.) there is no scientific need to mention homosexuality as homosexuals do not naturally reproduce. We are falling behind the rest of the world in math, science, and English amongst other things. This will be just one less issue teachers have to worry about teaching as part of their curricula.
Yours in service,
Sen. Stacey Campfield
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From: Cindy Van-Heyningen [mailto:cindyfaller@gmail.com]
Sent: Fri 6/10/2011 8:59 PM
To: Stacey Campfield
Subject: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 4:03 PM, Stacey Campfield <sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov> wrote:
"While I appreciate your passion, I still feel it is a parents responsibility to
decide when a child is ready to grasp such a complex issue as sexuality and what
they want to tell the child about that complex subject."
I am passionate. I feel that a teacher's job is to help students become more aware of their world, the issues, the facts, and themselves. I do not feel like it is my job to discuss what is moral or immoral. I do not talk to my students about what God they worship and whether or not the celebrate birthdays. We discuss the fact that there are different religions, that religion is infused in our history, or government, and the forming of this nation and many others. We discuss the facts of there being various races of people, cultural differences and similarities. We discuss the world as being interconnected. We do not highlight certain people and discuss their morality or immorality. We just acknowledge that people exist and live in many different ways.
"All children develop mentally at different rates. I do not feel a teacher with an agenda (Be it proor con) is the appropriate person to decide "Now is the time" for an entire class just because they may think one way or another on an issue and want to espouse it."
So what I hear you saying is that the issue at hand, is not the acknowledgement of homosexuality, rather it is an issue with the possibility that teachers would push an agenda on their students, whatever that agenda may be. Perhaps legislation focusing on this issue would be more effective and more appropriate. In fact, I believe that most teachers are well aware that this type of behavior is not in the best interest of the children, or their job security. I doubt seriously that most teachers would need such legislation.
"A teacher is not a trained child psychologist or psychiotrist and could do as much harm as good. "
This comment really infuriates me. One does not have to be a trained psychiatrist or child psychologist to know what is good for children. If this was true, why isn't this a requirement for teachers? We have been raising your children for hundreds of years. We know what is wrong and what is right.
"I doubt you would want a teacher who said "Homosexuality is evil, dirty and wrong" just because they felt that it was what is appropriate, that it is what they thought the children needed to and were ready to hear."
I believe I have already addressed this. Again, no teacher should push their beliefs one way or another on a student. To pretend that a group of people doesn't exist is in essence making a big deal of the differences between us. Our cultural does not talk about things that make it uncomfortable. To eliminate a discussion is to say it is "wrong". This is not your right to say to students; it's not my right either.
"We already have anti bullying legislation passed it Tennessee (In fact I co sponsored it 2 or 3 years ago when it passed) so all children are protected from bullying in our schools."
It's almost as if you think that this one action would make you immune to doing something that was wrong or hurtful to people. Sometimes, as we learn in bullying education, even "nice" people can be a bully. I would suggest that you look up the definition of bullying. Pretending that someone isn't who they are, or not allowing anyone to acknowledge the truth of who they are is like telling them who they are is wrong. Bullies tell people that they can't be friends with someone because that person is bad. Bullies tell people that they aren't important. You are telling children that they or their families are bad by turning this into a political issue. You are telling teachers that who they are is to be kept quiet.
"While there is a scientific need to mention the basics of heterosexuality when teaching the basics of reproduction (XY chromosomes, etc.) there is no scientific need to mention homosexuality as homosexuals do not naturally reproduce."
I appreciate your passion, but I completely disagree with you. We do not choose to teach things because they are the norm, the majority, etc. We teach facts. We teach about what is. We do not assign value to it, and we do not assign stigma. We just acknowledge it's existence, as naturally occurring phenomena.
"We are falling behind the rest of the world in math, science, and English amongst other things."
There are so many reasons that this is occurring. If you only knew. I assure you, as many other teachers would, that this conversation, or lack of conversation in schools will not change our success as educators and as a nation.
"This will be just one less issue teachers have to worry about teaching as part of their curricula."
Finally, when I am being micromanaged by legislators who do not do stand in my shoes, or in front of my classroom, I am burdened. I am burdened by your short-mindedness, your desire to win political favor with people who are homophobic, and burdened by the knowledge that I live in a state where such stupidity is discussed, much less voted upon.
In all actuality, this legislation may actually increase my burden. Students who are already at a high risk of committing suicide or being depressed, may actually become more traumatized. I may have to perform emotional triage. That will require the help of child psychologists and psychiatrists, as I am not qualified to help these children, who are being traumatized and bullied by their own government.
Yours, In service,
Cindy Faller, Educator since January 2006
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On Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 1:08 AM, Stacey Campfield <sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov> wrote:
Where do you teach?
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From: Cindy Van-Heyningen [mailto:cindyfaller@gmail.com]
Sent: Sat 6/11/2011 8:15 AM
To: Stacey Campfield
Subject: Re: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
I hope you do not mind, but I would like to know why you would ask me that. I am a Knox County School Employee, and would love to speak with you about this, but do not really want my school involved. This is my own personal issue.
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fromStacey Campfield sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov
toCindy Van-Heyningen <cindyfaller@gmail.com>
dateSun, Jun 12, 2011 at 12:37 AM
subjectRE: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
You claim to be a teacher. I can look it up. I want to know what grade you teach and what subjects. Does this really effect you or are you just arguing this theoretically.
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fromCindy Van-Heyningen cindyfaller@gmail.com
toStacey Campfield <sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov>
dateSun, Jun 12, 2011 at 8:00 AM
subjectRe: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
I am a teacher. I am not avoiding you. I will get back with you after my mom and I finish the garage sale we are hosting. I am not arguing this theoretically. I don't argue for fun. This is important, and I am not trying to waste your time or mine. I just wish I could have discussed this with you before you made this move. I believe that you may have not had all the input necessary to make a really great decision. I applaud that you are working for the "cause". Our students and children need support and protection. I am sure, though, that this is not as beneficial as it is harmful.
Please know that teachers are often blamed for the "falling behind" of our students in math/science. I have never been asked to give feedback, or develop a solution to a problem or create a plan to deal with issues. I have a degree that I worked very hard to get. I work in my classroom and serve students and families. We do have a voice in this conversation. We need not be a scapegoat for any of this. Sorry, off on a tangent. I do not say this to imply that you did not reach out to teachers when making the decision to sponsor this bill. I would like to know, though, what teachers said when you consulted them about this bill, so that I could better understand how this bill could be beneficial.
Anyhow. I'll write back later.
Yours,
Cindy Faller
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fromCindy Van-Heyningen cindyfaller@gmail.com
toStacey Campfield <sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov>
dateMon, Jun 13, 2011 at 10:02 PM
subjectRe: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
Mr. Campfield,
I apologize for the late reply. I have not stopped thinking about our conversation. I had all these plans to bring up research, etc. I think that there is little else to say except to draw similarities between this type of law and the laws that promoted the discrimination of various groups in our American history and in world history.
The bible belt is known as a conservative area. That does not give anyone a right to limit the sharing of information or take away people's civil rights.
A friend of mine, who was raised by two mothers, told me a story about being left out of an art project. The focus of the project was to draw a picture of your family and your home. The teacher told her and her sibling that they would need to sit out on this activity. She is thirty something years old, and still recalls this event with ease. It apparently stuck with her. She expressed to me that she felt she had developed into a good, hard working citizen, and can attribute this clearly to the excellent childhood care, love and guidance that her two mothers gave her.
If this doesn't highlight everything that is wrong with this bill, I don't know what can.
You asked if I was arguing theoretically. The answer is no. If you talk to anyone who teachers anti-bullying or creates anti-bullying lessons, or runs anti-bullying programs, you will find that the culture of a school and/or a family will greatly increase of decrease the chance of children engaging in bullying behavior. Can you just imagine what this law reinforces in the minds of people who whole-heartedly disagree with homosexuality and consider individuals who are homosexuals less than equal, even sick or morally deprived? This law will reinforce this belief system and potentially, if not likely, increase the culture of disrespect/hate for these American citizens. People who do not reproduce are not any less human than anyone else. Infertile males and females can not reproduce. Do we limit or eliminate conversations about this in our biology classrooms? No, we do not.
Finally, on the topic of limiting the curricula teachers have to cover. This will not increase our strength as a nation. Limiting the knowledge of students who are young and developing (within developmental limits) will, in fact put our students farther behind. If you look at countries that are friendly towards homosexuality, there is a trend that supports the idea that acceptance of homosexuals does not relate to school performance in a negative way.
Source: http://www.suite101.com/content/top-10-gay-friendly-places-to-live-a81257 and http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/54/12/46643496.pdf
Anyhow, like I said, I believe this is a civil rights issue. Period.
Cindy Faller
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fromStacey Campfield sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov
toCindy Van-Heyningen <cindyfaller@gmail.com>
dateMon, Jun 13, 2011 at 10:46 PM
subjectRE: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
Well, you may not have avoided responding to my e mail but you sure did avoid responding to my questions. So once again I will re ask them. If you are a teacher where do you teach? What grade? What class? Have you ever talked about these issues or provided guidance to a student on these issues before? If you do not feel there is anything wrong with what you espouse then you should have no problem responding honestly to my questions.
Stacey
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fromCindy Van-Heyningen cindyfaller@gmail.com
toStacey Campfield <sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov>
dateTue, Jun 14, 2011 at 8:01 AM
subjectRe: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
So sorry.
I am a high school teacher. I teach students with emotional disorders (therefore it is not suggested that I tell you exactly what school I teach at). We have students who are gay, as well as staff. Our school is K-12 due to the nature of the program. We are a tight family.)
I did respond to your questions by saying that a school culture, which is affected by these types of "rules" will hurt all students of any age in a school system. In addition it will hurt the teachers who teach, those who are gay, and those who care for their gay peers. I am not gay and it has obviously affected me. I'm not the only one. Teachers and non-teachers alike are following this conversation and do not agree with your view points.
So, I was not so much avoiding your questions, as I was protecting the confidentiality of my students. In addition, I was trying to prove to you that your law affects EVERYONE in the public school sector, not just teachers/administrators of K-8, or teachers of science classes. It affects the curriculum designers, the prinipals, brothers, sisters, friends, parents, guidance counselors, etc. in our school system. I really do not know how to express this to you in any simpler terms.
Finally, for your information.. .I teacher Algebra, English, Forensic Science, Biology, History, Government and Contemporary Issues, and whatever else class that ask me to teach at any certain time.(These are the classes I have taught in the last two years) I have taught in elementary classrooms, as well as middle school.
I appreciate the time you have taken to respond to these questions. On my part, this conversation is better of ending. If you want to respond to me so that you can express yourself one more time, I agree to listen, but I feel like we have hit a road block.
Sincerely,
Cindy Faller
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fromStacey Campfield sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov
toCindy Van-Heyningen <cindyfaller@gmail.com>
dateTue, Jun 14, 2011 at 9:28 AM
subjectRE: Some thoughts on your response re: Dont Say Gay Bill
The only road block seems to be you. I have been open, honest and forthcoming on my points of view. You seem to be evasive and now it appears you are about to scurry away without responding because you don't want to be linked to what you claim to do.
You did not clearly respond to my questions so here we go with another try. Do you currently teach all grades? K-8? occasionally teach k-8? Did teach k-8 but now teach older kids only? what is it?
If you are a teacher where do you teach? This should be no big secret. I have a good friend who also teaches discipline problem children down near Chattanooga. He is quite open about it. It is no secret. I am not asking for student names. Just the school you teach at. If you are at a public school, if I wanted, I could look it up and find out as it is public record. The school itself has no bearing on what we are talking about unless you just don't want people to know what you are doing, saying or teaching to children at your school for some reason and want to hide it. If what you are saying is good and acceptable you should not have a problem responding to my question.
Have you or another teacher you know ever talked about these issues, provided guidance or direction to a student in grades k-8 on these issues before? If you do not feel there is anything wrong with what you espouse then you should have no problem responding honestly to my questions. Either yes you have or no you have not. Why so evasive? I am not asking for student names only what you or another teacher did or did not do. If what you did was all well and good you should be proud of what you have done and be willing to shout it from the rooftops. I am in the paper for what I say and think. I don't run away from it. Why do you unless you are ashamed of it and don't want people to know the truth?
If you or your fellow teachers have not spoken on it to students in grades k-8 then it is not really an issue and should have no problem with my bill. Why cant you be honest and open with what you do as I have been with you? Again, I am not asking for student names. Only what you do or say as a teacher.
Stacey
