do you think my teachers being homophobic?

Question

in history class, we were told to write an essay on a law we do not agree with. so i wrote that gay marriage should be legalized in all states. i thought it out, had great reasons and backup details, wrote two rough drafts before handing it in, and i ended up getting a B. I know its still a pretty good grade, but she never even corrected anything on my paper. all she wrote was the letter B. I know she is a devoted christian, so do you think shes being homophobic?

Answer 1

This still may be a reflection of how you feel about your grade but it does seem unfair to just throw a letter in. Though, do consider the fact that teachers can be very busy people. They have essays and essays to read, consider and grade. But are there any marks on your paper? Are there any marks on your classmates' papers of the same requirement? Is she the kind of teacher who usually leaves comments on your papers (yours and your classmates’, like the previous requirements).

I think it would be best for you to set an appointment for her. Ask her to have a sit down with you (Bring the paper, of course. I'd bring that paper around me if I were in your circumstance in case I can ambush interview her in the halls, anywhere!). It's up to you if you want to tell her ahead that you wish to discuss your paper, her thoughts about it, and especially your thoughts about it. or you could just give an umbrella reason that you wish to discuss your recent performance. (though if she is what you think she is, your paper may still be in her mind)

However, all this lack of marking may not spell her out as homophobic. Perhaps its her way of being a good Christian. (She may have thoughts that are completely against yours and she has every right to them just as much as you have right to yours. That B could stand for different reasons. It could be that she thinks it really deserved a B, or that B has political strings to it. It could also be that someone in class did write an A+++ paper and the only way to give justice to that A+++ paper, is to give the rest of you B, etc. Believe me, it happens. Like when you win a contest, and you know you are just so the cut about the rest, that first place is first place and that's yours - but then the second placer really is fifth placer compared to you, etc.) Do remember that your teacher is a member of a school and she has to stick to its standards. Perhaps she is trying to raise the bar. You seem to be particularly passionate with this paper - perhaps its an encouragement for you to do better this time.

She may not be pro-gay. Remember that not all those who are against homosexuality are homophobic. This may sound like a silly technicality but I think it’s a valid consideration the same way it is that not all Christians are homophobes, or, that homophobes may be homophobes but it may not always mean that they are against homosexuality – they’re just afraid of it. I’d also like to know if you’d raise your question if she did give you an A+++ but left no marks.

Please don't forget the politics in the decisions you make. I see you as not just a student but a liberal individual, but you are your teacher’s student. If you do decide to just let it go, then I have to be honest with you: I, too, will keep wondering if she really was being homophobic.

I’d consider you brave if you’d talk with your teacher about this. But please don’t do it on my account. These kinds of things, do it for yourself. (Sorry. I know that sounded quite manipulative – but I do believe that ignorance is bliss.) If you do talk to her, you might find out that she isn’t homophobic at all. Or that you might be the one to change her views on this matter, and I hope your sit down with her will leave you both far more open-minded than before you’ve started. Good luck!

(To be quite honest, I’d be interested in reading your essay, knowing your level of education, age and state. No, don’t worry. I’m no psycho. But I do think it’s sad how some people could be so closed-minded. (I'm one of them sometimes - I can't understand why women can be homophobic, in a sense that they are homophobic of lesbians)
If you have the time, reach me [e-mail] and please do let me know what happened, if you talked to your teacher, if she really is homophic :)
Best!)

Answer 2

There is always a subjective element in grading essays. If you write an essay from a point of view that your teacher shares he or she is more likely to think you are brilliant and that your arguments are unassailable. If your primary concern is in getting good grades I would warn you against writing essays you know your teachers will disagree with. If, however, your primary concern is in writing what you believe to be true regardless of personal consequences write what your conscience dictates. This principal applies to far more than just issues such as homosexuality. As an example, if you want an "A" on an English paper, don't write one that trashes Walt Whitman when you know he is your teacher's favorite poet!

Answer 3

Maybe it wasn't the subject but the construction of the paper that lowered the grade. You could go to her and ask what you could have done to improve the paper. If she has suggestions that have nothing to do with the subject, I'd assume that it wasn't homophobia which gave you the B.

OTOH, people don't like to admit to a bias. You may have to chalk this up as being held back by doing the right thing. Something that will probably happen again. Doing the right thing or taking on a controversial subject isn't always appreciated.

Answer 4

kinda sounds like it huh?

i had a religion teacher that was gay and one of my classmates wrote an essay that the theme was 'aids is the scourge of god on gays'
well she wrote it to see what he would do about it, not because she really believed it but she got an F with no explanation.

i agree with the other answerer that teachers should be unbiased and i totally agree BUT having said that, nowadays a whole lot of them are pushing their beliefs on students and the schools dont seem to care much about it.

they should- the best advice was what someone told you. ask her to explain exactly why you got your grade. check your other stuff from her first. is that her habit to not explain her grade? if she ususally explains her grade, i would be suspicious here. just talk nice to her though. if you are more suspicious after meeting with her, then i would take it to the dean or whoever is her supervisor. if you are in high school or under 18 maybe you can involve your parents as well.

teachers who force their agendas on their students and require you see things their way to pass the class are dangerous and shouldnt be teachers imo

we should all be wary of thought police, whatever our personal views

Answer 5

That doesn't show homophobia. You can be against gay marriage and not be a homophobe.

She may be biased, it's very hard not to be. An essay that agrees with your position will almost always seem better than one that disagrees.

Did anyone else in the class get an A?

Answer 6

I don't think she was being biased on purpose - maybe unconsciously? Your arguments might seem good enough for an A grade to you but they might not be depending on your teacher's standards. Also marking an essay is kinda subjective so you have to give her some leeway.
Besides let's say she was biased, and gave you a worse mark than you deserved because she didn't like your opinion - that sounds way better than an A grade to me..

Answer 7

I would talk to her about it.
But first I would talk to an English teacher you like and have him or her go over the paper and give you there view on how it was written.
That way you have some things you can discuss.

Answer 8

maybe she is not homophobic but maybe just does not believe it should be legalized. some people like gay people but just does not think they have the right to get married. and there might be other reasons why she did not mark it.

Answer 9

I would talk to her about it after class or during any breaks you may have available. Just ask her why you got the grade you did. She shouldn't give you a grade without explaining it to you. You can't really be sure or not without consulting her.

Answer 10

Most likely not. Teachers are specifically trained to be unbiased and neutral in terms of ideas and ethnics. You might personally believe that your work is an A deserving piece, but maybe your teacher found faults within it. Many people believe that they have created quality work, but yet it turns out to be less-than-perfect. I would try to slow down before accusing your teacher of bias against homosexuality.