Heterosexism and Stump Olsen

Wendell Frink

Mr. Salsich

9English

20 November 2008

Heterosexism and Ms. Olsen

An essay about heterosexism and a speaker

The world we live in is forever, we have a new president, terrorism is forever a threat, and the word gay is used everyday. We need to stop using this word in a negative way, and that’s what Ms. Olsen came to talk to us about and her experiences as a homosexual. Heterosexism is one of the largest topics in the media and in our lives. As she grew up, Ms. Olsen was beaten and broken, but she still pressed on in life.

TS) Ms. Olsens talk about heterosexism was a huge eye opener to me. (SD) First of all, I had no idea about the beatings that would take place to heterosexuals. (CM) In particular, Ms. Olsen was jumped at least twice a week, and was beaten up badly. (CM) A young high school girl trying to disguise her wounds from her parents, wouldn’t go home after school. (SD) Secondly, she didn’t tell people for fifteen years. (CM) Because of the sexism that was going on in the world she was scared of what more could happen to her. (CM) Also she didn’t want her parents to know of her feelings towards other women, she didn’t know what to expect. (SD) Lastly, I admired how happy she was. (CM) Even though she as been disbanded from her family and beaten up, she is so carefree about everything, "Ok that wasn't a good joke..." (CM) On her birthday she checks her mailbox to see if her parents sent her anything, the answer is always no, but "15 smiling people will be there to give [her] cards" instead. (CS) Overall this has been a wonderful experience.

(TS) Heterosexism, being one of the most widely discussed topics in today’s world, constantly gains attention. (SD) The biggest thing is the idea of allowing gay marriage. (CM) As of now, the only states in the U.S. where gay marriage is legalized are Connecticut and Massachusetts. (CM) California tried to pass gay marriage, but it was shot down during the November 4^th election. (SD) The second issue is, that young adults and even some adults use the saying “that’s gay” on a regular basis. (CM) Have you ever thought about how that might make someone who is gay feel? (CM) You probably have never thought about that, but when you say those two words, you are hurting someone’s feelings. (SD) I am touched personally by homosexuality. (CM) My aunt is gay and kept it a secret until she was thirty years old. (CM) She felt the same way that Ms. Olsen did, isolated and different and that she had to date boys, just like what Ms. Olsen did. As you can see, homosexuality and heterosexism, is widely talked about in the world.

As you can see, heterosexism is something that needs to be stopped. People want to kill themselves because of how they feel towards others, and this is not something that should be happening. After Ms. Olsens talk, we will all try to make an effort to stop using the term “that’s gay” when something that we do doesn’t go out right. Every movement starts somewhere, maybe the movement to stop using those slurs will start at PPS.

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1. Writing issues I'm continuing to work on: I am continuing to work on putting commas where they belong and deleting commas that are not needed. This is something that I really need to work on.
2. Some strong points I see in this piece of writing are: After the help of Mr. Salsich and my classmates I know that my particle and absolute are the way they need to be. I also think that my second body paragraph is well written.
3. Some weak points I see: The SD of the third paragraph is a little weak I think that I can change that. I probably have several comma errors that I haven't noticed yet.
4. The grade I would give myself: 85