The Editor, Sir:

Pandemonium seemingly reigned throughout the education sector recently when a particular textbook found its way into the Jamaican school system. Our Education Minister, Andrew Holness, was swift in his defence of the ministry's educational policy in stating that as an education sector, we do not subscribe to the notion of a homosexual family pattern. I also say amen to this, BUT, as a nation that is in a state of educational transformation, and also in the globalisation era, is there really another side to this whole scenario? I ask the question in light of what is termed 'multicultural education'.

Multiculturalism deals with diversity and an appreciation and recognition that variety is inevitable, among other things.

comfort zone

Jamaica is a 'Christcentric' country and so, we have been educated and indoctrinated in the Christian philosophical way of thinking. This has conditioned us to view most things from this Christcentric perspective. Anything outside of this comfort zone causes us to become uncomfortable, and at times arrogant, abusive and dismissive.

But as educators, should this be our approach to dealing with issues? Should we be exposing our children and general populace to look at other issues and thoughts critically and analytically?

The early oppressors of the blacks during the days of slavery definitely had a mindset that what they were doing was justified.

As a nation in this day and ages we need to be cognisant that multicultural education informs us that we think and allow others to think critically and analytically.

The issues such as gender, which when segmented, allows us to look at biological deter-minism, sexual orientation, stereotyping of gender roles, gender identity, sexual haras-sment, women's movements, among other issues, are not going away. These are going to loom larger and become more prominent and prevalent with the passing of time.

As a people, as a nation, we cannot sweep religion, politics, exception-alities, language, ethnicity and race, among other topics, under the carpet. We have to confront them.

What we need to do is to equip our students with the necessary critical-thinking skills, so that they are able to make the right decisions for themselves, when confronted with truly controversial issues. Frankly, I am not sure banning will help.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD SUMMERBELL

rallinbell@yahoo.com

St. Ann

Via Go-Jamaica