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Do Kevin Jennings’ writings show a disposition for identity politics?

October 12, 2009 by B. Daniel Blatt

With a number of conservative bloggers and editorialists embattled safe schools “czar” Kevin Jennings’ various books in their pieces critical of the embattled Obama Administration official, I have been debating ordering have decided to order some of his books myself, so I might consider his words, unfiltered by straight pundits.

On Friday, Byron York cited Jennings’ writings as a means of outlining “other objections to his role as head of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools“:

There is his authorship of the foreword to the 1999 book Queering Elementary Education. There is a life’s work singularly focused on bringing the topic of homosexuality into the nation’s classrooms, including elementary schools. (In his 2002 book, Always My Child, Jennings advocated schools adopting a “diversity policy that mandates including LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered] themes into the curriculum.”)

In an editorial today, the Washington Times cites the Democrat’s books to show the “numerous inconsistencies in Mr. Jennings’ record of his own life“:

In his 2006 autobiography, “Mama’s Boy, Preacher’s Son,” Mr. Jennings has a completely different explanation for what happened at his first teaching job at the Quaker Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I. Contrary to being fired for being a homosexual, Mr. Jennings concludes the chapter discussing his time at the school by writing, “My days at Moses Brown ended, without my ever having been asked or having answered the Question [about whether he was homosexual]. For two years I have lied, letting my students and myself down in the process. I vowed I would never do it again.”

But, are such inconsistencies really there?  Does he really advocate a radical revisioning of school curricula to fit his ideological agenda?

I am debating ordering a two of his books just ordered three of his books from amazon because I could get them from a total of $4.30 and will get the remainder from the library.  With shipping, my total outlay is $16.27.  I encourage readers to help defray my costs (and contribute to the clutter of my apartment) by donating to the blog.

From what I’ve read so far from his writings, Jennings seem to advocate an extreme form of gay identity politics.  But, once I get a chance to read his stuff, I should be able to discern how accurate is that initial assessment.

Filed Under: Gay America, Gay Politics, Identity Politics

Comments

  1. ILoveCapitalism says

    October 12, 2009 at 10:57 pm - October 12, 2009

    There is a life’s work singularly focused on bringing the topic of homosexuality into the nation’s classrooms, including elementary schools.

    If true, that may explain a few things. It would also show the Obama Administration as surprisingly radical, in yet another way.

  2. DRH says

    October 12, 2009 at 11:07 pm - October 12, 2009

    Including “LGBT themes” in school curriculum is hardly radical. At this point in our society, the desperation of those trying to ignore everything LGBT is more of a problem.

    I’ll be very curious to hear your assessment once you’re done reading, though!

  3. killiteten - Native Intelligence says

    October 12, 2009 at 11:38 pm - October 12, 2009

    I appreciate your reading primary sources so as find out accurately the facts.

  4. B. Daniel Blatt says

    October 13, 2009 at 12:41 am - October 13, 2009

    DRH, it all depends on how those themes are introduced. And that’s why I intend to read his books.

  5. leftleaninglesbianfriend says

    October 13, 2009 at 2:09 am - October 13, 2009

    I too will be interested in your analysis…

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