Getting Ready for Summer Update - Nonbinary 

Hello there! Yes, I've found what you're saying very true. I've taught some essays about feminism, gender, queer, and trans stuff in my composition courses, and it is difficult to teach. I find that most students are fine with it and actually often eager to find out more about the queer and trans stuff especially. Feminism, however, is scary, and gender equality, well, it's fine if you're talking about the past, but so many people prefer to demonize feminists and pretend we live in a just and equal society. The same goes for discussions of race for a lot of white students. I find that I have to show documentaries and multiple essays or videos on the same concept for those resistant students to have a good chance of getting it. But as you know, there's not a lot of time in composition for that. So I've relegated the queer and trans essays to be just a small part of a unit where they can choose which essays to write about. You're right that when it's an elective or a course they've freely chosen among other options, it's a lot easier in a lot of ways. Students are more in agreement with you before you begin. But that's not always the case--especially about issues that come up in queer or trans studies rather than those bigger questions of what it all is and what a system of oppression is. I have found myself to have some difficulty emotionally dealing with some of the conflict or topics that come up in class. But the more you do it, the easier it is. But if I was in a different location or had a different type of student base, I don't know what I'd do. I guess I'm lucky...for the time being anyway. Thanks for the comment, and I hope you're enjoying your summer!