I pride myself on being a teacher the students can come to.  My room is open for anyone from the time I arrive in the morning to the time I leave.  This openness comes with stipulations.  I do not allow racist, sexist, homophobic talk or any language that insults the disabled, any particular religion or ethnicity, or anyone's immigration status.  When I hear such language, I deal with it immediately.  I have rarely had to write people up because I discuss the reasons why this is not acceptable.

However...

This is apparently political.  It has been claimed that I am pushing my political beliefs on my students.  I am quite irked that we are at such a point in time that the expectations of decency, kindness, and respect are now political or representative of political beliefs.  It is clear that one's perception of threat or offense is so distorted that when their beliefs imply very real threat to a part of the community, the individual with the threatening beliefs is the one who takes offense.  The right of every student to attend school in a threat-free, safe environment is apparently now infringing on the rights of those who have suffered none of the same threats.   Those who are the threat now claim to have their rights infringed.

The game is working on some, but not me.  When I read things from other teachers like the article below, I know I am doing the right thing.

http://www.tolerance.org/blog/what-do-your-classroom-walls-convey

When I read what my obligations are as a teacher, I know I am doing the right thing.

I will treat my students with respect and continue to teach all of them.  However, I will also defend my right to have a stigma-free, cmforting classroom space for all members of the community.  If any individuals who do not support inclusion, equity, and respect cannot understand that...  Well, I have done all that I can.