Opinion

Transgender issue unlike desegregation

Posted November 23, 2015 5:00 am

Barrington District 220 Superintendent Brian Harris' comparison of transgender policies to desegregation is a false comparison.

Desegregation had to do with the inequality of resources between black schools and white schools. Lack of resources in black schools left black students at an educational disadvantage.

Where somebody dresses or undresses for gym class has absolutely nothing to do with their education.

The transgender issue is about providing accommodation for a student's thoughts and feelings. District 211 has already offered to provide unisex facilities as other school districts have done.

So this case is really about whether accommodations for those thoughts and feelings should be imposed on the rest of the student body.

Many high school students have body issues of varying severities and it seems like District 211 has already offered a reasonable accommodation for this one.

Forcing the thoughts and feelings of one student on the entire student body has no relationship to students that were denied the resources to get a good education because of the color of their skin.

Scott Schmidt

Arlington Heights

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