TOWARD A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS DIVERSITY AND DIFFERENCE: A RESPONSE TO DESSEL, BOLEN, AND SHEPARDSON

Abstract

This article is an invited response to "Can Religious Expression and Sexual Orientation Affirmation Coexist in Social Work? A Critique of Hodge's Theoretical, Theological, and Conceptual Frameworks," by Adrienne Dessel, Rebecca Bolen, and Christine Shepardson (Journal of Social Work Education, 47, pp. 213–234).

Echoing conflicts in society, some observers argue social work education should exclude religious students while others argue social work education should exclude gay students. Instead of perpetuating this conflict, I suggest educators should transcend it and affirm the voices of both religious believers and lesbians and gay men. After noting points of agreement with Dessel, Bolen, and Shepardson, I clarify some misunderstandings, respond to their arguments about new class theory and social work pedagogy, and suggest strategies to foster a learning environment that supports diversity and difference. By creating a culture that engenders respect for people with differing worldviews, perhaps we can model a new form of civil interaction for a wider society increasingly characterized by misunderstandings, conflict, and violence.