Journalism Lesson Plan

Overview:When Tim Hardaway, All-Star NBA player, said he hates gays and is homophobic, he unleashed reaction for all sides. Although he later apologized, his remarks brought attention to the ongoing situation. What issues surround sports and sexual identity? Does this kind of in-your-face reaction from a well-known athlete create more problems on the court and playing field? How do teams handle the issue?

Suggested time allotment: Although a sensitive topic, localizing the Hardaway situation is possible. One week to explore the issue nationally and then focus on the school’s policies. One week to write the article.

Objectives

Students will:

1. Research the Hardaway news peg and what national groups are doing about gays in sports.
2. Interview the school’s athletic director and coaches to get the official policy of the district. Is any mention made of gays or lesbians in the programs? Is there an anti-harassment policy in place?
3. Interview the principal to see if one could be approved for the school if it does not exist.
4. Write a factual article that uses the Haraway story as a news peg and explains local policies and situations.

Standards: National Council of Teachers of English and International Reading Association Standards for English Language Arts:

7. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
8. Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
12. Students use spoken, written and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion and the exchange of information).

Resources and materials:
Web sites with information:

• For a thorough report on what Hardaway said and the reactions of both John Amaechi, one former athlete who has come out, and NBA commissioner David Stern, read “Retired NBA star Hardaway says he hates ‘gay people.’”
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• Former NBA player John Amaechi became the first professional basketball star to identify himself as gay with the release of his book, “Man in the Middle.” On the ESPN site, Chris Sheridan writes about this.
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• The focus on gay sports issues isn’t new to the Hardaway media coverage. The Web site “Outsports.com” has been covering this since November 2000.
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• The National Collegiate Athletic Association has not ignored homophobia in sports. An article titled, “H – the Scarlet Letter of Sports” discusses what the NCAA was doing in 2001.
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• The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is dedicated to “advancing the legal and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy and public education.” It has a page of links to news and analysis of sports-related situations.
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• The NCLR site also has a model anti-harassment policy for schools.
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