I am following all you say here, George. I do get stuck on the word "educated" as a requirement for maintaining a democracy. To me, that word connotes those who have attained the heights of a formal education, something of a turnoff for many who do not belong to that club.
I personally belong to and am proud of being a member of the "woke…
I am following all you say here, George. I do get stuck on the word "educated" as a requirement for maintaining a democracy. To me, that word connotes those who have attained the heights of a formal education, something of a turnoff for many who do not belong to that club.
I personally belong to and am proud of being a member of the "woke" club, meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination...a broader awareness of social inequalities such as racial injustice, sexism, and denial of LGBT rights." Just my two cents!
A good point Lynell. When I think of "educated" it is not as a graduate or post-graduate level individual. I think of a fundamental education that facilitates being able to process information and distinguish between propaganda, disinformation, and lies versus information with a basis in fact.
For example, someone who might question if someone with multiple bankruptcies and massive debt is a shrewd businessperson who should lead the United States.
If we just elect people on the basis of who has the cooler yard sign -that is no longer a meaningful democracy. And it is incumbent upon us, if we truly care to continue to evolve a vibrant, meaningful democracy -to make funding for education an absolute priority, to honor and pay teachers well, to not allow the classroom to be politicized by eradicating actual history, and to provide affordable higher education for all who would like to pursue it.
To educate yourself on these issues is to awaken knowledge and understanding. But, you need critical thinking skills to do that. Teach more critical thinking in schools, let's get these kids thinking deeply and discussing everything.
True -I think it is a responsibility we all share together. Call it "Wokeness" -because that sure upsets Ron DeFascist (and who among us doesn't enjoy that!), but education is a necessary element to evolve toward a better future together.
George, a good example of non-post-graduate education is the Yukon High School (Yukon Oklahoma) Reality Check for 9th grade students. Each student is randomly given a yearly salary and then goes to booths for banking, groceries, housing, childcare, transportation, entertainment, charity, insurance, etc. to see the impact of not having enough money to pay bills and choices to be made. Perhaps something like that about choosing which parts of the constitution/amendments to keep or discard?
That sounds like an excellent program. There's probably too much memorization and not enough pragmatic application of knowledge in terms of real world responsibility.
George I think, sadly, that educators (K-12) now “teach to the test”—given changes made to teaching “requirements” and standardized testing…it becomes rote memorization, not real learning.
Good point Kathy. Another tactic is to erode the funding for public institutions, then to say “Look! They’re failing!!!” And then accelerate the erosion and flow to private institutions. It truly is disgusting.
Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and Tom Cotton are all "educated." Their "ideas" are horrible for the average people in America. Look at Hawley's wife, Erin, arguing against mephipristone.
True. An educated, informed, and engaged society provides a better defense against educated people (or anyone) looking to abuse, exploit, and concentrate power. Education in and of itself doesn’t constrain how it is applied.
Morning, Lynell. I think that "educated" in the broadest sense can be viewed as "knowing how to learn" combined with being exposed to various assessment tools to evaluate information, and the ability to utilize critical thinking skills. And certainly "woke" as you describe it!!
I agree with your explanation as I imagine everyone here on this page does, too. In my mind's eye, I imagine an ensemble of folks (to be blunt, members of the lower middle class and below) who would see the word "educated" as a prerequisite to voting and conclude it does not include them.
So, maybe yes, educate them without telling them they need to be educated?
Lynell, my grandmother was born in 1898 & never went beyond high school, but was “educated” in that she was curious, open-minded and well-read. She poked and prodded and questioned as curious folks do & she fostered that in her daughters, grandkids & the great-grands who were lucky enough to know her.
I am following all you say here, George. I do get stuck on the word "educated" as a requirement for maintaining a democracy. To me, that word connotes those who have attained the heights of a formal education, something of a turnoff for many who do not belong to that club.
I personally belong to and am proud of being a member of the "woke" club, meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination...a broader awareness of social inequalities such as racial injustice, sexism, and denial of LGBT rights." Just my two cents!
A good point Lynell. When I think of "educated" it is not as a graduate or post-graduate level individual. I think of a fundamental education that facilitates being able to process information and distinguish between propaganda, disinformation, and lies versus information with a basis in fact.
For example, someone who might question if someone with multiple bankruptcies and massive debt is a shrewd businessperson who should lead the United States.
If we just elect people on the basis of who has the cooler yard sign -that is no longer a meaningful democracy. And it is incumbent upon us, if we truly care to continue to evolve a vibrant, meaningful democracy -to make funding for education an absolute priority, to honor and pay teachers well, to not allow the classroom to be politicized by eradicating actual history, and to provide affordable higher education for all who would like to pursue it.
Excellent, George! And what I'm saying is perhaps people first need to be woke (alert) as a precursor to the idea of being educated.
To educate yourself on these issues is to awaken knowledge and understanding. But, you need critical thinking skills to do that. Teach more critical thinking in schools, let's get these kids thinking deeply and discussing everything.
True -I think it is a responsibility we all share together. Call it "Wokeness" -because that sure upsets Ron DeFascist (and who among us doesn't enjoy that!), but education is a necessary element to evolve toward a better future together.
George, a good example of non-post-graduate education is the Yukon High School (Yukon Oklahoma) Reality Check for 9th grade students. Each student is randomly given a yearly salary and then goes to booths for banking, groceries, housing, childcare, transportation, entertainment, charity, insurance, etc. to see the impact of not having enough money to pay bills and choices to be made. Perhaps something like that about choosing which parts of the constitution/amendments to keep or discard?
That sounds like an excellent program. There's probably too much memorization and not enough pragmatic application of knowledge in terms of real world responsibility.
George I think, sadly, that educators (K-12) now “teach to the test”—given changes made to teaching “requirements” and standardized testing…it becomes rote memorization, not real learning.
Yes, I know many wonderful teachers who are overworked, underpaid, and constrained from truly being educators.
This needs to change. Some of the budget for defense needs to shift to education and to climate before there is nothing left to defend.
Uhhh, part of the problem is that money is going to charter and private schools.
Good point Kathy. Another tactic is to erode the funding for public institutions, then to say “Look! They’re failing!!!” And then accelerate the erosion and flow to private institutions. It truly is disgusting.
That study segment sounds fascinating.
Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and Tom Cotton are all "educated." Their "ideas" are horrible for the average people in America. Look at Hawley's wife, Erin, arguing against mephipristone.
True. An educated, informed, and engaged society provides a better defense against educated people (or anyone) looking to abuse, exploit, and concentrate power. Education in and of itself doesn’t constrain how it is applied.
Said in that way, George, you have my permission to keep "educated" in your mantra...LOL!
Lynell -there is always pressure to streamline and simplify! But I think I have it factored down to the prime elements. 🤓
Because of you, George, I be educated now!
I is proud! 🤪
Morning, Lynell. I think that "educated" in the broadest sense can be viewed as "knowing how to learn" combined with being exposed to various assessment tools to evaluate information, and the ability to utilize critical thinking skills. And certainly "woke" as you describe it!!
Morning, Ally!
I agree with your explanation as I imagine everyone here on this page does, too. In my mind's eye, I imagine an ensemble of folks (to be blunt, members of the lower middle class and below) who would see the word "educated" as a prerequisite to voting and conclude it does not include them.
So, maybe yes, educate them without telling them they need to be educated?
Yes, I get what you are saying and agree. Educated does not mean credentialed. A lot of us 'thinkers' are self educated.
I feel strongly a very good free grade k-12 education is important to start kids on the right path.
Absolutely, yes, Marj. We need to teach our children well.
Lynell, my grandmother was born in 1898 & never went beyond high school, but was “educated” in that she was curious, open-minded and well-read. She poked and prodded and questioned as curious folks do & she fostered that in her daughters, grandkids & the great-grands who were lucky enough to know her.
Yay for your grandmother, Barbara! The same can be said for my not-educated-beyond-high-school husband...the smartest guy I know.