At my school districts professional development Friday, they cut the day short so teachers could go back to their classrooms and make a list of book titles they have on their shelves. I didn’t fall in the category so I don’t know all the instructions. Our superintendent said specifically this is not a book ban. Hmm. Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck.
A teacher of the year from one elementary, last year allowed a student to select a book about anti racism to take home and read it. Why did she have the book? The district gave it to teachers for free to include in their libraries. Our now conservative school board have reprimanded her and put a letter in her records. How did the school board find out about it? The parents filed a letter of complaint.
So we’re in the news again. Hope the people vote their November election to change this school board! Yes, ignorance is very dangerous, indeed!
Denise, I don't know how you and other teachers do it in this climate of intolerance. The unwillingness of the very vocal few to recognize the fragile sameness and difference in each person is destructive beyond reason. Sometimes parents are their child's worst enemy – this is one of those times.
With utmost respect for you and all your colleagues. Our children are better people because of you.
Thanks! I just focus on loving these sweet kids. And teaching a lesson to the ones who aren’t so sweet! Friday was hard! Professional development focused on “self care” while expecting us to give up our rights to freedom of speech and censor our books. I left wondering how long could I live off the money I could make selling my house? These people sunk a LOT of money into winning the school board positions. I hope the election in November evens out the numbers!
It isn’t just that some can’t tell fact from fiction it is that they choose to not do so.
It is far easier to believe what you want to hear because it gives justification to your own beliefs and fears and for many, their own hatred against others, than to take the time and energy to sort through and figure out the truth.
So, is the "American" way to take the easy way out? Based on our myths, I don't think so, but then again, we don't like to examine our history all too closely either, and prefer our myths?
I believe you have touched on the reason we are so complacent - we like to believe our own myths.
I think that Americans have long believed themselves and our country as exceptional and that acts like a blinder to reality. We aren’t exceptional. This country was founded on slavery and genocide. Our government has long interfered in other countries, telling them how to live without first attending to the problems at home. We start wars for reasons of profit for and ego of those in power (yet the one war we absolutely should have joined far sooner was WWII). Americans believe that we are so exceptional, that city on a hill bs, that demagoguery, fascism, authoritarianism and even a dictatorship just can’t happen here and so, they turn a blind eye to politics and current events. It is a “if I don’t pay attention, then it won’t happen” kind of thinking. I spoke to several people last week who said this very thing - “I don’t pay attention to all that”, “oh, that’s just reactionary talk - no one will ever destroy America”, “that can’t really happen here, right?” and even “God won’t let us fall” (I had to ask which “us” they were referring to and sadly, it was the far-right yet ironically they didn’t see the link between the far-right’s goals and authoritarianism).
For a multitude of reasons - political, economical, societal, cultural, technological, etc - we as a society have definitely lost our way in working together (not that everyone always did). I’m not sure there exists An American Way anymore except that which panders to all the ugly aspects of humanity - greed, hatred, bigotry, exclusion, etc - sort of the “I want mine & you can’t have any” approach to life.
Of course, there are exceptions to this and I hope there are enough who aren’t part of the hateful, greedy majority to either turn the current tide or bring fascism to an end once it does take over.
Spot on, Kasumii. We have defined our "greatness" without acknowledging its true cost (enslavement and genocide). We are "true believers" that our country is great and good, when it has a horrible infection underneath a poorly healed scab. It is my opinion that, while the works of Movement Conservatives have been underway for at least two generations, it was the election of Barak Obama that ripped the scab off the infection of genocide and slavery and let the pus of racists get out and run free.
Very descriptive words Ally House! I will get back to my breakfast later. We definitely need realistic and descriptive language to help people see what is happening, so no complaint here. That I had to stop eating speaks to how well your words worked.
I agree with you. The election and reelection of Obama definitely lit the fuse. That a Black man could be elected to the Presidency really pissed off all the racists, didn’t it?
Yup, Ally, it was Obama. Never believed I’d see a Black president in my lifetime. “We did it,” I thought, utterly clueless. Then I became aware of the powerful raging hatred unleashed.
For two terms we had the Sublime. Then crashed head first into the despicable Ridiculous. And spiraled down from there …
We live in a nation of groups of people that use "I heard from..... that [insert fake statement.] I'm so sick of this. It's laziness and gravitating to find someone who bolsters your opinion. It isn't fact checking.
A thought before sleeping...
The most violent element in society is ignorance. – Emma Goldman
At my school districts professional development Friday, they cut the day short so teachers could go back to their classrooms and make a list of book titles they have on their shelves. I didn’t fall in the category so I don’t know all the instructions. Our superintendent said specifically this is not a book ban. Hmm. Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck.
A teacher of the year from one elementary, last year allowed a student to select a book about anti racism to take home and read it. Why did she have the book? The district gave it to teachers for free to include in their libraries. Our now conservative school board have reprimanded her and put a letter in her records. How did the school board find out about it? The parents filed a letter of complaint.
So we’re in the news again. Hope the people vote their November election to change this school board! Yes, ignorance is very dangerous, indeed!
Denise, I don't know how you and other teachers do it in this climate of intolerance. The unwillingness of the very vocal few to recognize the fragile sameness and difference in each person is destructive beyond reason. Sometimes parents are their child's worst enemy – this is one of those times.
With utmost respect for you and all your colleagues. Our children are better people because of you.
Thanks! I just focus on loving these sweet kids. And teaching a lesson to the ones who aren’t so sweet! Friday was hard! Professional development focused on “self care” while expecting us to give up our rights to freedom of speech and censor our books. I left wondering how long could I live off the money I could make selling my house? These people sunk a LOT of money into winning the school board positions. I hope the election in November evens out the numbers!
Professional development? Self care? Talk about doublespeak. Sounds more like rules to be an obedient servant.
Please continue to be a candle in the darkness for as long as possible. You have our gratitude.
Self care and censorship? Who knew they were so closely intertwined? /s
Keep safe. Thinking of you, Denise.
THIS, Daria.
Thank you for saying this loud and clear, Daria.
The MAGAts smelled power, now the path is clear, they think
When masses can't tell fact from fiction, we're in trouble.
It isn’t just that some can’t tell fact from fiction it is that they choose to not do so.
It is far easier to believe what you want to hear because it gives justification to your own beliefs and fears and for many, their own hatred against others, than to take the time and energy to sort through and figure out the truth.
So, is the "American" way to take the easy way out? Based on our myths, I don't think so, but then again, we don't like to examine our history all too closely either, and prefer our myths?
What is the soul of our nation?
I believe you have touched on the reason we are so complacent - we like to believe our own myths.
I think that Americans have long believed themselves and our country as exceptional and that acts like a blinder to reality. We aren’t exceptional. This country was founded on slavery and genocide. Our government has long interfered in other countries, telling them how to live without first attending to the problems at home. We start wars for reasons of profit for and ego of those in power (yet the one war we absolutely should have joined far sooner was WWII). Americans believe that we are so exceptional, that city on a hill bs, that demagoguery, fascism, authoritarianism and even a dictatorship just can’t happen here and so, they turn a blind eye to politics and current events. It is a “if I don’t pay attention, then it won’t happen” kind of thinking. I spoke to several people last week who said this very thing - “I don’t pay attention to all that”, “oh, that’s just reactionary talk - no one will ever destroy America”, “that can’t really happen here, right?” and even “God won’t let us fall” (I had to ask which “us” they were referring to and sadly, it was the far-right yet ironically they didn’t see the link between the far-right’s goals and authoritarianism).
For a multitude of reasons - political, economical, societal, cultural, technological, etc - we as a society have definitely lost our way in working together (not that everyone always did). I’m not sure there exists An American Way anymore except that which panders to all the ugly aspects of humanity - greed, hatred, bigotry, exclusion, etc - sort of the “I want mine & you can’t have any” approach to life.
Of course, there are exceptions to this and I hope there are enough who aren’t part of the hateful, greedy majority to either turn the current tide or bring fascism to an end once it does take over.
Spot on, Kasumii. We have defined our "greatness" without acknowledging its true cost (enslavement and genocide). We are "true believers" that our country is great and good, when it has a horrible infection underneath a poorly healed scab. It is my opinion that, while the works of Movement Conservatives have been underway for at least two generations, it was the election of Barak Obama that ripped the scab off the infection of genocide and slavery and let the pus of racists get out and run free.
Very descriptive words Ally House! I will get back to my breakfast later. We definitely need realistic and descriptive language to help people see what is happening, so no complaint here. That I had to stop eating speaks to how well your words worked.
I agree with you. The election and reelection of Obama definitely lit the fuse. That a Black man could be elected to the Presidency really pissed off all the racists, didn’t it?
It was during Obama’s term that I became aware of the profound racism in some of my “friends”. That was when the ugly truth came out of the closet.
Yup, Ally, it was Obama. Never believed I’d see a Black president in my lifetime. “We did it,” I thought, utterly clueless. Then I became aware of the powerful raging hatred unleashed.
For two terms we had the Sublime. Then crashed head first into the despicable Ridiculous. And spiraled down from there …
Even President Obama understood the time wasn't right for a black American to be the leader of our country. Then he insulted Drump...
There ARE enough of us, Kasumii. What I worry abt is that we won’t all VOTE.
That worries me too.
Yes, the majority of our nation do not vote. That says it all.
This word, this ugly word "authoritarianism".
I take note.
I note, too, that it entails a total absence of genuine authority.
Fake Father Figure, fake everything, the devil in the driver's seat.
In the pulpit, too.
Yes, good question ….. What is the soul of our Nation???
Hatred and anger release adrenaline. Another American addiction.
We live in a nation of groups of people that use "I heard from..... that [insert fake statement.] I'm so sick of this. It's laziness and gravitating to find someone who bolsters your opinion. It isn't fact checking.
Fox just celebrated 25 years of blasting lies and the most venomous propaganda. Rupert pushed Humpty Dumpty off the wall.
Rest up Daria! All of us on call for democracy. So true about ignorance. It’s not an excuse, it’s a choice …..every time.
My thought is that the most peaceful element in society is wisdom. Tried and true, so to speak.
Salud!