I was reading the comments on an article about the University of Delaware's indoctrination program and found a pointer to this Seattle Public School website.
Racism:
The systematic subordination of members of targeted racial groups who have relatively little social power in the United States (Blacks, Latino/as, Native Americans, and Asians), by the members of the agent racial group who have relatively more social power (Whites). The subordination is supported by the actions of individuals, cultural norms and values, and the institutional structures and practices of society.
I keep thinking about how much easier high school would have been if I had realized I was part of "the agent racial group with relatively more social power." I wish someone had told me.
I found this recent statement on the Seattle Public School website.
In response to the numerous concerns voiced regarding definitions posted on the Equity & Race website, we have decided to revise our website in a way that will hopefully provide more context to readers around the work that Seattle Public Schools is doing to address institutional racism. The intended purpose of our work in the area of race and social justice is to bring communities together through open dialogue and honest reflection around what is meant by racism and the impact is has on our society and more specifically, our students. Our intention is not to put up additional barriers or develop an “us against them” mindset, nor is it to continue to hold onto unsuccessful concepts such as a melting pot or colorblind mentality. It is our hope that we can explore the work of leading scholars in the areas of race and social justice issues to help us understand the dynamics and realities of how racism permeate throughout our society and use their knowledge to help us create meaningful change. This difficult work is vital to the success of our students and families. Thank you for sharing your concerns.
Warm regards,
Caprice D. Hollins, Psy.D.
Director of Equity & Race Relations
Seattle Public Schools
Actually, the melting pot or colorblind mentality works very well. Research in the field of sociology shows that the more attention given to differences, the more hostility towards those differences increases. The more emphasis placed on the things we have in common, the more positive the response towards differences.
Work of leading scholars translates to social activists with a racist agenda of their very own.
I did some more digging on the Seattle Public Schools website and found Equity and Race Relations: Ways to Combat Racism:
I imagine a conversation reminiscent of a skit from Saturday Night Live with "church lady." Do they really think a condescending lecture is going to change somebody's mind? The rest of the list is more of the same ineffective nonsense.
It contained the typical nonsensical suggestions, like this:
* Educate co-workers and close friends about racism.
However, I ran in to a recommendation that I found truly horrifying.
The Seattle Public School guidelines state that to fight racism, teachers must....
* Align curriculum within your grade level and the school vs. independent teaching.
That doesn't sound like "diversity" to me. It sounds like dumbing down. You can't let your class get ahead. You must slow down the more advanced students and not allow them to work ahead. If this is a strategy to fight racism, it is based on some very sick assumptions.
I've really struggled with this post. I'm having a difficult time articulating just how evil this is and where it will lead.
I don't know which is more offensive: dumbing down the students who are ready for more challenging work or the presumption that if all students are not constrained to appear on similar academic levels it will lead to racial discrimination and bigotry.
This policy insinuates that the only way a struggling student can succeed is by handicapping the rest of the class. That is an insult to every student. The great minds of all varieties didn't make their discoveries and scientific advances by dumbing down or trying to stay with the class.
The fact that a school is actively encouraging teachers to hold back the brightest and the best to promote racial harmony is an outrage.
Every student should be encouraged to work to the limit of his or her capabilities. The same is true if students need a slower pace. Assembly line education is a bad policy.
This is one of the many reasons my children do not and will not attend public school.
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University of Delaware, racism,thought police, Seattle Public School, homeschool
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