Florida's draconian "Parental Rights in Education Act" doesn't have much to do with parents or education--and absolutely nothing to do with anyone's rights. Known here as the "Don't Say Gay" law, it has everything to do with our Yale-educated governor's political ambitions.
Of course parents need to know what's being taught in their children's schools. But education should be inclusive and welcoming. More viewpoints, more discussion. That's not happening in Florida. Teachers are muzzled. Kids are marginalized. Critical thinking is discouraged if not banned. Toss those inappropriate books out of the library. "Inappropriate" says who? The state.
The threats to K-12 student learning are bad enough, but messing with higher education is worse. College students are adults, not malleable children. The governor's spat with the College Board's AP African American studies program is ridiculous. He doesn't like the curriculum. I think he just doesn't want another perspective. The only history is the white man's history.
Unless you are white, straight and rabid Republican, don't make your home in Florida while King DeSantis is on the throne. It makes me sick that my home state, a place where I received an excellent public school education, has come to this. Learning has been sanitized for our protection. Sanitization should be reserved for hotel toilet seats, not young minds.
— Suztek
Of course parents need to know what's being taught in their children's schools. But education should be inclusive and welcoming. More viewpoints, more discussion. That's not happening in Florida. Teachers are muzzled. Kids are marginalized. Critical thinking is discouraged if not banned. Toss those inappropriate books out of the library. "Inappropriate" says who? The state.
The threats to K-12 student learning are bad enough, but messing with higher education is worse. College students are adults, not malleable children. The governor's spat with the College Board's AP African American studies program is ridiculous. He doesn't like the curriculum. I think he just doesn't want another perspective. The only history is the white man's history.
Unless you are white, straight and rabid Republican, don't make your home in Florida while King DeSantis is on the throne. It makes me sick that my home state, a place where I received an excellent public school education, has come to this. Learning has been sanitized for our protection. Sanitization should be reserved for hotel toilet seats, not young minds.
— Suztek
Nice note of humor at the end. What a plight for everyone involved! I've wondered if the teachers would stage a walk out or parents would boycott schools for a few days. That been disconcerting to me - the willingness of educators and parents to comply. Rise Up!! (Hmmm. Would I?)
ReplyDeleteAmen on everything you wrote. We need more of you in Florida! Well done!
ReplyDeleteAdding on: We need more of you everywhere!!
ReplyDeleteI don't even understand how he has CONTROL of higher education. And he's sadly mistaken that his actions will make him popular with some rapidly diminishing super-conservative voter base. I hope there are still things about where you live that are good. (Macoff)
ReplyDeleteWell stated. Does your local paper need an Op Ed?
ReplyDelete