As an avid reader, someone who tries to read most of the well-known classics, I should love to visit English classes. Imagine a class where students read and discuss the great literature of the ages- Plato, Cicero, Mark Twain. Imagine students reading the great books and classic novels of the past, discussing the wisdom of our ancestors, analyzing timeless dilemmas and conflicts, being inspired by beautifully written literature, and passing on stories from age to age. What a great class that would be!
Sadly my recent visits to neighboring school districts showed me a different type of English class. In these English classes, students do not read and discuss the great literature of the ages- teachers feel that these books are racist or out-dated or un-PC or are simply too hard to read. In these modern English classes, the literature that is read and discussed is more modern day literature dominated by stories of discrimination, racism, and diversity. Students read the latest story of a black who experiences racism or something, and then discuss racism. Or they read the latest book about a woman who faces discrimination, and talk about that. Or they read about a poor person, or someone who loves trees, or some other leftist or liberal book.
The goal of English class is no longer to transmit the knowledge of the past, but now the goal of English class is to absorb the narrative of the liberal left. Students don’t need to know who Tom Sawyer is or who Romeo is, but do need to know the cast of characters of the oppressed of the world and absorb the language and dialogue of the left. English class should now be called diversity training class.
A classic novel, deep in importance and history and forming the basis for many generations of America, is now thrown aside in favor of highly descriptive tales of the down-trodden of society. These choices are not meaningless. Think about the kinds of words that are read, the images that are formed in students mind, the discussions that are inspired. Are they motivated and inspired by Socrates, or by some depressing leftist jumbles of poorly written words dominated by messages prized by the liberal left?
English classes have indeed become a sad place.
Matt
I believe that future generations should have the same opportunities that myself, and those that came before me, had. My parents taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do. I don’t want to have to tell my daughter, “You can do whatever the government tells you to do.” We are at a crossroads in this country; are we going to be free, or are we going to be slaves to the nanny state. I choose freedom.
I hear ya. The NEA has Rules for Radicals by Alinsky on their reading list.
NEA Recommended Reading
I recently read Huckleberry Fin for the first time since middle school (I was homeschooled). As I was reading it, wondered if it would even be considered for a summer reading list in today’s schools because of the outdated racial language it uses. It’s a shame that some of the best books ever written are kept from our children because of political correctness and a liberal/progressive agenda. The same goes for the revisionist history of our Founding Fathers.
[...] Conservative Hideout 2.0: English Classes Turn Into Diversity Training Classes [...]
Although a difficult read for some, they should put Thomas Sowell’s book, “Intellectuals and Society,” in as mandatory reading. In fact, most of his books. This article illustrates the reason why our students test so poorly compared to other countries.
I agree LP. Check out this documentary, it is called 2 Million Minutes and this is from the home page of the website for the documentary.
“THE DOCUMENTARY
Regardless of nationality, as soon as a student completes the 8th grade, the clock starts ticking. From that very moment the child has approximately -
…Two Million Minutes until high school graduation…Two Million Minutes to build their intellectual foundation…Two Million Minutes to prepare for college and ultimately career…Two Million Minutes to go from a teenager to an adult
How a student spends their Two Million Minutes – in class, at home studying, playing sports, working, sleeping, socializing or just goofing off — will affect their economic prospects for the rest of their lives.
How do most American high school students spend this time? What about students in the rest of the world? How do family, friends and society influence a student’s choices for time allocation? What implications do their choices have on their future and on a country’s economic future?
This film takes a deeper look at how the three superpowers of the 21st Century – China, India and the United States – are preparing their students for the future. As we follow two students – a boy and a girl – from each of these countries, we compose a global snapshot of education, from the viewpoint of kids preparing for their future.”
As Newt Gingrich says, and I paraphrase – After viewing this documentary it is evident that the United States is a country that is actively preparing for the 1956 Olympics.
2 Million Minutes
That’s a great link Don, Thanks!
Conservative Teacher, I hear you loud and clear. I’m in education too, and I’ve seen this firsthand, and it’s really pathetic. Social[ist] Studies (my subject) is even worse.
I’ve heard some English teachers complaining about the whole “white men are evil” theme they’re supposed to promote.
This is happening because the man in the street, the average voter, has paid little attention to whats happening in the schools. They elect school board members who care little for traditional values. The schools are full of teachers who come from the universities will little knowledge of what made this country great. These future teacher cross the stage and take a sheepskin that has little value except to open the door to the local school house and to the young minds of our children. We must start with the local school boards and then turn our sites on the universities who turn out such teachers. It will not be easy!
A.C.T… Good to see you over here as well!
I’ve noticed that my kids coming home with some, ahem, diversity training, I mean more modern literature.
They just roll their eyes because they understand what the school is trying to do.
Great post per usual.
Thanks to Conservative Teacher for contributing. It sounds like this is not an isolated thing he has been seeing, so evaluate educational decisions carefully.
I would like to see 1984 become mandatory reading, but we all know that’s not going to happen. I think a lot of the problem comes from the department of education. They have far to much power over what is taught in the classroom. The special interest groups have a lot of influence over them. I think, letting the states design curriculum would help a lot.
Schools are cesspools of bullcrap, unfortunately.
That they are Matthew. Thanks for the comment. I’ll check out your place later.
This is a complete disgrace and shameful. Thank you for writing about this CT: They are dumbing down America SO much, the only thing they want kids to learn is the socialist agenda, and “rules for Radicals”.
God Help America.