Politics are People

In the wake of Election Day, 2024 I am left with questions rumbling around in my head. How do I, as a Bible believing Christian, move forward with this?  At times, I feel paralyzed.  The left seems ready to lay the hammer down on all Christians, assuming they all voted one way.  At the same time, the right is so dogmatic that in my opinion, many of them disregard the Christlike aspects of democratic ideals.  It is confusing, frustrating, maddening. Sometime told me, "let your light shine.  Sit with us and hold space for our despair.  As our lights dim and start to flicker, share your light." It's time, I think; time to put my processing into words.  The past two days have been challenging when it comes to feeling hopeful.  I have felt discouraged;  This election didn't go the way that I wanted it to go.  Yesterday I listened to Madam Vice President's concession speech and it brought some lightness; at the same time that there is lightne...

Dear Awake IL, I hope to be an agent of peace and wonder if this is a value that is important to you, also.  I am writing to express concerns weighing on my heart about your recent Facebook posts that foster overgeneralizations, stereotypes and misinformation about community organizations.   In following your Facebook feed in the past, I noticed that you would raise concerns about the state of education in the USA today.  You have highlighted issues such as schools allegedly keeping secrets from parents about their children, schools being indoctrination centers, and the call for parents to defend their children.  I believe we have shared values about taking care of our children and wanting an excellent and safe education for them.  However, I am concerned about your use of overgeneralizations, stereotypes and misinformation about how community systems function in order to further your message. Here are some examples of concerning posts from June, 2023 that ...

People who are active on social media in my school district are likely aware of concerns about conservative groups trying to influence school board elections.   I myself am concerned. I feel that some of the ideas about education that are distributed by these groups are fueling activism that’s based on unsubstantiated claims and simplification of nuanced topics. I know that progressives aren’t immune to this, but honestly, I’ve noticed it more in my community from the conservative side, especially from a few school board candidates whose language & activities are reminiscent of what I’m seeing from these groups. Here are some groups I’ve found with an expressed interest in influencing school board elections. Awake IL Awake IL was launched in May of 2021 and seems particularily active in my area.  According to its website, its mission is: "To empower local communities to create their own grassroots Awake Illinois chapter. At the local level, by engaging with each other...

This essay analyzes the problematic messaging in a Courage is a Habit resource on countering radical indoctrination in K-2 schools.  It reveals that most claims are oversimplified or unsubstantiated.  The author encourages the reader to question the credibility of those who distribute claims that are similarly unfounded.  It makes a convincing call for a shift away from divisive rhetoric and towards respectful and constructive dialogue, a shift that is exceedingly important in today’s internet age.    Read parts  1  and    2 . A Critical Analysis of the “Language Contamination Series” by Courage is a Habit Part 3 - Conclusion Their Call to Action We have seen how the first part of the pamphlet attempted to define “language contamination”, where words used by “critical race theorists” and transgender advocates “don’t mean what you think they mean.” We also saw examples of phrases and what they actually mean according to Courage is a Habit’s p...

This essay analyzes the problematic messaging in a Courage is a Habit resource on countering radical indoctrination in K-2 schools.  It reveals that most claims are oversimplified or unsubstantiated.  The author encourages the reader to question the credibility of those who distribute claims that are similarly unfounded.  It makes a convincing call for a shift away from divisive rhetoric and towards respectful and constructive dialogue, a shift that is exceedingly important in today’s internet age. (Read parts 1  and  3 )   A Critical Analysis of the “Language Contamination Series” by Courage is a Habit Part 2 5 “Contaminated Phrases” The bulk of the information in the resource put out by Courage is a Habit on "Language Contamination" provides examples of “contaminated language” in the following format: A short title provides an example of the kind of language one might expect to hear.  It is followed by a short paragraph, implying the “extended conte...

This essay analyzes the problematic messaging in a Courage is a Habit resource on countering radical indoctrination in K-2 schools. It reveals that most claims are oversimplified or unsubstantiated. The author encourages the reader to question the credibility of those who distribute claims that are similarly unfounded. It makes a convincing call for a shift away from divisive rhetoric and towards respectful and constructive dialogue, a shift that is exceedingly important in today’s internet age.  (Read parts  2  and  3 ) A Critical Analysis of the “Language Contamination Series” by Courage is a Habit Part 1 Introduction Courage is a Habit is “an organization that creates tools and strategies for the average parent, school board candidate, and legislator to take action in defending children from indoctrination in K-12,”  according to hosts Andrew and Beth of the Take Back Our Schools podcast in an interview with "fellow parent activist" Alvin Lui, its founder...