Politics are People

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...