Dear Awake IL: Challenging Misinformation and Calling for Dialogue

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 are referencing libraries, the government's role in education, and trans kids.  I sincerely hope that these comments might be considered thoughtfully.  I write this open letter hoping to engage in meaningful dialogue, so that I can continue to learn and grow, and maybe encourage others to engage constructively, also.

(1) Spreading fear and overgeneralizations about libraries, while neglecting valuable services they offer

On Tuesday, 6/20/23, you updated your cover photo banner photo to a call to "reject the American Library Association Bill of Rights" (red text at bottom of image) with the statement, "It's really this simple: porn is bad for kids." 

In another post with this image, you imply that libraries distribute porn to minors.  

Your post does not provide specific details about the incident that prompted this claim or clarify the nature of the content being categorized as porn.  

It overlooks the fact that libraries provide a wide range of resources, including educational materials addressing healthy relationships, consent and sexual health.  

By not clarifying the scope of the issue or offering evidence to support your claim, posts like these can be widely shared, resulting in the spread of misinformation.  

This promotes an environment of fear and hostility towards libraries, without considering the important role they play in providing valuable resources and promoting literacy within communities.

(2) Oversimplifying government role in education, towards neglecting the perspectives of non-Christian families

Also this week (6/19/23), you posted your support of "education freedom" advertising a local Christian school, with the commentary, "Don't want government overreach or indoctrination?  Put the full armor of Bible-based academic enrichment over your children."  

This statement is concerning for a variety of reasons.  First, it's concerning because it implies that the government involvement in education constitutes overreach and indoctrination, which is an oversimplification of a complex topic that ignores the important role that the government plays in working towards ensuring equitable access to education for all children.  

Second, it suggests that opting for a Christian school automatically safeguards children from government overreach and indoctrination, which it does not.  Private religious schools offer an important service to the community, but they are not immune to bias and limitations in curriculum and teaching methods.  

By presenting a binary choice between government-run education and Bible-based academic enrichment, your post overlooks the possibility of a balanced approach that meets the needs of a Christian faith-based family while also recognizing the value of diverse perspectives, and the importance of respecting individual beliefs and values.  Education should empower and include all children, not just Christian children.

(3) Distorted claims of a systematic conspiracy around trans kids

You also posted about a Daily Mail article about how "teachers trade tips on transitioning kids without telling parents," referring to a "trans school conspiracy" being exposed.  

This post implies a broad and coordinated effort within the educational system to conceal information about children transitioning from their parents; I believe it is a generalization that paints a distorted, decontextualized picture of the reality and diversity of experiences within schools, and that it's problematic because it can perpetuate unfounded suspicions about the intentions of educators.

An invitation towards trustworthy dialogue

Posts like these demonstrate fear-mongering tactics by making sweeping generalizations, by failing to consistently include specific details or evidence, and by presenting distorted and decontextualized narratives.  Tactics like these rely more on manipulating our emotions than providing trustworthy content, and hinder productive conversations through creating an atmosphere of fear, hostility and misinformation.  

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).  As an organization that appears to lift up an attitude of faith, I invite you to consider how approaching discussions with love and compassion, rather than with posts that encourage readers towards an attitude of fear and anger, might benefit your ministry.

Thank you for considering my perspective.

Sincerely,

Molly Sturm

IL resident, teacher and concerned parent

p.s. I want to address any concerns about the potential polarization that this letter (or my blog in general) may encourage in our community. It is my sincere hope that publishing this letter serves as an opportunity for respectful and meaningful dialogue, regardless of whether the responses are positive or negative. I firmly believe that we all share common goals: the well-being of our children, a desire for understanding, and a commitment to their education. We all want what is best for them. While we may hold differing perspectives, I genuinely hope that we can engage in communication that is characterized by mutual respect and empathy, and I truly hope that this open letter fosters this kind of communication.