Private Schools Wokeness Over the Top

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Sounds like you would be happy for your kids to be taught about the specific type of oppression that has affected people of your ethnicity/religion. But you chafe at having to think about any injustice that doesn't affect you personally (or a group you identify with).

Maybe think about why that is

Not really. The "People's History of the United States" talks about oppression of the various minority groups in the US. I also mentioned in a separate post that I am a big fan of Cornell West and Reverend Barbar who focus mostly on anti-black racism within the US and income inequality. Also really like James Baldwin. The problem is that you can't understand why a person who is against colonialism, racism etc. is also against this new progressive ideology. There is a huge difference between Cornell West and Kendi. The difference between the two is why I just can't stand this new DEI crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Harsh question: Why should someone who claims to be “from a foreign background “ and from a religion that hardly represents a common viewpoint in the US expect to “fit in” — or even want to “fit in”? Surely you must realize that it’s the culture and values behind what you deem “wokeness” that has given you and your kids not just the chance of fitting in, but of being accepted at all by schools and universities that, not too long ago, we’re almost exclusively white, male, American, and, in many cases aggressively Christian?

Exactly, she needs to hurry up and get anti-American and start apologizing for the ways of the world each of the last 10 centuries.
Must need a little more time and kendi books.

OP here. There is a lot that america is doing that is bad (there is a lot of good as well). Just look at the US military footprint around the world. Kendi doesn’t focus on that though. His focus and DeAngelo’s focus is basically on making white people feel bad about themselves. It’s very individualistic too which is quite fitting for American society. It does nothing to change the situation of the victims of US aggression. Kendi is so bad that he makes me want to defend white men lol lol.

Meanwhile in the rest of the world today: boy sex slave trade in west Africa, lack of women’s rights in several countries, human trafficking, cartel violence, child marriages, mutilation…

OP here. I don't disagree with you. Countries are not black and white. If I criticize the US it doesn't mean that other countries are great. If I criticize other countries, it doesn't mean the US is great. The US has good and bad. The good is why I'm here The world is not black and white. The problem with this new progressive ideology is it makes everything black and white. Conservatives do this too of course but its sad that progressives are becoming very similar to conservatives in this regard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Sounds like you would be happy for your kids to be taught about the specific type of oppression that has affected people of your ethnicity/religion. But you chafe at having to think about any injustice that doesn't affect you personally (or a group you identify with).

Maybe think about why that is

Not really. The "People's History of the United States" talks about oppression of the various minority groups in the US. I also mentioned in a separate post that I am a big fan of Cornell West and Reverend Barbar who focus mostly on anti-black racism within the US and income inequality. Also really like James Baldwin. The problem is that you can't understand why a person who is against colonialism, racism etc. is also against this new progressive ideology. There is a huge difference between Cornell West and Kendi. The difference between the two is why I just can't stand this new DEI crap.

Just to be clear. The above response is from me, the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure the educated legal immigrants value things like: hard work, following the rules, staying out of trouble and crime, education, freedoms, land rights, liberty, local govt over huge central govt, etc.

Many countries in 2023 don’t have the above values or characteristics, more reward them. But maybe with a few less tests, defunding the police, reparations, admit and job quotas, and welfare programs we can really accel.

OP here. There is a lot of good about the US for sure and us immigrants really value the above! I’m not anti welfare though and as an immigrant I think the US healthcare system is pretty insane. I do believe in a single payer healthcare system. I do feel the US has gone backwards when it comes to freedom of speech. Not sure what happened to the ACLU.

England no longer does.

And remember, Canada went bankrupt in 1998.

OP here. The UK doesn't have a single payer healthcare system. It has a public healthcare system (which is being dismantled unfortunately). My home country does too. But I don't think it works for the US. Canada's system has many issues but its definitely better than people not having healthcare at all. But what's happening in Canada's healthcare system is definitely problematic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Harsh question: Why should someone who claims to be “from a foreign background “ and from a religion that hardly represents a common viewpoint in the US expect to “fit in” — or even want to “fit in”? Surely you must realize that it’s the culture and values behind what you deem “wokeness” that has given you and your kids not just the chance of fitting in, but of being accepted at all by schools and universities that, not too long ago, we’re almost exclusively white, male, American, and, in many cases aggressively Christian?

Talk about saying the quiet part out loud. Before it went out of virtue signaling fashion, there was a melting pot theory (and practice). Now, fitting in is passe in favor of naked tribalism, which ultimately thrives no hate.

OP here. I'm not a fan of the melting pot theory but not a fan of this new tribalism as well where everyone is part of some microcommunity..

[Anonymous]

OP, you’re worried about some vague notion of wokeness that hasn’t apparently even affected you or your kids in private school. And yet racism, ableism, and general bullying of minority groups still happens a lot in the public schools in this area. Are you sure you want to dump wokeness? Some kid made fun of my dd’s darker skin color and compared her to a turd. She was too hurt and embarrassed to tell me about the incident for a whole year. Just one reason I will be happy to trade public school for our woke private school next year. And check out this recent gem from TikTok. At least I know that this type of behavior would get a kid instantly expelled from any private school: https://www.tiktok.com/@tizzyent/video/7187837986858421547

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Harsh question: Why should someone who claims to be “from a foreign background “ and from a religion that hardly represents a common viewpoint in the US expect to “fit in” — or even want to “fit in”? Surely you must realize that it’s the culture and values behind what you deem “wokeness” that has given you and your kids not just the chance of fitting in, but of being accepted at all by schools and universities that, not too long ago, we’re almost exclusively white, male, American, and, in many cases aggressively Christian?

Talk about saying the quiet part out loud. Before it went out of virtue signaling fashion, there was a melting pot theory (and practice). Now, fitting in is passe in favor of naked tribalism, which ultimately thrives no hate.

OP here. I'm not a fan of the melting pot theory but not a fan of this new tribalism as well where everyone is part of some microcommunity..

... and where everyone is supposed to judge and hate each other based on their external group identity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Sounds like you would be happy for your kids to be taught about the specific type of oppression that has affected people of your ethnicity/religion. But you chafe at having to think about any injustice that doesn't affect you personally (or a group you identify with).

Maybe think about why that is

Not really. The "People's History of the United States" talks about oppression of the various minority groups in the US. I also mentioned in a separate post that I am a big fan of Cornell West and Reverend Barbar who focus mostly on anti-black racism within the US and income inequality. Also really like James Baldwin. The problem is that you can't understand why a person who is against colonialism, racism etc. is also against this new progressive ideology. There is a huge difference between Cornell West and Kendi. The difference between the two is why I just can't stand this new DEI crap.

Honestly I don't really understand. You liked the People's History of the United States but you don't think your kids should learn about the genocide of the Native American people? You like James Baldwin but you don't think kids should learn about the legacy of slavery or that there are multiple possible gender identities? Maybe go back and re-read those

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Sounds like you would be happy for your kids to be taught about the specific type of oppression that has affected people of your ethnicity/religion. But you chafe at having to think about any injustice that doesn't affect you personally (or a group you identify with).

Maybe think about why that is

Not really. The "People's History of the United States" talks about oppression of the various minority groups in the US. I also mentioned in a separate post that I am a big fan of Cornell West and Reverend Barbar who focus mostly on anti-black racism within the US and income inequality. Also really like James Baldwin. The problem is that you can't understand why a person who is against colonialism, racism etc. is also against this new progressive ideology. There is a huge difference between Cornell West and Kendi. The difference between the two is why I just can't stand this new DEI crap.

More power to you, OP! I’m African American and it drives me crazy that people think I must be alt right or something if I don’t like Kendi, as if he represents some sort of gospel of black intellectual thought. Plenty of black people have better takes on racism than Kendi. But their takes tend to me more complicated (as the truth often is) and less amenable to DEI buzz word reduction.

[Anonymous]

^^^ tend to be

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure the educated legal immigrants value things like: hard work, following the rules, staying out of trouble and crime, education, freedoms, land rights, liberty, local govt over huge central govt, etc.

Many countries in 2023 don’t have the above values or characteristics, more reward them. But maybe with a few less tests, defunding the police, reparations, admit and job quotas, and welfare programs we can really accel.

OP here. There is a lot of good about the US for sure and us immigrants really value the above! I’m not anti welfare though and as an immigrant I think the US healthcare system is pretty insane. I do believe in a single payer healthcare system. I do feel the US has gone backwards when it comes to freedom of speech. Not sure what happened to the ACLU.

The ACLU was hijacked by progressive interests during the Trump administration.

If you are interested in supporting freedom of expression in the US, check out https://www.thefire.org/

Thanks. I've heard some criticisms of FIRE but any initiative to get back to what the ACLU's original mission is a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Sounds like you would be happy for your kids to be taught about the specific type of oppression that has affected people of your ethnicity/religion. But you chafe at having to think about any injustice that doesn't affect you personally (or a group you identify with).

Maybe think about why that is

Not really. The "People's History of the United States" talks about oppression of the various minority groups in the US. I also mentioned in a separate post that I am a big fan of Cornell West and Reverend Barbar who focus mostly on anti-black racism within the US and income inequality. Also really like James Baldwin. The problem is that you can't understand why a person who is against colonialism, racism etc. is also against this new progressive ideology. There is a huge difference between Cornell West and Kendi. The difference between the two is why I just can't stand this new DEI crap.

Honestly I don't really understand. You liked the People's History of the United States but you don't think your kids should learn about the genocide of the Native American people? You like James Baldwin but you don't think kids should learn about the legacy of slavery or that there are multiple possible gender identities? Maybe go back and re-read those

DP. It’s not about being against “learning about” those things. It’s the ideological explanatory framework of those things that is very flawed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent from a foreign background, this article resonated with me. I feel lost here and feel like I no longer fit in.

https://www.slowboring.com/p/who-is-included-by-inclusive-language

You fit in like we do, also a foreign couple who used to live in DC:

Move to Florida! The whole coast from Miami to Delray Beach is awesome, beautiful, cosmopolitan...and sane.

Plenty of great schools too around Boca Raton, both public and private.

Give it a thought

It is among the most corrupt states in the country. No thanks.

OP here. Above response wasn’t from me by the way. Florida doesn’t appeal to me because all my in laws are here lol. Plus DC has more expats and it’s easier to get flights to back home But I’m not anti Florida like the above poster. Enjoy the sunshine!

Don't worry, it was very easy to distinguish you from the corrupt poster

Just in case look up flights from Miami, you may be surprised. There are people from all over getting along very well, including Latinos and anglos and Haitians and of course Jews and many Arabs (many come from the Ontario area to spend the winters here).

Best

Yes! My cousin who lives in Canada tells me that this is a thing! Florida has its own issues but yes I agree that it is becoming more and more diverse.

Best regards to your smart cousin and come visit him/her some time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Harsh question: Why should someone who claims to be “from a foreign background “ and from a religion that hardly represents a common viewpoint in the US expect to “fit in” — or even want to “fit in”? Surely you must realize that it’s the culture and values behind what you deem “wokeness” that has given you and your kids not just the chance of fitting in, but of being accepted at all by schools and universities that, not too long ago, we’re almost exclusively white, male, American, and, in many cases aggressively Christian?

Exactly, she needs to hurry up and get anti-American and start apologizing for the ways of the world each of the last 10 centuries.
Must need a little more time and kendi books.

OP here. There is a lot that america is doing that is bad (there is a lot of good as well). Just look at the US military footprint around the world. Kendi doesn’t focus on that though. His focus and DeAngelo’s focus is basically on making white people feel bad about themselves. It’s very individualistic too which is quite fitting for American society. It does nothing to change the situation of the victims of US aggression. Kendi is so bad that he makes me want to defend white men lol lol.

Meanwhile in the rest of the world today: boy sex slave trade in west Africa, lack of women’s rights in several countries, human trafficking, cartel violence, child marriages, mutilation…

OP here. I don't disagree with you. Countries are not black and white. If I criticize the US it doesn't mean that other countries are great. If I criticize other countries, it doesn't mean the US is great. The US has good and bad. The good is why I'm here The world is not black and white. The problem with this new progressive ideology is it makes everything black and white. Conservatives do this too of course but its sad that progressives are becoming very similar to conservatives in this regard.

More relevant is 2023 vs 1400s or 1600s

And why slave trade to east coast and not the larger Caribbean or Central America or with America trade. And the slave trade, w mandatory castration, from Africa to the mideast dwarves those too. Even the AA Smithsonian has a huge map of flows on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I believe in diversity and equity. The way it is pushed these days is more like a religion where other opinions are not allowed (look at the Hamline University debacle.. I am muslim and every muslim I know thinks what happens is insane). I am a person who is an admirer of Edward Said's book Orientalism as well as the People's History of the United States. I am Arab so am staunchly anti-imperialist. But I think schools have gone overboard. Also there is very little critique of class. I get it - they are private schools. But it is hypocritical to be pushing all of this and ignore the class aspect.

My kids are young - Kindergarten and first grade so they haven't been exposed to a lot of this yet. But I am worried that there is some indoctrination going on.

Sounds like you would be happy for your kids to be taught about the specific type of oppression that has affected people of your ethnicity/religion. But you chafe at having to think about any injustice that doesn't affect you personally (or a group you identify with).

Maybe think about why that is

Not really. The "People's History of the United States" talks about oppression of the various minority groups in the US. I also mentioned in a separate post that I am a big fan of Cornell West and Reverend Barbar who focus mostly on anti-black racism within the US and income inequality. Also really like James Baldwin. The problem is that you can't understand why a person who is against colonialism, racism etc. is also against this new progressive ideology. There is a huge difference between Cornell West and Kendi. The difference between the two is why I just can't stand this new DEI crap.

More power to you, OP! I’m African American and it drives me crazy that people think I must be alt right or something if I don’t like Kendi, as if he represents some sort of gospel of black intellectual thought. Plenty of black people have better takes on racism than Kendi. But their takes tend to me more complicated (as the truth often is) and less amenable to DEI buzz word reduction.

OP here. Thanks PP! Yes exactly! The problem with Kendi are that his takes are too simplistic and reductive. There are so many people with better takes out there that are just regular people who aren't making money off of their takes.