Reply to Is Shakespeare not taught in DCPS?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Why Shakespeare? Why not Chaucer?  
[b]I’m also wondering how many of the vigorous supporters of reading Shakespeare have read any of his works beyond some academic requirement[/b], or have even gone to plays.  Is this an ongoing interest with ongoing support? Any Folger fans? [/quote]

I have read everything he wrote.  I reread plays during the summers.  In my years as an English teacher at a UK boarding school, I have taken many classes to the Globe to see live performances, and I often attend these just with friends.  I have been so grateful to engage with a programme via the educational team at the Globe, which sends their team to schools to lead workshops in acting Shakespeare with students.  Every year I direct a play at my school.  And I have a Ph d. in English Literature.

What are your credentials?
[/quote]

Yale undergrad and a PhD in a social science — which is more than enough education to ask a very simple question about why some people are championing a particular recommendation. [/quote]

I don't need a PhD to understand that teaching Shakespeare is racist.[/quote]

Care to explain or it should be self evident? From your statement we can be confident that you don’t have a PhD or that you understand anything of substance.[/quote]

For one, Shakespeare is just not equitable. The wording is highly specific to Anglo culture that not all communities may be familiar with (I know I certainly wasn't). That right there shuts out many kids. For the same reason they stopped making questions on the SAT about country clubs and sailing a long time ago. Why can't we also be more inclusive in our general education?![/quote]

Are we should have an English literature class on lowest common denominator works so that all students are 100% familiar with the vocabulary and everyone gets an A+, or even better no grades anymore because equity. What books would you find appropriate for this purpose? Dog Man, Wimpy kid? The fact that the SAT culturally favors white students has been debunked numerous times.[/quote]

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