Earlier today I published a biting critique of John White and Bobby Jindal, who are doing their best to privatize public education in Louisiana. I happen to think the pair have turned the state of Louisiana into an international laughing stock and put the future of a generation of children at risk.
The writer, who lives in Louisiana, called them vandals, said that John White is a hack, and referred to White’s staff as “the TFA Goon Squad.”
Two people wrote to say how shocked they were that I would permit such language to be used. They said I called for civility and had violated my own pledge.
I am reminded that when I used to tweet, I would find myself at the receiving end of really nasty, vituperative insults. I never responded in kind. But if I dared to show that I was offended, I could count on several reformer-types to jump in and tell me I was out of line. I have heard the same complaints in the past. These guys want a double standard; they want to be able to hurl insults and then step back and say, “you promised to be civil.”
Well, my friends, this is my blog, my living room, and I make the rules. Here they are, if you didn’t get them the first time around.
I watch my own language and tone. But there is very little that other people write that I censor.
I am not going to silence someone who cries out in righteous rage when their profession and their livelihood and their integrity are attacked by so-called reformers. I am not going to defer to those who have no respect for the men and women who teach our children every day.
I am not going to censor a writer who writes in the style of H.L. Mencken and uses colorful language.
Public officials who betray their sacred trust are fair game, and I won’t tell anyone to treat them gingerly. If they don’t like the heat, they can stay out of the kitchen, as Harry S Truman once said.
This is a site to discuss better education for all. If you want to join the discussion, welcome. But don’t expect me to silence or censor voices you don’t want to hear. If you don’t like what you are reading, don’t read it.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I did not take the article as uncivil at all. The man was outraged, as he should have been, by the disrespect shown by a governmental official to the people. It was not a personal attack. He used the power of the written word to take those guys down. I congratulate him, and I hope we see more pointed commentary like his.
I know the vitriol of which you write. In Wisconsin, where McCarthyism has taken on new life with the failed recall of our anti-public education governor, I average a few hate mail pieces a week from Gov. Walker’s supporters labeling me a communist. I just got one a minute ago. Any criticism of corporate reformers or Walker or Paul Ryan leads into tirades accusing me of class warfare and resentment of the rich.
I have been saving the hate mail and plan to publish a blog posting of my top ten hate mail. I have enough already to publish a small book.
My skin gets thicker and my resolve stronger. We are on the side of the angels.
Loved it and plan to send it to a few friends in higher ed, including one dean of a college of ed at a large southeastern university.
“Public officials who betray their sacred trust are fair game . . . .” This is key. While I’m undecided about whether and when derogatory terms are effective, people exercising power are symbols of their office. By virtue of their power alone, they are also suspect by default. The bounds of a passionate but civil discussion allow for their colorful description.
Couldn’t have said it better. Now is not the time to be “civil” toward people who are subverting democracy by subverting public education.
Amen Diane.
As in other instances, Diane puts it just right when she says that “[t]wo people wrote to say how shocked they were that I would permit such language to be used. They said I called for civility and had violated my own pledge.”
Let’s all take a deep breath before we start having anxiety attacks. What is the charge? Put in the simplest terms, that she controls what is posted on the world wide web, manipulating the very thoughts and feelings of the writer of the offending piece. Got me to thinking: maybe she utilized her heretofore unknown power to ‘cloud men’s minds’ [a la that radio super hero of yesteryear]. Or maybe, just maybe [I could be wrong, I admit], she lacks such extraordinary abilities and was simply bringing an interesting, if moderately sharply worded web posting, to the attention of the readers of her blog.
After all, if she did what they claimed she did [harboring the worst of intentions], she could easily have blocked all of Mr. Little’s comments [some of them ill-conceived] on this blog, for example, in a tit-for-tat retaliation for her shamefully shabby treatment by the pro-Rhee public forum called CNN.
Nope, she allowed the article and Mr. Little’s numerous comments, along with commentary on both. I think she should be applauded for her house rules. Perhaps this is a teachable moment: if a full and frank exchange favors those who discuss ideas, big and small, and disfavors those who push product, that’s the way the proverbial cookie crumbles.
For those accustomed to going along to get along and echo chamber thinking, this blog can look messy, ugly, unfocused, inefficient. Nonetheless, it’s part of something very precious to many of us: democracy, in action, with all of its defects and uncomfortable bumps in the road.
thank you!
Thank you for having us in as guests. I RESPECTFULLY disagree with these aforementioned persons. I hope they won’t be too offended when I do everything in my limited powers to halt any further influence they may have on the future education of my children and grandchildren. Is that a sufficient Mea Culpa? I might find a few more appropriate benedications and confessionals.
The men and women who, for their own gain, are selling off the futures of millions of young people, do not deserve our civility. Their duplicity needs be met with harsh rebuke. The time for restraint is past.
Diane, I think you are the greatest! I envy the skill you have for defending yourself in such a classy and erudite manner. Thanks for everything you have done , and continue to do for our teachers and students in our public schools.
I love the blog and the many commenters. …and you !
Thanks Diane. This discourse is why I am totally addicted to your blog. When I grow up I want to be just like you!!!
If they do not like the push-back, then they should take their agenda somewhere else.
Teachers will defend their students.
You go! Shameless hacks with unlimited hubris deserve everything they get from Diane and educators. Their undeserved media imposed expertise is smothering accurate information about teaching and learning.
Bravo!
Censorship is something I abhor. I don’t censor what somebody posts or chooses to write. I do censor myself when it comes to reposting. You choose to post what you are comfortable doing on your blog. I choose to post what I want on my facebook page. BTW, I posted the article in question. It was soooo good!
Thank you for not backing down to bullies. And, in addition, why aren’t education professors other than you mustering regiments?