Nancy Flanagan taught music for many years in Michigan. She draws on her deep experience in this post to set the record straight about what parents really want from their schools.
Extremist groups funded by rightwing autocrats claim to speak for parents, but they use their platform to spread propaganda and lies. They say they speak for “parental rights,” but they spread fear, distrust and lies.
John Gibbs, the Republican candidate for Congress in western Michigan, said that:
Folks, did you ever think that one day in America, we’d have to worry about schools putting obscene books in their libraries? This is simply insane–we must stop the madness. Voters overwhelmingly oppose sexually explicit books in public school libraries.
Flanagan answers Gibbs:
Well—folks. I’m not worried about obscene or sexually explicit books in public school libraries. Because there is no madness, no insanity, no pornography in school libraries.
Teachers and school leaders also overwhelmingly oppose sexually explicit books in school libraries. The word we use is ‘inappropriate’—materials are selected by trained school media specialists, who know inappropriate when they see it.
The entire slate of MI Republicans running for statewide or national office, not just Gibbs, is hell-bent on insisting that schools have become (in the past two years) hotbeds of sexual orientation and gender identity transformation, not to mention racial tension and guilt-inducement. They are led in this effort by the Republican candidate for Governor, Tudor Dixon.
Gibbs goes on to say, on behalf of Republican candidate for Governor in Michigan, Tudor Dixon:
What Tudor wants to accomplish is very simple and common sense. She wants to get radical sex and gender theory out of our schools, remove classroom instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity for grades K-3, make sure gender specific sports remain gender specific given biological differences in boys vs. girls and post all curriculum online for parents to see and be involved in their child’s education. Every child deserves a world class education and parents should be in charge of it.
Flanagan answers:
So let’s break this down.
Radical sex and gender theory? (Not a part of the curriculum in any school I’ve been in.)
Classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for the littles? (Likewise—nope, nope.)
Gender specific sports? (The Michigan High School Athletic Association has a policy adopted in 2012 that determines post-season tournament eligibility for transgender athletes on a case-by-case basis. The group received and approved 10 applications in the past five years—so this is hardly a burning statewide issue.)
Post all curriculum online? (Sure. Most districts post their standards framework—what gets taught, when– and public high schools in Michigan have adapted the Michigan Merit Curriculum.)
Every child deserves a world class education and parents should be in charge of it. (Right out of the Glenn Youngkin playbook, a statement like this, which is mostly true, really resonates.)
But here’s the truth (from 32 years of classroom experience): What bubbles up in classroom discussions and playgrounds is what’s on the minds of the kids in that classroom. This starts early, in Tudor Dixon’s forbidden zone, grades K-3—like this story about the boy who chose a ‘Frozen’ backpack.
Kids are curious and they’re paying attention to what their parents and their screens (and their friends, and their older siblings) are telling them. I taught music and math, two subjects you’d think were pretty straightforward and controversy-free, but can testify that anytime you get a cluster of kids together, provocative issues emerge.
Please open the link and read the rest of this common sense, informed commentary. Parents are not fooled by this fear mingering. They know their children’s teachers, and they trust them.
As usual Nancy is right on target. The political double talk begins with a false statement and follows with disgust.
For example, Democrats want porn stars running naked through a 3 rd grade classroom. Followed by That is a disgrace? That is horrible and those Democrats should be hung.
For the non thinkers, they hear the statement and respond in kind. Of course the second part of the statement is supported by all. It would be a disgrace if it happened. Thinkers will realize that the first part of the statement is a lie as was the case Nancy brought forward.
This double talk happens all the time. Don’t be fooled.
Yet another case of deception in the same story. The parents should be in charge of the curriculum. However, the problem is everyone thinks they are THE PARENTS. Just like everyone thinks they are WE THE PEOPLE. All means all. Not just the loud ones or the 2% that certain politicians want. Don’t be deceived, don’t be conned.
THINK WHILE IT’S STILL LEGAL!
good mantra: All means ALL.
Simple response: If this is so rampant, “Where y’all (hypocrites) been?”
But given the simplicity and probable lack of education or this is pay-back for not being at the cool kids table in high school… here are some
“I-Can’t-believe-I’m-typing-this-2022” counter arguments:
So your afraid life imitates art and all those “gay” displays…
Scout was a tomboy.
Huck wore a dress.
Tom Hanks, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Robin Williams dressed up as women for entire movies and tv show.
Cate Blanchette played Romeo
Klinger
“Uh, how about those Priests”
Where were they v. thousands of priests in their parishes and around the globe? How many stormed parish meetings, protested outside their churches, marched on the Vatican?
Parents have ALWAYS had a voice or “How many meetings did you attend in the last… year, decade, ever?”
School districts across the country have policies requiring determination of curriculum resources, required to have a Complaint Policy specifically for books, required to have forms to complete which require a response, and every Public Board Meeting for a hundred years is required to have “Comments” for the public.
“Control those teaching and modeling for our kids” – Well, there goes teaching current events
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD – “And they let you do it!”
Herschel Walker, Herschel Walker, and Herschel Walker
Boebert’s husband was arrested for what?”
Two days ago DeSantis foisted more absurdity on Florida teachers. “Florida will strip licenses of K-3 teachers who discuss gender identity, sexuality. Florida plans to revoke or suspend the teaching licenses of elementary school educators who teach students about gender identity or sexuality, according to a new rule published by the state’s Department of Education.”
Unfortunately, a license to teach in Florida is not something that many teachers want anymore due to the “fear and loathing” tactics DeSantis uses against educators in the state. Overall, parents do not agree with DeSantis, but a great many of them will vote for him anyway.
Nancy is spot on. Don’t forget, however, that it should not be important what parents want from schools. It should be necessary what democratic, civic society demands of schools.
Better cut Romeo and Juliet from the curriculum! And the Bible!
I know. Let’s just cut books altogether. Kids start reading books, they start having ideas, who know what that could lead to!!! They might start thinking that a president shouldn’t try to overthrow an election, that virgins don’t conceive and give birth, that the founders didn’t intend for this to be a Christian nation, that there are no Jewish space lasers–crazy stuff like that.
This is such a great breakdown of the issues that fear-mongering conservatives throw out there all the time. There is quite a clear disconnect in the minds of these extremists and what is actually going on in classrooms across the country…not to mention the violent bigotry that underlies all these talking points.