I’ve got the song ‘Political‘ by Spirit of the West going through my head, even though this song is about a relationship breakup and not politics.
Chris Kennedy’s recent post, ‘My “Top 3” List for 2022‘ on his blog, Culture of Yes, got me thinking about being political. Here is the section that inspired my thoughts:
Top 3 Issues that I see in US media that I am keeping an eye on (and worried about):
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Book bans
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Limits on classroom discussions
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‘Parents Rights’ push
I know there are some, largely isolated for now, examples of these topics in Canada, but we see them regularly in our news feeds with the constant volume of US media. The book banners are back, taking on many of the classics again. There are many lists that circulate, including this one from CBS News of the 50 most banned books in the United States. Also in the news a lot is discussion over what topics teachers can and can’t talk about. Here is an article from earlier this year indicating 1/4 of all teachers were in positions where they were being asked to limit discussions on certain topics. Finally, the parents rights push is one that gives parents greater control over what their children are taught. It is actually related to the other two issues, as all three are coming out of a conservative legislators in the United States. I am always hesitant to write about what is happening in the US, as I find some people are already believing we are in the same position. We have very different systems, but it is regularly on our televisions and in our social media feeds so it is worth following.
I commented:
Season’s greetings Chris!
Like you I’m always hesitant to share US concerns, but there has been a definite creep of bad ideas into our country. Example: I’ve chosen every election since becoming an educator to be non-partisan and just promote voting, but this year I openly spoke out against a very conservative and dishonest group of candidates for Board of Education Trustees in our district. It seems we only have two choices these days, allow bad ideas to seep in, or be openly political and speak up before those ideas take hold. The coming year is not one to wait and watch what happens without participating in the conversations of ideas that concern us. We can not be a silent majority, we can not be apolitical. We must be active participants in a system that, while better than the one south of the border, is not immune to the influences of a very dichotomous and politically charged neighbouring country.
It’s not fair to say that this is just a US issue. Italy has a new far-right government, and nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiment can be felt in many other countries. The reality is that there is a very vocal minority who seem to garner too much attention and interest because the counter opinion is either silent, or an equally small opposing minority that are extreme in their opposing views. In fact some of the views coming from the far left are actually more fascist than the views on the right. For example, choosing violence to combat opposing views to a point where free speech is no longer truly free. 
2023 will be a year to speak up and speak out. You don’t have to support a political party, but if you think you can be vocal and not also be political, you are probably mistaken. Your politics will permeate your point of view, and choosing to be silent is no longer just non-partisan or apolitical; it’s choosing to allow lesser, more biased people to share their minority points of view as if they are the majority. The silent majority can be silent no more.
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If you are interested in education, it’s worth taking the time to read Chris’ post, ‘My “Top 3” List for 2022‘, especially these three sections, ‘Top 3 Shifts in BC Education in 2022’, ‘Top 3 Education Topics We Should Talk More about in 2023’, and ‘Top 3 Education Topics from 2022 that need long-term fixes’. And while you are at it, subscribe to his blog.
Good points! Unfortunately, most things in life at minimum have political overtones if not fully political. As an educator in higher education and the field I am in i regularly deal with issues of oppression, race, gender and sexuality. The conservativism that is rearing its ugly head is really about fundamentalism and a belief we can return to the past where some were privileged (white heterosexual males) and others were not. You are right, we must speak out and there can be no political neutrality.
The blindness to privilege is what really blows me away. How can people feel like they lose something because others are lifted up? How can people expect to impose their beliefs on others and so viciously defend the rights of their own beliefs? It is a blend of ignorance, hypocrisy, and hatred that is masked in false injury. It is ugly and needs to be addressed and not ignored… and as we have both said, it will also be political.
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