Can it be that we’re in a time machine? Is it even possible that censorship is being proposed in our school system?
I don’t follow the news much but this recent craziness regarding changing what we teach our students so that we can “promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights” as well as not “encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law” has me in a state of wonder.
The United States of America does not have a pretty past but that does not mean we can stick our heads in the sand and pretend those things didn’t happen. How else can we learn not to make the same mistakes again? I recently read a great book inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke. “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd follows two young girls – one white, one black – who wondered why they had the roles they did. Why one had to “own” the other? Why girls couldn’t own property or vote? They both eventually made real changes in their world and isn’t that what it’s all about?
No country is perfect just as no individual is perfect. We are all learning as we go and we hope we’re heading in the right direction. It is only by reflection that we can see whether we need to steer left or right, front or back. To the students and teachers who are speaking out against this censorship, I applaud you. For that truly is a step in the right direction.