I put most of my writing time into content for those in education. Some feel uncomfortable when comments on political issues are mixed with comments on educational issues. I understand this concern, but also feel that it is naive for educators to be passive when it comes to such issues. Public education is by nature political as funding and direction can be determined by elected officials. I sometimes accommodate this disparity by commenting on education issues on this site.
This has been a political season like no other. The issues associated with the Presidential race have been so contentious that the media offers nearly continuous commentary on the blow by blow developments. In comparison, other races seem almost invisible.
I wonder how educators are dealing with what students have seen and heard and how the “issues” have been explained in their homes. It seems to me that the model of the political process and notions of capitalism we promote as the “American” way have been exposed as idealistic and not useful for processing the reality that young people now see. This is far more than learning that democrats and republicans have predictably different perspectives on the role of government, funding responsibilities, and what we mean by equity and social responsibility. It seems business success involves more than the basics of having a great idea, borrowing money to develop and offer this idea as a product or service, compensating investors fairly for taking a risk, and supporting workers through reasonable compensation including benefits such as health care.
The very public reality is that successful business includes exploiting loopholes and stiffing investors and employees. Taking advantage turns out to be “genius”. Vague promises, simplistic charges of political failure, blatant sexism and racial bias promoted as telling it like it is, and dismissal of serious personal flaws as inconsequential in comparison to what I can do for you are the all too visible information offered as the basis for the decision voters are to make.
Students must wonder at the disconnect between the noble vision presented to them and the reality they experience outside the classroom. What is a teacher to do?