Our society likes to think that we are teaching our children the democratic way in school. In fact what is being taught to our children is patriotism. Cornell West wrote the purpose of patriotism or nationalism is to "keep the populace differential and complacent." Democracy is not only having the freedoms that we hold so high in our society, but actually using those rights. What is taught to our children is that we are the greatest country in the world and that we have and can do no wrong. This is nationalism not democracy. These ideals are instilled early in our children and unless they seek information for themselves, they will like many before them simply tow the line and not question what our country and more accurately our government does. This is so ingrained in our nation that a group such as the Trilateral Commission can openly state this is the role of schools and so few can actually question it. I personally feel offended that this happened to me and my peers in school. Many students who I went to high school with do not have the opportunity to have access to the knowledge that I have. Elementary, middle and high schools essentially sugarcoat the information we are given, we are not allowed to be free thinkers and question the information we are given, largely because we are not given information to do so. By not revealing the truths of the past, Japanese internment camps, slavery, treatment of Native Americans, to name a few, we are enabling our society to ignore the actions of the present and recent past, Iraq, Kosovo and Vietnam. It is the teaching of nationalism and patriotism rather than true democracy that us doing a disservice to our students and our society.
So how do we fix this problem of not knowing what true democracy is? We of course must start when children are young, get to them before the great political machine does. It is undoubtedly a difficult task to get people to question what they believe is true. However, no one questions more than children. I think because the schools are so indoctrinated into the ideals of patriotism as democracy, we have to start from the outside and work our way in. Informed parents and organizations need to help children and other parents understand what democracy is. People need to begin questioning the system and encouraging students to take a stand in their schools. Within schools, informed student media and groups need to let fellow students know that they have the right and responsibility to speak out and question what they hear and are taught. In addition Chomsky states teachers "have the obligation to serve and tell the truth about things that are important, things that matter." Many teachers understand what democracy is, but are constrained by the system in which they can teach. I see them as unwilling "agents" of nationalism. However, if we are to truly make a change in the understanding of democracy a great burden does fall on them to not only teach the truth of our history, but to show their students that democracy is about exercising your freedoms, even within the school system. It certainly sounds like a daunting task, but once again it is a necessary step to try and show that we acknowledge our mistakes from the past and need to move towards a society that is truly democratic.
This article (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/262189_democracy09.html) by Walter Parker an author and professor at the University of Washington outlines three steps in helping children understand and embrace democracy in school. For me the most interesting aspect is relating the ideas to topics the children are interested in and that affect them; bullying, dress codes and stealing to name a few. Teach them how democracy affects them now and how they can exercise their freedoms, and we will hopefully see them continue to exercise those rights and responsibilities in the future. The process outlined by Parker will allow and encourage the quietest voice to speak and know that they can be heard.
4 comments:
How does all of this relate to the deep tradition of democracy in america?
Without question we need to start teaching children when they are young about democracy and their rights as students. Granted the children might not let all of this sink in time to make a dramatic difference, so i feel as if the parents must also take the time to learn about what the rights are of their children within the system. Until both parties fully understand the system and their practices education will still be the same.
Right! We say that we love democracy so much and we try to impose it on others by occupying their countries and forcing their governments to model ours. Yet, our system is less and less democratic each day due to complacency. However, I do not believe that we will impassion others to become active activists without first educating them. You may feel offended that you weren't educated properly due to the hidden curriculum that our plutocratic system has beset for us. I do too! So perhaps it is up to us to further the understanding of others so that they may join us in dissenting! :D
I think you made a great point about our country teaching our children more about patriotism than democracy. We have always been taught that we live in the best place and everyone wants to come here blah blah blah. Is this really the best place to live? We are guilty of many of the same wrongdoings we accuse other countries of doing such as brainwashing. We have brainwashed our youth through education and censoring all the things we approve of and want them to know. I also agree with your statement, "if we are to truly make a change in the understanding of democracy a great burden does fall on them to not only teach the truth of our history, but to show their students that democracy is about exercising your freedoms, even within the school system." We are a society of monkey see monkey do-yes I just really said that.
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