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In reply to the discussion: 8 Reasons Young Americans Don’t Fight Back [View all]jtuck004
(15,882 posts)60. 3. Schools That Educate for Compliance and Not for Democracy. <- A LOT flows from this one
Upon accepting the New York City Teacher of the Year Award on January 31, 1990, John Taylor Gatto upset many in attendance by stating: The truth is that schools dont really teach anything except how to obey orders. This is a great mystery to me because thousands of humane, caring people work in schools as teachers and aides and administrators, but the abstract logic of the institution overwhelms their individual contributions. A generation ago, the problem of compulsory schooling as a vehicle for an authoritarian society was widely discussed, but as this problem has gotten worse, it is seldom discussed.
The nature of most classrooms, regardless of the subject matter, socializes students to be passive and directed by others, to follow orders, to take seriously the rewards and punishments of authorities, to pretend to care about things they dont care about, and that they are impotent to affect their situation. A teacher can lecture about democracy, but schools are essentially undemocratic places, and so democracy is not what is instilled in students. Jonathan Kozol in The Night Is Dark and I Am Far from Home focused on how school breaks us from courageous actions. Kozol explains how our schools teach us a kind of inert concern in which caringin and of itself and without risking the consequences of actual actionis considered ethical. School teaches us that we are moral and mature if we politely assert our concerns, but the essence of schoolits demand for complianceteaches us not to act in a friction-causing manner.
In the Boston Public Schools Kozol relates in one of his books when he was told about the switches of wood kept in vinegar in the closet - "Because "their" skins are tougher, you know".
Beloved teachers. The switches are gone, replaced by handcuffs.
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Well, your generation did both. Much like my generation and the "War on Terror."
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2014
#21
So let me get this straight, you are trying to argue that my generation is too focused on money...
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2014
#25
You seem to be on this kick that EVERYONE in America bought into the Cold War.
Spitfire of ATJ
Jun 2014
#29
Bought into it? You and your fellow tax payers were one of its chief financiers.
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2014
#31
Uh huh,...the Teabaggers are rebelling against conservatives for not being conservative enough.
Spitfire of ATJ
Jun 2014
#36
even on DU if young people try to voice opinions/experiences/concerns they are shouted down
Tuesday Afternoon
Jun 2014
#12
We want to listen to you as well. The point is for everyone to listen and learn.
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2014
#26
Thank you and keep reading this thread for the other replies to my post.
Tuesday Afternoon
Jun 2014
#53
I don't agree with this blanket assertion. I DO know that, at 64, I will take issue with any poster
WinkyDink
Jun 2014
#51
That is your option and your experience on this website. I have seen differently. Especially in
Tuesday Afternoon
Jun 2014
#52
This is a bit depressing. I hope it hasn't gone that far, but fear it has.
mountain grammy
Jun 2014
#14
Minus the bit on electronics, all of that could be said about any generation.
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2014
#27
Don't forget the efforts to reduce and remove all normal levels of violence from childhood...
Antler
Jun 2014
#43
I think it's simply that there is no Draft, and the young are indoctrinated to seek wealth and fame.
WinkyDink
Jun 2014
#50