Wednesday, February 15, 2023

The American Taliban

One of the main joys of this part of my life is helping to look after our granddaughter, who is now 18 months old and very, very bright and engaged in the world around her. Sometimes, in order to 'coax' her to eat, we play some children's programming available on YouTube. Like the many books she has, the programs involve a diversity of characters, both White and non-White, both straight and gay, which I think is a tremendous way of teaching about the world's diversity.

Education has real power.

Unfortunately, in Ron DeSantis' world, diversity is perceived as inimical to young minds, and many jurisdictions in Florida are pursuing with real gusto his directives against materials that will enlighten young minds and ultimately help develop critical-thinking skills.

The following is from TizzyEnt (aka Michael McWhorter) whom I follow on Twitter. He makes a daily practice of calling out injustice and racism, and most of his material is quite compelling. See for yourself in the following.




It is doubtful that many people in Florida see themselves as the American Taliban, but I will be happy to hear from those who would challenge that assertion.


2 comments:

  1. Oh please, none of items you mention " encourage critical thinking" What are you talking about?

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    1. Are you sure you watched the video, Rodger? Having knowledge of people like Harriet Tubman and Hank Aaron and their accomplishments will without doubt help children to critically assess the routine bigotry that is part of American (and Canadian) life, as well as prompt them to read more about them and others as they get older. It is this kind of quest that seems to frighten people like DeSantis and his acolytes.

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