San Diego teacher defines 'fascist' to class as 'whites,' 'heterosexuals,' and 'Christians'
(www.washingtonexaminer.com)
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Now, now, let's not jump to conclusions. Get this:
'"We were supposed to be learning how to make an argument for an argumentative essay," the student said. "And the first thing he turns to is that. Then, he just got to the definition of fascism and what he thinks. He put down the Nazi Party and the modern-day Republican Party, which is just ridiculous."'
I myself might use such a thesis in a class on argumentation. It provides the opportunity to research evidence for the claim and sure as shit would generate a substantial counter-claim. It would also encourage a competing definition of "fascism," illustrating the importance of stipulative and/or ostensive definitions. It may also serve as an illustration of the concept of argumentation as a method of arriving at truth.
Any arguments that raise blood-pressure and galvanize refutations can work very well as lessons in the rhetoric of argument and in recognizing bias in sources of researched information.
You might just as easily begin with a sample thesis coming from the Right.
How does the rest of the lesson on argumentation proceed, if at all? My guess is that the students complaining are providing only half the story. At least I hope so.
What you're describing here would be more in line with a formal debate or philosophy course.
This is a high school. Argumentative essays are very simplistic in that setting. You make a claim, explain the argument/provide evidence or examples to your claim for a few paragraphs, and then summarize and conclude. It's basically just getting your toes wet for researching, depending on the topic.
I hope the teacher followed through with a counter-claim at least, but I suppose these days anything goes in public schools.
When did you go to school, the 80s? Teachers are not to be questioned in Current Year schools, especially regarding the topic of politics. By the time they're in fourth grade, public school kids have already adopted an abused dog mindset: keep your head down, do what you're told, and hope your teacher isn't having a bad day and decides to take it out on you.
If a teacher says something, it's the truth. Regurgitate it come exam time or fail, and probably get accused of being a white supremacist.
This is only true of white students. Teachers are actually powerless in the face of belligerent black students.
Well, you're not wrong there. But those "students" aren't exactly itching to open a critical dialogue with their teacher either.
I was in HS from 75-78.
I taught composition and rhetoric in a few California universities and community colleges from 1997-2017. That's where my reply comes from.
I know the state of US public schools. Believe it or not there are some private Catholic schools that still teach without all the "social-emotional learning" BS and other woke indoctrination.
If home-schooling is not an option, I'd rather American kids be encouraged to believe Catholicism in the context of a real education rather than be force-fed the social justice catechism all the time in every subject.