General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPublic Schools Create Citizens In A Democratic Society
How do you get people who hate each other learn to resolve their differences democratically? How do you get them to believe in ballots not bullets?
What if the answer is public schools and the evidence for it is in our own history during the first half of the twentieth century?
In the years spanning about 1890-1930, two institutionspublic schools and the foreign language presshelped generate this trust among the massive wave of eastern and southern European immigrants who came to the U.S. during that time. This is not a traditional melting pot story but rather an examination of a dynamic educational process.
The majority of these immigrants were dramatically different from the native born Americans they encountered here. Most immigrants knew no English, worshipped at synagogues or Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches, and had little knowledge of democracy. Many native born Americans viewed this invasion of immigrants as akin to the onslaught of the barbarians who destroyed Rome. Indeed, some argued that these newcomers were genetically incapable of becoming Americans.
more . . . http://shankerblog.org/?p=5172
xchrom
(108,903 posts)AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)Some people, with more money and power than what we ever will have, actually have contempt for democracy. They are seeking to destroy the public school systems and make even more money while doing so.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)libtodeath
(2,888 posts)cant allow for educated thinkers because once that happens they become progressives.
Women must be kept at home and the public stupid enough to believe in the fairy tale of the american dream.