Like the David Matthews article, this article also discussed the importance of reinstating our faith in Public Education. Also, she uses the framework of “democracy being at stake” to frame her argument, but more so than Matthews, I feel her argument is particularly swaying and compelling. Less focused on the aspects of a “public” itself, Meir’s chapter hones in on the reasons why we need public education in particular (not just a public that functions correctly in general) for the medium to reinstate and keep our important values ongoing in the next generations.
My favorite part of the chapter is when Meier explicitly states that differences do exist in the world, but privatizing education, removing children from the necessity to explore and work out those differences, removes the development of the skills that a democracy thrives on. THIS is why, to Meier, a public education in particular is so necessary. As a side note, but a poignant one, she also mentions that reinforcing the idea that you can “buy” your way out of something inherently “right” oriented sends the exact OPPOSITE message than that of a democracy.
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Democracy takes work, it is not just this thing we "get to have" by virtue of being US citizens. We still have to work at it, and schools are one of the places that we get to practice.
ReplyDeleteI really like the points you make here, Mackenzie - particularly the last point, though I guess you are really reiterating Meier's point... it seems an especially important one.
this idea that it's not really okay to just opt out, or to buy your way out. You are, then, bailing not so much on your rights or priviliges (whichever it is), but on your obligations - to participate...
I think I wrote something similar in one of the comments I made when I was posting prior to the weekend. So, sorry if I am repeating myself.
anyway, I like the way you comment on, and the way you draw out certain points from, the Meier piece here, Mackenzie. Thanks.