UPDATE #2: I’ve received a response from the Loudoun County Admin explaining who chose this textbook, when, and why:
Attached you will find the information you requested:
- The Information Item presented to the School Board in 2003 when this book was adopted–which contains the committee rationale for the choice;
- The list of schools from which teachers and administrators were drawn to serve on the adoption committee. You will also see that there were parents from the community on the committee;
- The School Board Policy 5-19, which outlines the official process of textbook adoption. This policy was followed in 2003 when the choice was made.
View PDF file with detailed information: LCPS12thgradetext
My understanding is basically there’s a committee that chooses the textbook and then the school board approves it. In this case, it happened in 2003. What I find most interesting is that in the committee rationale for the choice, the first reason was that “the text is current and BALANCED IN ITS PRESENTATIONS.” I hardly found the wording to be “balanced,” but you can be the judge of that.
UPDATE: After talking to a friend, I think it’s important to note that we can speculate on the bias and racism in much of the wording in this text, but I think one quote from the textbook that we should really be talking about is: “Still, unlike whites, African Americans live with the consequences of America’s history of racial discrimination every day of their lives.” With that in mind, enjoy the post!
I always hear stories about public school “liberal” indoctrination, well here is one I’ve stumbled upon and want to share with you. BUT, this time I’ll call it “racial indoctrination,” you’ll see why. In Loudoun County Public Schools they use a textbook called “Magruder’s American Government” for their 12th grade US Government course, at-least in Broad Run High School. Let’s take a look at a few excerpts of interest:
“White Americans have been historically reluctant to yield to nonwhite Americans a full and equal place in the social, economic, and political life of this nation.” Well that problem is solved, we have a black President!
“The white-male-dominated power structure has also been slow to recognize the claims of women to a full and equal place in American society.” White-male-dominated power structure? Hmmm, again, that explains the black President who leads this nation? They have been slow to recognize the claims of women to a full and equal place in American society? Interesting, has the power structure completed recognizing those claims yet? A female at my place of work claims to be my boss, but that racist white-male-dominated power structure sure has been slow to recognize that.
“Most of the gains the nation has made in translating the Constitution’s guarantees of equality into a reality for all persons have come out of the efforts made by…African Americans” Ever hear of Abraham Lincoln? He had a little something to do with that. Read some history and you’ll learn about many other white people who were involved in the effort as well (That’s your homework for this week).
“America is now an inescapably multiracial society.” Uh-Oh, sorry you racist white people, it’s inescapable now! That statement is extremely dumb and pointless…sorry, just gotta say that.
“Still, unlike whites, African Americans live with the consequences of America’s history of racial discrimination every day of their lives.” REALLY!?! This reminds me of the video “White Privilege” …and all I need to do is show you Doc Thompson’s awesome response, “Black Privilege.”
“Of course, this is not to say that other groups of Americans have not also suffered the effects of discrimination. Clearly, many have” Like white people. Jeez, it’s OK to point out that racism goes in the other direction too.
Many of you are probably furious that this is part of High School curriculum in Loudoun and who knows where else. One parent told me how appalled she was, saying, “I couldn’t believe how slanted this passage was, education should be non biased. This is just unacceptable.” I think many others agree with this concerned parent who has a child in the public education system. Now do you understand why I call this racial indoctrination? I find it unbelievable that this is what they are feeding the minds of our nation’s youth. What are your thoughts? Comment below.
“Magruder’s American Government” published by Prentice Hall is currently being used in Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. That’s the same school system I used to be in, but this information was passed on to me by a parent whose child showed it to her after reading those absurd portions of text.
I will being reaching out to the school board for comment and will read more of the textbook to see if there’s anything else interesting. I will keep y’all updated! Please pass this on!
Are you upset with this textbook choice? Feel free to tell the local school board: Click here.
God bless!
PS- I feel the need to point out that I am white and I am not racist. I love all people and believe that all men (and women) are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these rights are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. (<-That last part is adapted from an important document in American history, I wonder how many high school students would recognize it???)
http://jthmishmash.com/2013/04/17/public-high-school-racial-indoctr...
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