The Public education system, in my opinion, has always been a long and difficult process to what it is currently. Even now, we have numerous issues in the whole system which are not yet resolved. For now, let us stick on the first chapter of the book to try to get an understanding. At the beginning of the book, we can see the diversity in the public schools and the huge obstacles many had to endure to get enrolled in public schools. One of the many problems was one’s religious beliefs and how that correlates with indoctrination. Many native Indians had to give him their culture and language before being accepted in public schools. From there, like any sort of indoctrination process, they were taught to think, talk and believe as they did. One good example is the protest of Bishop Hughes who argued that Irish Catholics should not give up their own religion just, so they can get into school. Riots broke out into the streets from all over the nation between the Protestants and Catholics. The riot in Boston, Massachusetts around 1864 was a perfect example; many Catholic churches were burned down.
Thomas Jefferson once said, “Preach a crusade against ignorance”. At the time I believe he was referring that certain individuals within the society had to be educated before being part of the community. However, I find his words to be hypocritical and not coherent when it comes to providing education to the nation. In his own words, he mentions that slaves and black people, in general, should not be allowed to read and write because it was too dangerous. How can one preach the gospel about God and start a crusade against ignorance, when at the same time exclude a whole race?
Former Slave, Frederick Douglass mentions that children did not have accessibility to good schools in their neighborhood. Many black children had to travel a long distance to go to school, especially when schools were limited for black people in general.
When we talk about democracy today, we envision all people of color to participate and vote for incremental reforms. However, in those days, democracy did not apply to all, especially Native Indians, black people, and women. Little girls and grown female adults in many ways were excluded from going to public schools and even get a job. Women were not considered to be genius or capable to be scholars and play role in the education system. Though many teachers were predominately females, they really had no voice to make changes in the public sector.
3 comments:
I think that the hardships that people went through to obtain education in the 1700s are the reason why today we have the luxury of being equal and getting the opportunity of obtaining education regardless of who we are. It also motivates us to seek education and knowledge with our full energy because others were not given the same opportunities.
Cesar,
We have certainly come a long way with education that’s for sure. We went from a place where people had to give up their beliefs to attend public school to a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds, and religions in the public school system now.
On a side note, I really like how you used a picture of Douglas and Jefferson to basically introduce the quotes. A very nice touch.
- John
Cesar,
Thanks for connecting the conflicts and fight for access to education to both "indoctrination" and "democracy". You do a good job in pointing out the discrepancy (even "hypocrisy") between the ideas and ideals of words and the actual implementation of those concepts into practice. And then, the shaping over time of the actual implementation and practice of public schools through debate, conflict, struggle, and even violence (your examples are good). Your use of Jefferson and Douglass are a perfect way to show the passion, eloquence, and even genius of two "founding leaders" who were from very different positions of privilege but who had tremendous impact on the formation and development of the nation and our public schools. I like the pictures too.
Professor Knauer
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