==California still has all the same issues.==
We weren't talking about California, the topic was Florida. That said, California's Governor is trying to solve those issues through policy, Florida's Governor is focused on being "anti-woke". Meanwhile, California has a Maternal Mortality Rate of 4/100k, Florida's is 22/100k [1]. One out of every 4,500 Florida women forced to carry a baby to term will die.
Interestingly, the 7 best states for K-12 education are all pretty "woke" [2]. Florida is ranked 33rd in math scores and 22nd in reading, maybe we should be looking to them for best practices rather than focusing one something completely unrelated to actually educating youth.
Edit to add: My state Illinois has much higher standard for students than Florida, which basically grades proficiency on a curve. Lowering the standards rather than the hard work of actually improving education.
"In Illinois, a student needs to earn a level of 4 or 5 to be considered proficient. In comparison, the rigor of Florida’s standards ranks 39th and 42nd, respectively, and a student only needs to earn a level 3 on the state assessment to be considered proficient." [3]
==treated as a racist in training by taking a million anti discrimination classes or be insulted by a class telling me to "sit in my shame".==
I've never had that feeling in a DEI class. I wonder why that is your reaction. It may be worth exploring why discussing equity makes you feel like you are losing something. Maybe you had a bad instructor?
==If the child is gay or transgender on their own, so be it. School should not be the realm to promote it or suggest it.==
This is the sex-ed argument all over again. If we don't mention underage sex, it doesn't exist. Talking about gay people doesn't turn someone gay. Banning books and regulating what teachers can teach/say doesn't seem like a solution to the problem you mentioned. It seems the same as mandating abstinence.
[1] https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/maternal-mortality-rate-by-state https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/maternal-mo...
[2] https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/education/prek-12 https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/education/p...
[3] https://capitolfax.com/wp-mobile.php?p=55412&more=1 https://capitolfax.com/wp-mobile.php?p=55412&more=1
> I specifically don't want to be treated as a racist in training by taking a million anti discrimination classes or be insulted by a class telling me to "sit in my shame".
it seems like this class your job had you take is a real source of trauma for you. While I think I know what someone would have meant by "sit in your shame" (they meant, if someone tells you something you said/did was offensive, just drop it, don't fight them on it), it's certainly not something you can expect white people who have never thought about any of this stuff to just nod their heads in agreement. it seems like the people doing the class are probably not well trained in how to do this kind of thing because if it leaves the students more hostile than when you started, that is likely counterproductive. But bigger picture, that you had a bad diversity class at your job is not the main issue as far as racism is concerned, it's the ongoing institutional racism itself that has a much more harmful effect on the actual victims. Like, someone told you to "sit in your shame", they didn't kneel on your neck until you were dead because they felt like it, or send you to prison for 12 years for filling out a form incorrectly. There's some proportionality to be considered here.
> In addition I don't want schools to have the power to treat kids as different genders and not alert the parents.
FOX News propaganda. this is not a thing
> Nor do I want teachers to be able to promote transgenderism or homosexuality as a viable option for kids.
transgenderism and homosexuality are not "options". you can't "decide" to be trans or gay. you are born that way. Surely, as someone who claims they have been a "liberal Democrat", you accept.... gay rights at least?
> School should not be the realm to promote it or suggest it.
FOX News propaganda. not a thing. Saying that "gay people exist" is not equivalent to "promoting it". If OTOH you think kids should be raised in complete ignorance that some people marry others of the same gender or wish to live their lives as other genders, then again, the "liberal Democrat" label really doesn't apply, that's a homophobic and bigoted opinion.
I don't watch Fox news.
New Hampshire school district says it will not disclose to parents if their kids come out as trans at school and will lie to them if need be.
https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/school-district-says-it-doesnt-have-to-tell-parents-about-childs-trans-identity-new-hampshire-manchester-msd-transgender-ideation-dysmorphia https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/school-di...
California school plans how to mislead parents and scolds parents for using wrong pronouns
https://kmph.com/amp/news/local/mom-scolds-california-school-for-allegedly-coaching-her-12-year-old-into-becoming-trans-spreckles-jessica-konen-transgender-lgbt-equality-clubs-teacher-student-gsa-gay-straight-alliance https://kmph.com/amp/news/local/mom-scolds-california-school...
I could go on and on with these.
I'm pro gay marriage and want trans people to be able to transition if they want. What I have no interest in is anyone presenting either as an acceptable option to my kids. If they end up gay, so be it ill love them the same but no one should be putting those thoughts in their heads.
I'm white but also a jew, as I said in another comment, I have had stones thrown at me as a kid for it. I would never want my coworkers to have to take classes on anti semitism because it assumes they are potential anti semites. That is insulting. I have had calm informative conversations over beers with open anti semites, I'm fine. It did not bother me in the least because I'm not fragile. People are entitled to their opinions, right or wrong.
Every one is entitled to live their lives and raise their kids as they see fit barring some rigidly defined abuse. Parents not some teacher making 35k a year are the ultimate decider in kids lives; to push for anything else is insane and gives government and random people with teaching certificates an unholy amount of power. You seem to want to police people's minds and demand that every one adhere to your world view or they are terrible people. Most people just want to live their lives and be left alone. We don't care about movements or reparations for things we had nothing to do with. Raise your kids how you want and everyone else can do the same.
This is not Iran, we don't need a morality police. America is and will continue to be the greatest country on earth because of individual freedom and our at least historical ability to agree to disagree with each other.
No examples from Florida, the state being discussed. The two "articles" you did provide are sourced from the same author at the same publication "The National Desk" (owned by Sinclair Broadcasting). One the sources they use is The Epoch Times, which is not a reputable publication. Interesting source material for a self-proclaimed "Democratic party voter".
==What I have no interest in is anyone presenting either as an acceptable option to my kids.==
The alternatives are (1) pretending it doesn't exist or (2) presenting is as an unacceptable option. Do you prefer to pretend it doesn't exist?
==I would never want my coworkers to have to take classes on anti semitism because it assumes they are potential anti semites. ==
I don't follow. Everyone is a potential anti-Semite. If you aren't then the class shouldn't bother you. It's the same as the "shame" exercise. If you have no shame about your actions, why would it bother you?
==You seem to want to police people's minds and demand that every one adhere to your world view or they are terrible people.==
By banning books and outlawing what teachers can teach?
==This is not Iran, we don't need a morality police.==
And yet, we have Ron DeSantis, your guy, saving us from things that weren't being taught to kids in the first place. I couldn't think of a better example of morality police.
Why would I need examples in florida, the entire reason I stated I am voting for Desantis is to prevent there being florida examples. What does them being from the same source matter? Are you saying they are invalid? If your chosen media outlet does not cover certain news is it not news?
"I don't follow. Everyone is a potential anti-Semite. If you aren't then the class shouldn't bother you. It's the same as the "shame" exercise. If you have no shame about your actions, why would it bother you?"
Your argument is basically "If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear"
I assume you are a proponent of stop and frisk. Everyone is a potential criminal, if they have nothing to hide then they should have nothing to fear from getting searched right?
The fact that you would defend being treated like a potential racist or antisemite is strange to me. Whats next? Everyone is a potential pedophile so everyone's web traffic should be monitored? You are on a slippery slope to 1984 but you think the people from the book in control are the good guys.
Banning books? Are there certain books that Desantis has made illegal to possess in Florida? Or are you just spouting nonsense to make removing certain books from schools seem nefarious? Can I stock the local elementary school with penthouse magazines? If you are answering no, then you are banning books. Of course teachers should not be able to teach whatever they want, to argue otherwise is insane. Are you good with teachers teaching the holocaust never happened or the bell curve? There is a curriculum for a reason.
You are parroting talking points you see on social media without exploring the topics any further.
Funny thing is I bet we follow a lot of the same left leaning people on twitter but the things they say have driven me to the right while you agree with them. I think most of the right wing social and traditional media personalities are idiots. My shift to the right has almost entirely been driven by the content of liberal twitter accounts and DEI classes I have had to take.
I have openly stated I think Desantis is a jerk and I disagree with many of his stances. On the points that are driving my vote I agree with him.
1. Not teaching homosexuality and transexuality as an option to school kids. This is not a topic for school.
2. Not treating white people as racist by default.
3. Not discriminating in anything by race
4. Not punishing people for the content of their minds
5. Parents are the ultimate deciders for their kids, the school has no say on what is best for them if it conflicts with the Parents wishes
This thread has gone on far to long, so calling the game. Lets agree, I'll vote however I want and treat everyone as if they are good by default and you vote for whoever you want and treat everyone as if they are suspected racists and anti-semites by default.
All the best to you and yours. I wish you a long and happy life.
==Democrats nicknamed it the "don't say gay" bill but that isn't its name, its goal, or its outcome.==
The actual bill language sure makes it seems like the goal, as it was written with ambiguous phrases like "age-appropriate" and "developmentally appropriate":
"Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards." [1]
==It's about the age appropriateness of the introduction to the topic.==
Is it? I'm pretty sure it is grandstanding:
"one of the key reasons critics cited in saying the law was unnecessary was that teachers do not cover such subjects in early grades anyway." [2]
Lawyers disagree with you that it is only about "age appropriateness of the introduction to the topic":
"Workshops about the law that her school district’s legal team held over the summer caused confusion. Some staff said they were told teachers in kindergarten through third grade could not display pride flags or photos of their same-sex spouses." [2]
Are you sure your news didn't "rename and reframe" it?
==Florida republicans protected women's sex-based rights by making male-bodied people play sports on men's teams and the news called it "denying transgirls their human rights to play sports".==
Protecting one group's rights by denying another group's rights, similar to women and fetuses.
==rather has the school hook the child up with hormones and body modification without the parent's knowledge.==
I would love to hear more about all these cases. Can you share?
==WonderWonder is thinking of their children, and how they'll be told they're racist - and to sit in their shame - just because of their race.==
No, they were mentioning their own experience in a DEI class.
[1] https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1089221657/dont-say-gay-florida-desantis https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1089221657/dont-say-gay-flori...
[2] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/dont-say-gay-law-brings-worry-confusion-to-florida-schools https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/dont-say-gay-law-brin...
> Protecting one group's rights by denying another group's rights
How were the males involved denied their rights by the school having them play sports on the men's team? The females involved sure lose their rights when males are allowed into their sports and spaces.
> I would love to hear more about all these cases. Can you share?
Lookup "Keffals" and "Hoogland transgender".
> Some staff said they were told teachers in kindergarten through third grade could not display [...]
If you're using something as a lead-in to a forbidden topic for your class's age range, it would be forbidden. Generally teachers should be like counsellors and keep their private life private so it shouldn't be a problem.
> Are you sure your news didn't "rename and reframe" it?
Yes, because even if it was as "bad" as you say, teacher's don't have a right to tell the kids whatever they want. Teachers are already recommended to not tell kids what religion they are, and until recently, what their politics are. This is about the kids, the teachers have a job to do.
== Lookup "Keffals" and "Hoogland transgender".==
2 Canadian cases that have nothing to do with American laws.
== If you're using something as a lead-in to a forbidden topic for your class's age range, it would be forbidden.==
I don't think displaying a picture of your family is "a lead-in to a forbidden topic". Feels like quite a stretch. I remember everyone of my teachers growing up had picture on their desk or on the wall. My son's teacher has them today.
== the teachers have a job to do. ==
We should let them do the job for which they studied and were hired. They are the experts in teaching, we should let them teach. How do you feel when people who know nothing about your industry tell you how to do your job?
> Canadian cases that have nothing to do with American laws
Do a search or watch LibsOfTikTok to see what's happening in the USA.
> I don't think displaying a picture of your family is "a lead-in to a forbidden topic".
It is if you're hoping to be asked about it. Watch the LoTT videos. Some of those teachers say they're just waiting for their kids to ask about anything queer-adjacent.
> We should let them do the job for which they studied and were hired.
Many parents are/were teachers and have equivalent education. They agree that schools bypassing parental safeguarding rules is unacceptable.
> How do you feel when people who know nothing about your industry tell you how to do your job?
Lol, you've met my manager I take it? But I actually like it though because I'm a consultant at heart and explaining and guiding is more important than pedantically providing what I was asked for. If the teachers were willing to explain their PoV maybe the parents would support their teaching but secrets can't be accepted.
> They are the experts in teaching, we should let them teach.
They're experts in phalloplasties and puberty blockers which is why we should give them secret and unfettered access to children?
The same people who want trans-identified male athletes in female sports and washrooms are saying exactly the same thing about child surgical transition, "All the science supports this". It's pretty hard to take them seriously when they say William Thomas has no advantage against female swimmers since he changed his name to Lia or that chemo drugs produce a perfectly reversible delay in puberty.
> Unlike homosexuality (LGB), talking about gender does turn people transgender
categorically false
> or rather has the school hook the child up with hormones and body modification without the parent's knowledge.
source? schoolteachers can prescribe medication and perform surgery? Are these teachers also MDs ? That would be unusual ? not to mention extremely illegal for teachers and doctors to treat children without the consent of their legal guardians? teachers can't even give kids a tylenol.
> WonderWonder is thinking of their children, and how they'll be told they're racist
the word "racist" in modern use refers to actions that are racist, such as voting for Ron DeSantis. It doesn't matter if in your heart you're racist or not, if you do racist things, whether you have any idea or not that those things are racist, that's what it means to "be a racist".
Absolutely, I agree, every black person that votes for DeSantis is 100% a racist. They are doing racist things. Or are we on board the "only white people can be racist" bus? Come on friend you are now policing peoples minds. You have labeled ~50% of the countries population as racist, a pretty serious accusation. This includes a good number of minorities. People have different priorities in life, not everything they do revolves around race. Essentially the people that cry racism the most are generally the racists feeling like they have to white knight for the poor oppressed minorities. The worst part is that they just cant see it, most openly racist people can at least acknowledge it. Black people can do just fine on their own they are not helpless children looking for a hero. And they can vote for whoever they want.
==Essentially the people that cry racism the most are generally the racists feeling like they have to white knight for the poor oppressed minorities. The worst part is that they just cant see it, most openly racist people can at least acknowledge it. Black people can do just fine on their own they are not helpless children looking for a hero.==
You are the only one who has made a claim about anyone being "helpless", but it's good to know that is immediately where your mind went. For someone who totally isn't racist, you seem to know exactly how racist people think.
> categorically false
Sadly, true. Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria as described in Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier. It's a social contagion.
Over 95% of transgender children, left to themselves, desist. Many realize they're gay/lesbian, the others are just fine too.
> schoolteachers can prescribe medication and perform surgery? [...] extremely illegal for teachers and doctors to treat children without the consent of their legal guardians?
Look at Mermaids and Keffals. People will send you hormones and breast binders even if they know you are underage and it is expressly against your parents' wishes. Teachers and counsellors often hook children up - LibsOfTikTok has videos of people admitting to this. Legal advocacy groups are telling teachers unions that they need to help keep this a secret from parents lest the child be forced to kill themselves.
> the word "racist" in modern use refers to actions that are racist
"In modern use" means "as we redefined it to win arguments".
> if you do racist things, whether you have any idea or not that those things are racist [...] such as voting for Ron DeSantis.
Thanks for the warning.
> People will send you hormones and breast binders even if they know you are underage and it is expressly against your parents' wishes.
sending hormones to children without medical professionals involved is illegal. do you know of teachers doing this? call the police. problem solved.
> Teachers and counsellors often hook children up
you're being very sloppy with your wording. "hook children up" means "giving drugs to children". not happening, if it is happening, call the police.
> LibsOfTikTok has videos of people admitting to this
then those people would be arrested
> Legal advocacy groups are telling teachers unions that they need to help keep this a secret from parents lest the child be forced to kill themselves.
you are confusing "giving drugs to kids" with the practice of teachers keeping confidential when a student verbally expresses to a teacher that they might want to identify of a different gender. Certainly, the latter point is still something that can make people upset, but that's all it is - the child says words to a teacher about how they feel emotionally about something, and the teacher /school is then given leeway to determine that they might not inform the parents if it is feared that the parents will retaliate towards the children. Be mad about that if you want but this is not "transitioning" anyone or "hooking up" anyone with drugs.
> "In modern use" means "as we redefined it to win arguments".
if you are "not a racist", but then you thought it was funny to go to a halloween party wearing blackface, you just did a racist thing. It doesnt matter what you thought in your mind. This is not controversial. if you showed up to a party like that, you practiced racism. nobody cares or need be concerned what you actually think in your mind. If a Nazi throws you in an oven, are you concerned if they are actually anti-Semitic or not?