Reaction+to+Joel+Westhimer's+...

Thomas D. Monteverde Social Foundations Prof. Dean 2 March 2009

__Reaction to Joel Westheimer's “Politics and Patriotism in Education” and Diane Ravich's “Celebrating America__ ” Patriotism in the public education system has become a contentious issue in current American politics. In recent years there has been an impassioned debate over what is in fact considered an expression of patriotism. The public education system has been placed at the front line of this debate and as a result some teachers have become casualties. A teacher's personal definition and expression of patriotism could adversely affect their career in particular political climates. The subtle degree of difference between the contending opinions regarding the meaning of patriotism has caused confusion over what expressions are thought to be patriotic. According to __The American Heritage Dictionary__ the definition of patriotism is love of and devotion to one's country. This definition is ambiguous. How does someone express love and devotion to one's country. Is patriotism expressed through obedience or through dissent. Joel Westheimer disaggregated the copious definitions of patriotism into two umbrella categories in his book __Pledging Allegiance: The Politics of Patriotism in American Schools__. The first category he describes is Authoritarian Patriotism which is the resigning of one's will, right of choice, and need to understand to the authority; its emotional base is gratitude for having been liberated from the burden of democratic responsibility. Authoritarian patriotism is generally promoted by a centralized leader or leading group because they commonly view criticism as dangerous and subversive. The New York City Board of Education demonstration of “unqualified allegiance” and the distribution of “Patriotism and You” by the Committee for Citizen Awareness were examples used to show the application of authoritarian patriotism in the public education system. This expression of patriotism rewards obedience to authority and punishes dissent. The second category he described is Democratic Patriotism which is the act of being true and loyal not to the government, but to the principles which underlie democracy. Francis Bellamy who authored the __Pledge of Allegiance__ was given as an example of democratic patriotism for expressing love of his country while criticizing the United States trend of unrestrained capitalism and growing individualism at the end of the 19 th century. Katherine Lee Bates and Emma Lazarus were also given as people who exemplified democratic patriotism because they asserted their patriotism by strongly proclaiming beliefs in democratic values. Democratic Patriotism has come under attack in the last decade due to the a fear of terrorism and the United States involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Joel Westheimer also discussed the increase in authoritarian patriotism in American schools and it's affect on teachers and students. The series of events involving five New Mexico teachers which were either suspended or disciplined for promoting discussions which lead to some students voicing anti-war sentiments was an example of how authoritarian patriotism is affecting public education. One excuse for these reactions is that patriotism when in the public school system should remain above partisan politics, but this leaves little space for dissent and criticism against government policies. In conclusion Westheimer believes that in order to prepare students to be active citizens, teachers must teach students to debate controversial issues and to criticize governmental policies that they feel are wrong. Joel Westheimer's assertion that teachers must teach in a way to promote democratic patriotism is correct. Public education serves the state. A democratic government benefits from the education of it citizens more than any other part of society. An investment in the future benefits the stablest institution and while families can dissolve the government remains. The students of public education should be educated in accordance to the laws of the government and taught to become active participants in a democratic society. Political criticism and debate of contentious issues is a necessary part of active citizenship. The argument that patriotism in public schools should remain above partisan politics is ridiculous. Partisan politics is a crucial part of our democracy. The government is predisposed to maintain the existing condition of the state and therefore when acting as an authority will attempt to quell dissent and criticism. Government acting as authority over education will create blindly obedient citizens who are more fit to live under tyranny then in a free society. If placed in a position of authority over public education government will act in spite of itself. The responsibility of educating the youth of America should be placed in the hands of capable citizens who will teach students to question government and fight for democratic values. These people should be appointed by the government but should have minimal restraint regarding curriculum. An increase in authoritarian patriotism is suffocating the public education system, but a decline in national pride has also become apparent. Diane Ravitch in “Celebrating America” expressed her concern that national pride is almost nonexistent in education today. The current belief is that children's self-esteem is firmly linked to a positive relationship to their ancestral culture. The focus of education on ancestral culture has diverted attention away from the nation in which we live. Diane Ravitch argues that the culture in which a child lives and which in one day raise a family, earn a living and participate in elections can also be positively linked to children's self-esteem. Diane Ravitch does concede that teaching patriotism as jingoistic, uncritical self-praise would be indoctrination rather than education and that if teaching patriotism degenerates to a mandate for conformity then it has failed in teaching the values embedded in the declaration of independence and the constitution, but if we teach civic education and define patriotism as a respectful understanding and appreciation of the principles then students will learn to value the nation of which they are citizens. Diane Ravitch concludes that depriving students of an education that allows them to see themselves as a part of this land, it's history and culture would be a shame. Diane Ravitch's was compendious in her expression of her feelings regarding public educations role in teaching patriotism. Encouraging students to feel apart of the nation in which they live is essential to developing equality and a feeling of unity in the classroom. Students should feel proud of their ancestors and curriculum should celebrate the diversity of the students in the classroom, but focusing on the history and culture of the nation in which all members of the class are a part would create an environment of brother and sisterhood in which each student realizes the special relationship they share with each other as citizens of the same nation. This acknowledgment of equality would further develop students self-esteem as well their respect for the government and community in which they will become active members. Joel Westheimer and Diane Ravitch share the opinion that patriotism should be taught in the classroom, but differ in opinion of the social role that patriotism should play. Students should not be censored for disagreeing with governmental policy and should be allowed to practice active citizenship within the classroom. A goal of United State's public education is to create a general population that is intellectually capable to contribute to a democratic government. However it should also be the role of public education to instill a feeling of reverence and respect in students for the principles and institutions of the nation for which there are to become active members.