To begin to answer this question, or move towards the more important question of what SHOULD be the purpose of public education in America, first we must start with what WAS the purpose of education in America. Thomas Jefferson, widely considered the most adamant supporter of public education among our country’s founders, proposed a two-track… Continue reading The Purpose of Public Education
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We Choose Truth
“The educator has the duty of not being neutral.” ― Paulo Freire Last month politicians in the Minnesota legislature introduced a bill titled the Academic Balance Bill. The stated objective of the bill is “Public education courses are not for the purpose of political, ideological, religious, or antireligious indoctrination” The bill requires “the school to provide… Continue reading We Choose Truth
A Requiem for John Brown: road map for 21st Century Abolition
“I, John Brown, am now quite certain, that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away, but with blood.” – John Brown Saturday marked the 158th anniversary of John Brown’s execution. The passionate and dedicated abolitionist believed that logic and moral arguments would not end the practice of slavery, that only… Continue reading A Requiem for John Brown: road map for 21st Century Abolition
Unmasking Whiteness: Trump, NFL, and Interest Convergence
To many, this weekend felt like a trip through the twilight zone. For months Colin Kaepernick and those he inspired endured the outrage of NFL fans who insisted they were disrespecting the military and the flag by not standing for the national anthem. Kaepernick, after meeting with Nate Boyer, modified his protest from sitting down… Continue reading Unmasking Whiteness: Trump, NFL, and Interest Convergence
Stop Lying! Tell the Truth About School Choice
It’s back to school. An exciting yet nerve-racking time, especially for families starting out at new schools. There are few decisions as important as where to send your child to school, but, sadly, the school choice debate does little to ease the nerves around that decision or help families navigate the minefield of failing schools.… Continue reading Stop Lying! Tell the Truth About School Choice
Are we listening now?
On Saturday night 40-year old Justine Damond called 911 to report a possible assault. When Minneapolis police showed up and met Justine in the alley it ended with her being shot and killed by Mohamed Noor a Black, Somali-American police officer. The aftermath of the tragedy has many struggling to make sense of the situation.… Continue reading Are we listening now?
Want a Better Minneapolis? Support $15 Now
The fight for $15 Now is getting more and more heated. This morning the Star Tribune ran this opinion piece by landlord and former city council member Steve Minn. In it he positions owning 1,000 units as being a small business owner which is hard to fathom as I sit at Maeves Coffee Shop, a… Continue reading Want a Better Minneapolis? Support $15 Now
