We're Number One?

I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my country is all I know
I want to be with my family
People who understand me
I've got nowhere else to go

Jackson Browne

I’ve been wading around in the post-election pontificating and preaching—happily, I admit—for the past couple of days. What does it all mean? Eloquent editorials abound—and lots of folks seem to have an action plan, ranging from recommending personal favorites for the Cabinet to stopping by Wal-Mart for some extra ammo. Welcome to America.

My take on Education Stories of the Day: Frankly, I think the Obamas should find the best possible school, public or private, for their girls. They can’t buy a house in Fairfax County or other nearby suburbs where the public schools are excellent—so let’s not construe their decision on where to send the kids as a referendum on all public schools in the country.

My nominee for Secretary of Education? A name I’ve seen precisely nowhere: Dr. Pedro Noguera. And here is just one sample reason why. I saw Noguera speak once, and heard something much more than the usual policy-line, data-spouting, organizational-standard-bearing speeches I’ve heard from other could-be Secretaries or education leaders. He’s passionate. And a passion for equity and excellence in education would be welcome about now.

And one more thing. I was taken aback by this commentary, posted on Election Day by Matt Johnston on his blog, Going to the Mat.

I don't think Obama believes that the United States of America is the greatest nation ever on the Earth. Other Presidents, each one of them, to a man, believed that this is the greatest country ever--full stop. There was no equivocation, no doubts--I truly believe that each of those men really believed in the uniqueness of the United States and her place in the world and world history. I just don't think or believe that Obama believes in the fact that the United States is the greatest nation ever.

First, the obvious. There is no evidence that Barack Obama does not think America the greatest nation ever on earth. Nor is it a “fact” that we are the greatest nation—whatever that designation means. I’m sure that folks in, say, Sweden gripe about high taxes but tear up when they hear the national anthem as their hockey team takes the gold medal, and thank their lucky stars they were born in Sweden. Many people—in many nations—believe they live in the best country on earth, often for the reason Jackson Browne sings about: it’s about home, custom and family.

I spent some time traveling this summer, in Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands—three very interesting takes on modern governance and living. All three countries were appealing, in different ways, and I know their citizens believe they’re living good lives and are proud of their country’s history. It was fun to visit—but I was happy to come home, to my own history and customs.

I belong here. And although I love my country dearly, there are serious chinks in any claim to being the greatest nation—ever—on earth. We are a nation built on brilliant, transformative ideas and principles, but we have let many of those ideals tarnish. In education, we have lost focus on equality and justice, hoping that the marketplace could fix the shocking gap between haves and have-nots.

Few people would say that we have the best education system on earth—and the greatest nation ever ought to have a uniformly excellent and effective education system. Right? Just as the greatest nation on earth ought to have health care for every citizen, a thriving economy and an excellent reputation around the globe. Maybe we have a little work to do.

I hope I get a chance to help.

In the meantime, here’s a favorite quote from James Baldwin, in Notes from a Native Son. Put on some Springsteen and think good thoughts.

I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.

Comments

[Melissa B.]

As a Fairfax County Educator, I'd have to say that we, in many cases, are scraping along by reputation alone. The Obamas would be better-served to put the girls in one of the excellent DC private schools...aren't they in private school in Chicago, anyway? And who is this Matt Johnston character? If he's a teacher, he doesn't speak for moi! BTW, please don't forget Sx3 today...we have a VERY timely snap for ya!

[Nancy Flanagan]

Hey, Melissa. Thanks for checking in--I'll be over for my Sunday caption fun in a minute.

I know a handful of Fairfax County educators who say that there are lots of problems there--the cutthroat atmosphere vis-a-vis grades and AP classes, the myth that all Fairfax students are well off, and the mix of complacency and competition. I was using Fairfax as an example of what the Obamas could not choose (unlike other families who move to the D.C. area for positions in government). I could also have said Montgomery County--and now run the risk of insulting some other close-in suburb of D.C..

Fact is, they can either choose a D.C. public, charter or private school--but we shouldn't attach too much meaning to that decision. If they go private or charter, it doesn't mean that all public schools are terrible--the implication made by a few bloggers, the ones who generally refer to public schools as "government schools."

Matt Johnston has visited Teacher in a Strange Land before--and is always willing to converse reasonably on a variety of issues. He writes often about education, from a conservative viewpoint. I've some things from reading his blog--but was surprised to see him print something as unsubstantiated as the post I quoted. We'll see if he responds.

[Michelle Capen]

Hey Nancy,

I've seen Pedro speak once myself, and I spoke with him afterwards. He is definately passionate and a very intelligent man. I didn't get the impression he had much respect for teachers. I'm afraid we would once again be the whipping boys and girls of DoE under his leadership. Let's keep looking.

[John Norton]

Matt's retro commentary led me to a re-reading of Richard Hofstadter's essay, "The Paranoid Style in American Politics." Thanks, Matt. I needed that.

[TeachMoore]

I appreciate your suggestion of Dr. Noguera for Sec. of Ed. He would bring a very different perspective to that position. My personal preference is for someone with a strong background in practice as well as research, but that may be asking too much.

As for Matt Johnston's comment (and I agree he is usually a very thoughtful writer), he is voicing a widely-held view. Some go so far as to say we should support our nation unquestionably. I would hope we love it enough to both defend it and improve it.

[Powell DeGange]

I am writing to inform you of the boycott against the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.
We need progressive bloggers in the education field to get the word out on their blogs about the fight for justice in San Diego and the American Educational Research Association.

On July 10th, 2008, a coalition led by the San Diego labor movement and the LGBT community called for a boycott of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the host site for AERA' Annual Conference.

Manchester's Hyatt has brought the LGBT community UNITE HERE together to fight for equality for gay and lesbian couples and justice for the workers at his Hyatt hotel. Doug Manchester has a history working against both:

· Equality for lesbian and gay couples. Doug Manchester is one of the leading funders ($125,000) of Proposition 8, a California ballot initiative that discriminates against LGBT couples. The California LGBT community faces an extremely difficult fight to prevent an outright ban on their civil right to have legal recognition for same sex couples and equal protection for their families. While Hyatt may officially disavow Manchester's contributions to Proposition 8 as a personal choice, the fact remains that their multi-million dollar LGBT marketing efforts must be seen as little more than sheer hypocrisy when the revenue this marketing attracts is then funneled into efforts that bite the hand which feeds them. In such a situation, we always have the ability to choose not to feed them any longer.
· Justice for Manchester Hyatt workers. Manchester's Hyatt allegedly forces housekeepers to clean more rooms than housekeepers at other Hyatt hotels, including the other Hyatt hotel in San Diego. In 2006, housekeepers began lunch hour protests against working conditions in the hotel, saying that their daily room quota had been increased from 17 to 30 rooms per shift! We have no reason to believe that Manchester has made any workload reductions to address these protests. Across the hotel industry, increasing workloads have put a greater strain on housekeepers; work speedups have led to increasing injury rates. According to the Department of Labor, injury rates for hotel workers are 40% higher than the service sector average. Hotel housekeeper injuries are debilitating. Back injuries, housemaids' knee (bursitis), and shoulder pain can lead to permanent disability. Numerous studies have shown that unreasonable workloads are a serious occupational health issue; here are a few facts that highlight the severity of that problem:
In a recent survey of more than 600 hotel housekeepers in the U.S. and Canada, 91% said that they have suffered work-related pain. Of those who reported workplace pain:
_ 77% said their workplace pain interfered with routine activities.
_ Two out of every three workers visited their doctor to deal with workplace pain.
_ 66% took pain medication just to get through their daily quota.
(UNITE HERE survey results)

As stated above, it is also a fact that the California LGBT community faces an extremely difficult fight to prevent an outright ban on their civil right to have legal recognition for same sex couples and equal protection for their families. While Hyatt may officially disavow Manchester's contributions to Proposition 8 as a personal choice, the fact remains that their multi-million dollar LGBT marketing efforts must be seen as little more than sheer hypocrisy when the revenue this marketing attracts is then funneled into efforts that bite the hand which feeds them. In such a situation, we always have the ability to choose not to feed them any longer.

As a customer of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, AERA is caught in the middle of this contentious labor dispute. It is impossible to predict what will happen under these circumstances and the dispute will continue to escalate as will picketing, demonstrations and other actions outside of the hotel. As a large public association, it is imperative that the Conference be moved to a different venue so that it members who will not cross San Diego Labor Council sanctioned picket lines and stand for lgbt equality will be able to attend and the conference will enjoy full participation.
AERA and your regional associations have the ability to do the right thing and not patronize a business that fuels injustice and discrimination within our community. This has been a highly visible dispute and we encourage you to avoid the controversy and meet at an alternate venue. The American Association of Law Schools relocated their Annual Conference in January of 2009 out of the Manchester Grand Hyatt to another property to honor the boycott and not alienate members of their organization that may not be comfortable publicly violating a boycott called by hotel workers, community activists and leadership of the LGBT community. We urge you to stand with all those fighting against discrimination: San Diego's hotel workers, women, immigrants and LGBT community and honor the boycott.

For more information, please see the attached materials or visit the following websites:
http://www.jtdabbagian.com/2008/10/27/national-communication-association-lands-in-the-middle-of-laborgay-rights-dispute-as-members-plan-a-shadow-convention/ - When a group violates a boycott...
www.californiansagainsthate.com (an LGBT organization that is part of the boycott effort; this site includes numerous news articles and other media related to the boycott)
http://www.hotelworkersrising.org/media/Injury_Paper.pdf (a study by the hotel workers union, UNITE HERE, on the occupational health of housekeepers)
http://hotelworkersrising.org/media/HousekeepingFactSheet2.pdf (a fact sheet about hotel housekeepers)
You can also feel free to contact me at anytime

Powell DeGange
UNITE HERE local 30
Boycott Coordinator - Customer Information Committee
510 410 5154

[Annie Condron]

Nancy,

I think you've definitely got the message right. Why can't Obama love America without thinking that it's perfect? What's important is that he believes that American-in-reality can, one day, come close to meeting our idealized version of America. America has always been a country based on nearly impossible ideals that we keep trying to make a reality.