In honor of the Education Nation circus that's about to begin today---which I wrote about pretty passionately yesterday---I whipped up a little slide that I thought was appropriate.
Here it is:
(Image Credit: Oprah Winfrey by Cliff 1066, Licensed CC Attribution)
Many thanks to Anthony Cody---the mind behind Living in Dialogue---whose post titled OprahPaganda sparked my slide. Anthony's a pretty brilliant political thinker and edublogger whose writing about the Education Nation controversy should be required reading for anyone still working in schools.
At least she's DOING something! We all owe her a huge debt of gratitude. Come on people. Same with Gates. Folks, if we had their kind of money, what would we be doing? They are worried about OUR future even though theirs is secure. Wake up Everybody! They are the heros. They are the good ones.
Posted by: Tracy Strelser | November 06, 2010 at 04:15 PM
I think what she is brings to the table is awareness and dialogue through her show. Even if she isn't an expert, just getting the dialogue flowing and putting it on the air is enough to get people thinking about a solution.
Posted by: Trident Online University | March 07, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Yeah, but heres the thing, Trident: Oprahs not really promoting dialogue on her show. Shes presenting one narrow slice of the reform pie----the Rhee version---as if it is a proven solution. Whats worse is that shes ignoring other voices that are rightfully pointing out flaws in that slice.
Im not sure thats helpful---and Id go as far as to say that it is irresponsible and intentional.
Oprah is smart enough to see the flaws in the agenda that shes pushing herself. And if not, shes got a large enough staff that SOMEONE has told her that theres another side to the Rhee story. By not providing an equal forum for those dissenting voices, shes become a propagandist who is manipulating her audience.
Thats what frightens me.
Does any of this make sense?
Bill
Posted by: Bill Ferriter | March 07, 2011 at 06:52 PM