THE NEW INQUISITION: BURN THE HERETICS!
I Thought “Canceling”, Shaming, Humiliating, and Ostracizing People Were Petty, Intolerant, and Unacceptable Forms of Bullying?
David Barnhizer
Diminishing the Individual Through Critical Race Theory
Paul Rossi was fired from the Grace Church School for challenging the shift to Critical Race Theory-based teaching. He brings out the ways in which it undermines a student’s individualism, warning that CRT is “cheapening, it’s warping, it’s diminishing the individual.” Rossi’s description of his personal experience is absolutely frightening from a humanistic and free speech perspective. It demonstrates the extent and fanatical intensity of the repression that is taking place in many American institutions, and particularly our schools—K-12 through universities long thought of as our elite intellectual and moral leaders.
The sweeping scope of what is occurring is what I sought to show in the publication of the book,“Un-Canceling” America in 2021. All of the fundamental institutions and systems by which we communicate, compete, grow, learn and create are being undermined. The political censoring and punishing tool of Cancel Culture is consuming our educational systems, and it is real. As the numerous examples set out above and the 600 in “Un-Canceling” America demonstrate very clearly, the strategy is being used to compel agreement and silence, and its controllers are expanding its reach and societal penetration. It is a powerful tool for those who want to dismantle our nation and recreate it in a darker, bigoted, and repressive political image.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/crt-ideology-used-in-schools-degrades-the-individual-new-york-city-high-school-teacher_4357926.html. “CRT Ideology Used in Schools Degrades the Individual: NYC High School Teacher”, Masooma Haq and Jan Jekielek, 4/6/22.
“Paul Rossi says some level of societal indoctrination is inevitable in education, but when students are taught an explicit political ideology and prohibited from questioning those teachings, the results are damaging, the former teacher said. Rossi, who taught high school mathematics and persuasion at Grace Church School in Manhattan for 10 years, left the school in 2021 after publishing an essay titled “I Refuse to Stand By While My Students Are Indoctrinated” on the blog of former New York Times editor Bari Weiss.
“What was happening was explicitly a political indoctrination that was based around the idea of a moral imperative … a collective morality, which focused on certain maxims like ‘impact regardless of intent,'” Rossi said.” Students and faculty at Grace Church School were taught, and expected to abide by, the tenets of critical race theory (CRT). Rossi explained that white students and faculty were considered the “oppressor” group while nonwhite students and faculty were considered the “oppressed” group, and the oppressed had the moral high ground. The people in the oppressed group were allowed to say whatever they wanted to the so-called oppressors, but the oppressors were expected to remain silent, he said. This type of ideology is causing damage to students “because it’s cheapening, it’s warping, it’s diminishing the individual,” he said.
Rossi … said he initially embraced the school’s equity and diversity training as benevolent, but that he soon saw how destructive this type of indoctrination was and how it lacked objectivity and truth-seeking. He said there was an understanding that you could traumatize and harm someone else merely by sharing an opinion that was unwelcome or provocative. … Rossi provided an example of how CRT might be discussed.
“So, you [a white person] could profess to say that, ‘You know, no, I really try to treat people equally based on their personality or interactions,'” Rossi said. “And an anti-racist moral schema [would presuppose] ‘But no, actually your biases prevent you from behaving that way, and furthermore, you don’t even know what your biases are. You need to rely on the diversity, equity, and inclusion experts to tell you what those are, or for a person of color to “school” you or call you out in certain situations that you may not be aware of.’”
The intriguing and hypocritical fact is that we have witnessed extensive movements against on-line bullying of elementary and high school children due to the fact that it produces serious consequences, including a child’s sense of self worth, depression and even suicide. The following analysis offers some insightful perspectives on such matters.
“When we think of bullies, we think of the big angry kid on the playground pushing kids down, or the mean girl club making life hell for other girls who aren't part of their circle, but bullying has evolved and is more dangerous than ever before. Teen depression and suicide rates are very high, and so often people are shocked when they find out that a student committed suicide because of online bullying that they didn't even know was happening. A student being “canceled” can mean that they become a social leper, an outcast, unwelcome in any social circles.”
“Shame and stigma have always been a way to enforce social norms,” says James Hamblin, a writer for The Atlantic and a cancel-culture skeptic. … [O]ne of the problems with cancel culture is that allegations often spread before they’re inspected for truth. An accusation is made and instead of waiting for facts to emerge, it’s just assumed to be fact.” Canceling a student is a form of social bullying. … “Most people join in on the ostracism not because they really understand the 'crime' or believe the canceled individual is truly bad and irredeemable, but because they are following the crowd.” “Either they feel they must, in order to avoid being canceled themselves, or they simply believe second-hand information without investigating the situation themselves. https://www.teachermom101.com/2019/07/teaching-in-age-of-cancel-culture.html. “Teaching in the Age of Cancel Culture”, Kaily, 7/9/20.
“Walking on Eggshells”—At Least Sixty-Two Percent of Americans Generally, and 80% of People in the Arts, Are Afraid to Share Views
Ivan Pentchoukov reports on a study titled “Political Climate Preventing 62 Percent of Americans From Sharing Their Views”. The results are frightening. They reveal we are not only not communicating, but that we are reaching the point at which we are not able to communicate across the boundaries of the “otherness”, Identity allegiances, and self-interested narratives we have invented to define our positions. Pentchoukov writes:
“A growing number of Americans feel that the political climate is preventing them from sharing their views, according to a new survey by the Cato Institute. The institute surveyed 2,000 Americans and found that 62 percent are reluctant to share their views due to the political climate. … Emily Ekins, research fellow and director of polling at the Cato Institute, wrote about the survey. “[T]hese results are more consistent with a ‘walking on eggshells’ thesis that people increasingly fear a wide range of political views could offend others or negatively impact themselves.” Nearly a third of Americans said they’re afraid their political views may cost them their jobs or career opportunities.” “Political Climate Preventing 62 Percent of Americans From Sharing Their Views”, Ivan Pentchoukov, 7/23/20.
The fear of being canceled is pervasive.
“Nearly a third of Americans said they’re afraid their political views may cost them their jobs or career opportunities. A survey commissioned by ArtsProfessional magazine found that more than 80 percent of the 500 professionals thought that “workers in the arts and cultural sector who share controversial opinions risk being professionally ostracised. One said: “Our arts, culture, and indeed education sectors are supposed to be fearlessly free-thinking and open to a wide range of challenging views. However, they are now dominated by a monolithic politically correct class … This is slowly destroying our society and culture from the inside.” “80% of People in Arts Fear ‘Controversial Opinions’ Risk Professional Ostracism”, 2/22/20.
“White Privilege” appears to be widespread in San Diego
"San Diego teachers are [being] required to undergo “white privilege” training, in which they must accept that their supposed unconscious bias is perpetuating racial superstructures. … The teachers are compelled to acknowledge that they are living on land – i.e., the United States – that was stolen from Native Americans, according to Rufo’s report. … After that, the teachers are told they are racist and “upholding racist ideas, structures, and policies” and must commit to becoming “antiracist” in the classroom.” “San Diego school teachers must undergo ‘white privilege training,’ commit to being ‘antiracist’”, Bradford Betz, 12/6/20.
School Boards, Administrators, DEI “Experts”, and Even the Department of Justice and FBI Are Trying to Intimidate Parents
Condemning Parents as “Domestic Terrorists”. “Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a concentrated effort to target any threats of violence, intimidation, and harassment by parents toward school personnel. The announcement comes after a national association of school boards asked the Biden administration to take “extraordinary measures” to prevent alleged threats against school staff that the association said was coming from parents who oppose mask mandates and the teaching of critical race theory. … On Friday, October 22, 2021, the National School Boards Association issued an apology for some of the language in the letter sent to the Department of Justice, insisting that it did not intend to accuse parents who sought to exercise their First Amendment rights of free speech in challenging the actions and policies of school boards of being “domestic terrorists”. “Justice Department to Roll Out Measures Protecting School Staff From Parents Threatening Violence”, Ivan Pentchoukov, 10/4/21.
Although the DOJ and Department of Justice sought to downplay and even deny they are engaging in the types of surveillance and intimidation tactics described, indications are to the contrary.
“A whistleblower disclosed documents suggesting that the FBI is using its counterterrorism resources to investigate parents or individuals who threaten school board members, teachers, or other staff. … [A]n email by Carlton L. Peeples, who serves in the bureau’s Inspection Division, [said] that the Counterterrorism and Criminal Division “created a threat tag, EDUOFFICIALS, to track instances of related threats.” “We ask that your offices apply the threat tag to investigations and assessments of threats specifically directed against school board administrators, board members, teachers, and staff,” the email reads.” “FBI Whistleblower Claims DOJ Used Counterterrorism Tools Against Parents: Republicans: FBI spokesperson says bureau not 'in the business of investigating parents who speak out’”, Jack Phillips, 11/16/21.
Parents, Students, and Teachers Are Afraid to Speak Out
"Parents have the right, and you don't have to be afraid to speak against things like critical race theory," Quisha King stated. "A school in Beaverton, Oregon, is under fire for offering a club centered around sexuality, to elementary school children, and parents are outraged. "Just because I send them off to camp, does that mean that I don't get to have a say sure what they're doing when they go to camp?" King questioned. "No, I have a say in everything that they do because I am their parent.” Meanwhile, a Virginia school is also taking heat after it presented students with "privilege bingo," labeling males, military children, Christians, and heterosexual individuals as “privileged." … ”To me, that's a prime example of how college ideas, CRT, has seeped down to the K through 12 education around the educational realm, and it disturbs students," Carol Swain stated.” “Dr. Carol Swain at 'MisEducation of America Summit': 'Marxist' ideas seeping into all levels”, Bailee Hill, 1/20/22.
Many teachers and educational administrators in K-12 education are intimidated. As numerous examples offered here demonstrate, their jobs and even their careers are endangered if they “buck” the prevailing Woke/CRT/Radical Progressive orthodoxy. For students, incurring the wrath of a teacher acting as an authority figure with power over their grades and recommendations is something to be avoided, as is the potential for bullying by other students who have bought into the new orthodoxy.
Nor do I in any way blame the teachers, administrators, students, parents, government bureaucrats, or private sector workers or businesses for fearing the consequences. As I sought to make clear in my book “Un-Canceling” America by offering a comprehensive examination of what is occurring across a wide range of fronts and critical institutions—the “Cancelers” are intolerant. They are committed to not only punishing the direct objects of their vendettas and intolerance, but to crush anyone who doesn’t shun and ostracize their primary targets.
There are good reasons for teachers, school administrators and others to be afraid. But some people have stood up to the intense pressures created by not “going Woke”. These include teachers, administrators, and parents. Among them are Paul Rossi, Jennifer Tafuto, Peter Boghossian, Lilit Vanetsyan, Monica Gill, Maud Maron, Celeste Fiehler, Chris Arend, Shawntel Cooper, Laura Morris, Ramona Bessinger, Derrick Wilburn, Robynn Hora, Josiah Enyart, Michael Rectenwald, Carol Swain, Bob Woodson, William Jacobson, Eli Steele and Shelby Steele, Jennifer Sey, Tanner Cross, Xi Van Fleet, Amanda Wannagat, Voddie Bauchamp, Derrick Wilburn, Amy Gonzalez, Andrea Gross, Asra Nomani, Nicole Neilly, Quisha King, Bill Maher, Andrew Sullivan, Ania Paternostro and her daughter Nicole, and Andrew Gutmann. There are others, and there will be many more because, if we want to save our nation, we cannot afford to put up with the ideologues and fanatics who for the moment have seized control of our educational systems.
Virginia teacher says colleagues “afraid” to oppose critical race theory.
“Virginia teachers are rejecting critical race theory in schools, but few have spoken out for fear of losing their jobs. Lilit Vanetsyan, a teacher in Fairfax County, … says she is standing up for her students. "These children are the future of this country. And if you love this country, you will do anything and everything to stand up for the vulnerable population and that is our children.” "They cannot stand up for themselves. They cannot speak for themselves. They fear retaliation. It's up to us adults, parents, and teachers alike to come together and speak up for them for the sake of this country.” “Virginia teacher says colleagues 'afraid' to oppose critical race theory: Lilit Vanetsyan is taking a stand on behalf of her students, but says teachers fear they may lose their jobs if they speak out”, Amy Nelson, 6/10/21.
“Virginia advisory board calls for school district to fire teachers
if they criticize equity training”
“An advisory board for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) in Virginia recently called for teachers to be dismissed if they criticize – even in private – equity training, according to a Tuesday report. Keaira Jennings, … then appeared to call for teachers to be dismissed if they did not fully embrace diversity training. "If our teachers and staff cannot be open and willing to learn how to be culturally competent then they do not need to be in the classrooms any longer as they will only hinder the process and most impor-tantly cause irreparable harm to the vulnerable hearts and minds of our students," Jennings said. Jennings suggested that the district ought to bring in an "equity consultant" so that the district can "get it right this time.” “Virginia advisory board calls for school district to fire teachers if they criticize equity training: Jennings suggested that the district ought to bring in an “equity consultant” so that the district can “get it right this time.””, Bradford Betz, 3/30/21.
In Oregon: Radical teachers say opponents of anti-racist ideology should be punished like child abusers and fired
“[Oregon] teacher Katherine Watkins suggested that educators would be fired if they didn't "evolve" with the "anti-racist" trends moving through the school system. At one point, she indicated opponents of anti-racist ideology should be punished like child abusers are in the school system. … And so, as we fire the teachers who sexually abuse our children, we will be firing the teachers who do racist things to our children and traumatize them.” “Oregon teacher: White educators should be 'as bold' as Capitol rioters in anti-racism push: Beaverton schools said both teachers didn't speak for the district”, Sam Dorman, 4/22/21.
Parents are afraid of “not being seen as woke enough”
Bill Maher warns: ”There is something going on in the schools. ... These are the schools that funnel kids to Harvard -- and Harvard, you know, funnels them out to important parts of the media, television, government and they control a lot of how people think," Maher began. “[T]he biggest thing, I think, is the shift away from moral teaching from the parent to the school. "It used to be the school would be afraid of what the parent thought. Now the parent is afraid of going against what they're teaching in school -- even when they don't agree with it. That's a huge shift that we should stop and at least notice and debate and talk about, right?" Maher asked.
Atlantic staff writer Caitlin Flanagan responded. "When we have public schools, thousands and thousands of public schools, where parents are really afraid to challenge what's going on in the classroom, that's really a problem. That's really a serious problem in education.” New York Times columnist Bret Stephens argued that the problem is that the "distinction" is being lost between "education" and “indoctrination.” … One exposes you to ideas, the other makes you kind of a soldier in a given perspective. There's something kind of totalitarian about that. You're not producing independent thinkers, you're producing Red Guards.” “Maher sounds alarm on 'climate of fear' in US schools: Parents afraid of 'not being woke enough’: 'There is something going on in the schools,' Maher warned”, Joseph A. Wulfsohn, 3/27/21.
The Columbus Academy Responds to Parents Complaining
About Critical Race Theory by Expelling Their Children!
"Two Ohio mothers spoke out after their children were expelled from a private school due to the mothers pushing back against critical race theory. Columbus Academy is denying re-enrollment to several students, alleging that their mothers breached part of their contract by leading a public campaign against the school's purported attempt to "indoctrinate" students with left-wing ideas. "I feel like it is unfortunate that when you are speaking out and you are trying to say your truth, unfortunately, there are people who want to retaliate against you. In this case, they retaliated against our children, who are innocent," Andrea Gross said. … Gross and Gonzalez are co-organizers of the Pro CA Coalition, pushing against critical race theory being taught at Columbus Academy.
Gonzalez said: ”We tried, in the best way possible, to represent and speak up not only for our children but also our teachers.” The school, which includes pre-K through 12th grade students, effectively expelled two of Gross' children and one of Gonzalez’s. … [P]arents have reported being blindsided by racial content and encountering road blocks while seeking accountability from administrators.” “Ohio moms speak out after private school expels their children over critical race theory pushback: School says parents violated 'enrollment agreement’”, Joshua Q. Nelson, 7/7/21.
NYC’s Brearly School is Requiring Parents to Take Sensitivity Instruction and “Confront Your Privilege” Classes
“Private school parents pressured to become BLM activists, NYC dad says: Andrew Gutmann warns America won't 'survive teaching our children to hate their country and their history’”, Fox News Staff, 5/4/21.
“Andrew Gutmann shot to national attention after sending former New York Times editor Bari Weiss a scathing letter addressed to Brearley parents, saying the … institution’s "obsession with race must stop." "We already do a horrific job in this country teaching history, and now we're going to make that ten times worse, we're going to eradicate that," Gutmann warns in the new interview. "Our country doesn't survive not teaching history and civics, and it sure as hell doesn't survive teaching our children to hate their country and their history." Left-wing activism was the norm at the the school, according to Gutmann, who said family were pressured to "advocate for Black Lives Matter." Gutmann said his takeaway from the school's messaging was: "We want you, we want your daughter, from kindergarten to 12th grade, we want your family to be an activist." Gutmann described the pressure to conform as so intense that "if you just stay silent, you’re racist. You have to be an activist for that. If you’re not an activist for an antiracism initiative, for Black Lives Matter, for example, you are racist, you are a bad person, you are an oppressor, you are not doing the right thing."
Students Are Also Afraid
“Mom of Bullied Daughter Says California Schools Taught Kids to Be ‘Ashamed That We’re White’”, Brad Jones, 7/9/21.
“Celeste Fiehler says her daughter was bullied, called racial slurs, and beaten in middle school, and her children are now “ashamed that we’re white” due to “indoctrination” in the California school system. Fiehler, 40, is married with four children in the public school system and one in college. She is one of several local parents in La Quinta, California, who have spoken out against critical race theory (CRT) being taught in California schools.
Fiehler says her then 12-year-old daughter was bullied at school in the Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD). Fiehler says she was beaten at least six times. The bullies also allegedly followed her home from school every day for a year and hurled racial slurs at her, sometimes in Spanish, such as “stupid white girl,” “white Dora” (since she had bangs like the television character Dora the Explorer), and “rat.” … “They constantly texted her to kill herself,” Fiehler said. “My daughter tried to hang herself.” Fiehler says she went to district officials to put a stop to the bullying, but “the school did nothing,” despite a “zero tolerance” policy. She also claims she found out her daughter’s school counselor was the grandmother of the “head bully,” and the mother was a principal at one of the high schools.”
OMG! Were Students Really Being Given Palettes to Check Their Skin Color to Determine the Degree of Their “Privilege”?
“'This is child abuse, not education': Parent who pulled his daughter out of $43k-per-year NYC school over white privilege lessons reveals letter he sent to principal”, Keith Griffith and Rachel Sharp, dailymail.com, 4/25/21.
“Riverdale Country School parent Bion Bartning was also so upset with the ideologies being taught there that he pulled his children out of the school. Bartning, who is Mexican and Yaqui on one side and Jewish on the other, said he was shocked to learn that schoolchildren are being forced to label themselves as privileged or oppressed by skin color. 'I don't fit into any of those race buckets,' Bartning told the Post. 'I think it is wrong to be teaching kids these socially constructed race categories.' 'It's a destructive ideology, teaching children to be pessimistic and full of grievance rather than being optimistic and full of gratitude. It goes against all the values I was raised with, and there are many out there who feel as I do,' he said. Bartning said he had even encountered instances of children being given color palettes to match with their skin tone to assess their level of privilege.
The backlash against 'woke' ideology on race in New York's elite private schools is gaining momentum, with more parents coming forward to publicly speak out on the issue. … Parent Harvey Goldman said he pulled his daughter out of the … Heschel School after learning that the fourth-grader was being tutored on her 'white privilege'. … ’First and foremost, neither I, nor my child, have 'white privilege,' nor do we need to apologize for it,' Goldman wrote. 'Suggesting I do is insulting. Suggesting to my nine-year-old child she does is child abuse, not education.’"
Rossi Revisited: A Divided, Angry, and Fearful Society
Paul Rossi of the Grace Church School was chastised and shamed for speaking out.
“I was reprimanded for “acting like an independent agent of a set of principles or ideas or beliefs.” And I was told that by doing so, I failed to serve the “greater good and the higher truth.” The school’s director of studies added that my remarks could even constitute harassment. He further informed me that I had created “dissonance for vulnerable and unformed thinkers” and “neurological disturbance in students’ beings and systems.”… A few days later, the head of school ordered all high school advisors to read a public reprimand of my conduct out loud to every student in the school. It was a surreal experience, walking the halls alone and hearing the words emitting from each classroom.”
[Rossi describes the experience]“The head of Grace Church School school ordered all high school advisors to read a public reprimand of Rossi’s challenge to Critical Race Theory out loud to every student in the school. Then he was fired. Rossi explains: “Recently, I raised questions about this ideology at a mandatory, whites-only student and faculty Zoom meeting. … It was a bait-and-switch “self-care” seminar that labeled “objectivity,” “individualism,” “fear of open conflict” and even “a right to comfort” as characteristics of white supremacy. I doubted that these human attributes — many of them virtues reframed as vices — should be racialized in this way. [W]hen my questions were shared outside this forum, violating the school norm of confidentiality, I was informed by the head of the high school that my philosophical challenges had caused “harm” to students, given that these topics were “life and death matters, about people’s flesh and blood and bone.” “NYC teacher: We’re damaging kids with ‘Critical Race Theory’”, Paul Rossi, 4/13/21.