[lbo-talk] Review of Ed Reform Documentary

[James Leveque]

"In addition, *Waiting for Superman* promotes the idea that we are in a dire
war for US dominance in the world. The poster advertising the film shows a
nightmarish battlefield in stark grey, then a little white girl sitting at a
desk is dropped in the midst of it. The text: "The fate of our country won't
be decided on a battlefield. It will be determined in a classroom." This is
a common theme of the so-called reformers: we are at war with India and
China and we have to out-math them and crush them so that we can remain rich
and they can stay in the sweatshops. But really, who declared this war? When
did I as a teacher sign up as an officer in this war? And when did that 4th
grade girl become a soldier in it? I have nothing against the Chinese, the
Indians, or anyone else in the world -- I wish them well. Instead of this
Global Social Darwinist fantasy, perhaps we should be helping kids imagine a
world of global cooperation, sustainable economies, and equity."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-ayers-/an-inconvenient-superman-_b_716420.html

James