Apolitical Teaching in the Age of Trump

Adam Gold
Adam Gold
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

As a public school teacher of US history, I’m always careful to share what could be perceived as a political opinion. I want to be apolitical so I can share all credible sides to a historical argument and encourage my students to make their own decisions based on their own personal values and political perspectives. In recent weeks, however, I’ve been having trouble staying quiet, especially after hearing President Trump’s tone-deaf statements on the Charlottesville protests that spent more time bragging about his own economic “accomplishments” than it did condemning the behavior of white supremacists. It is not about politics or party, policymaking or governing. I could easily make an argument in my classroom that all of his “accomplishments” are worth celebrating, but I would do so at another time. My deep concern is with the consistent validation of racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, and other ignorant and offensive behaviors that is made possible by this president from his words and actions from the beginning of his campaign through his governing now from the Oval Office. This does not mean I think he embodies all or any of those traits, but it does mean that people who do share those traits have felt more comfortable expressing themselves aggressively during the Trump Era.

And without recognition by the president for having validated these behaviors by what he says and doesn’t say, the behaviors will persist and become even more attractive to those looking for how to better understand the world, including our students. Even Ben Shaprio, conservative commentator, has been critical of Trump’s inability to call out those deserving of condemnation. He tweeted: “And leadership in media and especially the White House must actively and thunderously condemn the evil we’re watching metastasize.” He did place blame at Trump’s feet, blame that the president must accept in a self-aware and productive manner.

Now, while his approval ratings remain in the low 30s, it is time for the President to use his favorite strategy and humiliate those who think he represents their ignorant and offensive values. Figuring out how he does that best comes with a discussion of politics and party, policymaking and governing, and so that’s where my post will end.

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