The Civics Trojan Horse - Schools To Become Training Ground For Woke Activism

In the competition for "wokest school system of all," Illinois just might be the winner. But be warned, parents in the other 49 states, it's coming for you too.

We've heard about the outrages in classrooms like California, Wisconsin, and Virginia. But "keep your eye on Illinois," Stanley Kurtz warns, because that's "where the woke has gone for broke -- and America may soon pay the price." 

For five years, liberals have been quietly laying the groundwork for this massive shift in the land of Lincoln. And now, after a half-decade of moving this under America's noses, they're ready to blowup whatever common-sense learning standards are left and replace them with a formalized level of extremism no one has ever seen.

It all gets off the ground, Kurtz explained, with the state's "Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards" that's up for ratification in the general assembly on February 16. If it passes, he warned on "Washington Watch," "Illinois is about to turn its entire K-12 system into a leftist indoctrination camp." 

Now, maybe some of you are thinking, "Come on. It can't be that bad." It can, and it is. "Illinois is literally about to mandate that every one of its teachers adopt progressive political orthodoxy and impart that ideology to students." And whoever doesn't will lose their license.

"This is literally written into the standards," Kurtz told listeners. "Teachers have to be willing to endorse the idea that America is a systemically racist country. Crucially for Christians, they have to be willing to affirm the gender identities of any of their students and to affirm the very idea that gender is complex and fluid, meaning there are many more than two gender identities. 

They have to be willing to lead their students in political leftist protests and lobbying. They are encouraged to consider grading their students -- not on their performance, on ordinary knowledge -- but on their social justice activism." If teachers don't do those things, "well, then... the new standards make it very easy for any district that would want to force a teacher into therapy to help them eliminate their whiteness."

One of the ways these leftist activists have gotten so far with this is because they use terms that sound good -- like "action civics." "It's very important that your listeners understand this," Kurtz urged, "because theyre going to hear a lot of proposals at the state and federal level to encourage the teaching of 'civics.'" 

But these aren't your grandparents' civics. Liberals aren't suddenly suggesting that we teach about the three branches of government, federalism, and the Constitution. "Action civics" is a requirement for students to become "de facto community organizers," protesting and lobbying for leftist causes. "So, when you hear a proposal to increase civics," Kurtz warned parents, "you better look into it more carefully."

If you're thinking, "I live in a red state. There's no way this kind of radicalism could come to a conservative district like mine," think again. All you have to do is look at Joe Biden's radical appointments to the Department of Education to realize there's no containing this agenda. 

The men and women he's nominated are rabid activists who will look for any opportunity to impose this on the country. Not to mention, Kurtz says, that there are national groups planning right now -- within the next month or six weeks -- to introduce proposals for civics laws just like this across the country. Their whole goal is to crush any resistance on the part of conservatives who don't want to teach an un-American liberal philosophy.

So what can parents and others do? If you're in the state of Illinois, contact your state representative today and voice your opposition. On the national stage, this battle is going to keep playing out. Pay attention to it. Engage in it, especially if it threatens your area. Consider running for the local school board. 

Most importantly, consider the educational options for your children. The public schools, even in good conservative states, are becoming a battleground for the minds, hearts, and souls of our children. It's fine to complain about that on Facebook, but we need to take action too.

Maybe you need to consider homeschooling your son or daughter. Maybe you need to send them to a private school and make some other sacrifices financially. The reality is, you're not going to have your kids for long. And if they're indoctrinated by the world, you're probably not going to have them at all. 

Make that investment in teaching your children. As the scripture says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." That's one of the greatest responsibilities we have as parents, and it is one of the most important things that we can undertake as Christian citizens for the next generation.

For resources on making the switch, check out websites like Mom Possible from the Homeschooling Legal Defense Association. Learn how you can take a five quick steps to find your footing, get in touch with a homeschooling mentor, or scroll through the resources. Check out websites like Reimagine Education, where you can watch dozens of videos on everything from making a game plan to managing your time to dealing with special needs. 

As a homeschooling family, I can tell you that it takes adjustments, and there are challenges. But the end rewards are more than worth it.

Originally published at Family Research Council - reposted with permission.