Improve education, save democracy

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This article was published 08/12/2023 (848 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“FOR everything which bars freedom and fullness of communication sets up barriers that divide human beings into sets and cliques, into antagonistic sects and factions, and thereby undermines the democratic way of life.” Nearly a century ago, eminent educational philosopher John Dewey espoused these words.

Dewey has become a globally recognized name in education circles as our modernized public schools have been significantly impacted by his foundational ideas on dialogical processes with youth. The need for young people to participate in decision-making on social issues is relevant now more than ever.

As we embark upon the early chapters of the 21st century, one cannot help but observe the regression of our trust in democratic structures and processes.

While all political systems are innately imperfect, we must cherish and continually expand upon our capacity to express individual and collective voice. Democracy is the rule of the people, and yet there is a perceived apathy to the threat of rising autocracy.

The majority of us are privileged to have never lived under the threat of totalitarianism, so perhaps it is unsurprising that we cannot fully grasp its significance.

The developments in the United States are a sombre reminder of the fragility of our social democracies.

There is a steady rise in the dehumanizing rhetoric in American politics as minority groups are routinely identified as lesser, sick, and/or immoral. We are incredibly susceptible to believing media disinformation, particularly if our convictions are motivated by fear or hatred.

Election denial, calls for violence, and campaigning on promises to expel “vermin” are autocratic attitudes that are alarmingly normalized.

We have a former United States president indicted on conspiracy to stage a coup against the Republic, a horrifying precedent now set in the American saga. As chief political allies and trading partners, Canada will undoubtedly be affected by the trajectory of the events south of our borders.

Consequently, we must be proactive to uphold our democratic values.

Cognizant of these inflamed circumstances, I heed parents, teachers, school leaders, and all concerned stakeholders to prioritize the learning of democratic values among our children and youth.

It is in this pivotal moment that we must engage in crucial conversations to ameliorate our polarizing political tensions. We need to humanize and engage with our adversaries, not categorically ostracize their perspectives.

In our school systems, we must facilitate learning on the historical atrocities of totalitarianism, explore the functions of our democratic processes, and generate solutions to establish an increasingly equitable global society.

There are myriad ways we can facilitate democratic educational principles with children and youth: Initiate a historical inquiry on ancient and modern democracies, discuss the tenets of Canada’s political parties, investigate the rise and impacts of political radicalism in the 20th century, or interrogate the inequities affecting our current systems.

There are limitless learning opportunities if we make conscientious efforts to begin the journey.

We all hold varying positions on a plethora of social topics. As such, we cannot expect to agree on every issue.

However, we need to continue cultivating a society premised on compassion, listening, and civil interaction. We are all human, we are all valued, and we can all grow and learn together. This is the essence of both healthy schools and a healthy democracy.

While we may not all agree on key issues, we can treat one another with love and respect. Living alongside a rich diversity of perspectives is a remarkable strength of Canada. These are sentiments that must be fostered with our upcoming generations to strengthen our democratic principles.

Our world is burdened with highly time sensitive issues, whether it is addressing our escalating ecological crisis, safeguarding our social democratic processes, or combatting discriminatory hate against our neighbours. There is much work to be done and we must engage in this work together.

In a society plagued with increased rhetoric of fear and hatred, now more than ever do we need to strengthen our community relationships. Education is unequivocally the vehicle to enact positive change. As such, let us exalt democracy education in our public schools to ensure a positive future for our youth.

Jordan Laidlaw is a teacher in Seven Oaks School Division and a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Administration at the University of Manitoba.