Congratulations on having a life filled with diversity none of which
provides you with a basis to make a decision on home schooling. Now would
you mind actually trying to answer the question I posed? Your post
assumes that people without your back ground can not be a non-bigoted as
you. In fact after reading this, it is seems that you have a very bigoted
opinion of home schoolers and no basis on which to form that
opinion. Bigots usually make judgements about another race, ethnic
group, religious group without ever experiencing, researching or
participating in dialogues with people from those groups. Much like you
are presenting yourself when it comes to home schooling. Your logic seems
to be that the only way to experience diversity is through public
schools. Let me list a few things that home schoolers I have know have
participated in
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Habitat for Humanity in three different states
3rd world country relief efforts (actually going to the countries not just
sending money)
Public Theater productions
Public Vocal and instrumental recitals
Little League Baseball
Armature Soccer
Armature Football
Relief Kitchens which feed the poor and homeless
Volunteering in Homeless shelters and training programs
Book Clubs
Writing Clubs
Lego Mindstorms tournaments
Tutoring underprivileged kids
Church groups
Classes at the local junior college and remote campus colleges
Productions at the local high school
I could go on but this should suffice. Tell me, which of these activities
are bigoted or racist? Why would people who are brought up as bigots,
racists, and/or homophobes participate in these activities?
From these various activities and yes from the environment which
encourages kids to participate in such activities can one not gain as much
insight into race, diversity, cultural differences as your public school
and military background? Does your determination that home schooling is
bad apply to people who take college courses on line to finish a
degree. They certainly are not participating in a diverse college level
community. Many groups around the world that teach children through
religious schools do not support diversity. Yet these children are in
groups with other children. Can it not be the case that it is the teacher,
the curriculum and the administration which is causing the problem with
these schools? If that is the case then would not home schooling be a
better option than public or religious schools?
Again, you are condeming an entire educational option based on your own
illogical beliefs which have no basis in fact other than you feel you
turned out all-right from your multi-cultural background. You do not
allow for others to "turn out alright" while having a different
background. And that is the classic example of a bigot. Am I calling you
a bigot....of course not. It is your word to describe what you feel the
result of a home school education will most likely be. But are you not
showing the same result that you so fear from others?
Alan Wyne
At 04:50 PM 8/31/2004, you wrote:
>Hi Alan,
>
>I learned a lot from living in different environment. This allow me to
>see first hand the fear/hate that comes from teaching a child that
>difference is evil. I learned a lot during four years in the military.
>I have lived in some very segregated communities, for example, I attended
>school in Abilene, Texas from the first to the third grade. Abilene was
>a very segregated community. I also attended grade school in Baird,
>Texas from the fourth to the eight grades. At that time, Baird, Texas is
>a ranching town of about 2,800, and Baird was absent a black community.
>I saw the burning crosses of the KKK on hot summer night in a pasture
>pastures just off interstate 20, between Baird and Putnam. Baird and
>Putnam are 11 miles apart on interstate 20. I have heard the stories
>about Hiko, Texas which is said to be KKK headquarters.
>
>During my early pre-school days in Denton, Texas, I was raised by a black
>maid who was more a mother to me that my own mom. What sarrow it was
>saying goodby to her, when I was moved to Abilene, Texas.
>
>During the military I bunked with a black soldier who became my best
>friend. I watched the wall of racial discrimination come down during the
>era of Martin Luther King. The 60s were good years. I worked and fought
>along side black soldier during the Vietnam war.
>
>When living in Dallas, Texas, I watch Jerry LeVias play football for SMU.
>He was the first black athlete to gain entrance into professional
>football. What an exciting football player he was, and what a shock it
>was moving form Baird, Texas to Dallas, Texas. My Dallas Jounior High
>and High School had a population about the size of Baird, Texas.
>
>Given this experience allows me a kind of insight upon which I can base a
>judgment as to the value of a board exposure to diversity. I fear a
>child that is schooled at home, misses a wonderful education that can
>only be learned by associating with other children from many different
>backgrounds.
>
>When you put aside all the fear/hate and Stereotyping of bigotry, you
>will learn the lesson; "we are all the same". Physical we all have two
>eyes, two legs, five fingers, etc. But we are not only the same
>physically, we are the same emotionally. We all respond the same to
>situation that make us laugh, cry, fear, rejoice. The same thing that
>make me laugh would make you laugh, regardless of race. Fundamentally,
>we are all the same.
>
>I have learned to ignore the lies of bigotry that focus on our
>differences. There are no fundamental differences. I focus on our
>similarities, both physically and emotionally. I learned these lesson
>long ago, before I even attended first grade, so I am not vulnerable to a
>society or community that teaches the lie of hate/fear, discrimination,
>and prejudice; because, the lie can only be perpetuated in an atmosphere
>of segregation. The lie become obvious once the student learns the
>lesson that their hate/fear are not real. This requires the wall of
>limited outside exposure be removed and the avenues to all ethics,
>religions, nationalities, and governments be opened to the student. Once
>the wall of segregation are removed, and we see we are all the same, the
>hate/fear is transformed into its stronger opposite.
>
>Regards,
>
>LelandJ
>
>==============Original message text===============
>On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 2:51:26 pm CDT Alan Wyne wrote:
>
>two things.
>
>1) a parent is the prime or at least should be the prime influence on a
>child until they mature enough to begin making their own decisions. At
>that time external influences should begin to help the child grow
>2) What makes you think that home schoolers as a group currently adversely
>effect their children in the manner you list here? Personal experience,
>statistics, psychological profiles, common sense....what?
>
>Alan Wyne
>
>At 02:33 PM 8/31/2004, you wrote:
> >Hi John,
> >
> >If you are the only connection your children have to the outside world;
> >because, you provided their entire education at home and otherwise limit
> >their experience to diversity, your children will have the same views
> >which you expressed in your post.
> >
> >They would be so influenced by you and your wife, as the sole exposure to
> >the world, that I could know you by getting to know your child; because,
> >you and your children would be exactly alike in belief systems. Your
> >children would have exactly the same view of the world as you, the same
> >likes, dislikes, prejudices for or against whatever you are for or
> >against, etc. A child's identity should not be forced upon him, it
> >should be acquired as the result of the children's own experiences out in
> >the real world, and the more diversity, the better. You might provide
> >the child with a foundation of right and wrong, but the child must be
> >free to learn everything, not just what is on the parent curriculum.
> >
> >Home schooling could retard children in many areas that do not appear in
> >the text books, even if the children were academic geniuses. The
> >greatest lessons of life are learned through experience, not in a closed
> >class room.
> >
> >Regards,
> >
> >LelandJ
> >
> >=============Original message text===============
> >On Thu, 25 Dec 2003 1:28:15 pm CST "John Baird" wrote:
> >
> >Some don't want their young children to learn that having two mommies or two
> >daddies is okay. Some don't want their young children learning that its
> >okay to suck out a baby after 7 months and bash their brains in because the
> >woman "chose" not to want it. I could go on, but its wasted breath.
> >
> >Cultural diversity is fine, but can be taken way to far. I've lived the
> >majority of my life overseas. I speak Spanish, German, French, Russian and
> >Italian and you know what? In Germany, you didn't have to choose German at
> >the ATM's. Important Governmental papers weren't required to be published
> >in two or more languages. In Mexico, if you don't speak Spanish, you can't
> >get along unless you are in the tourist areas. We have dumbed down America
> >until all that's left is little enclaves of minorities who affect the
> >policies of the government because of left-winged feel good libs who want to
> >cater to all.
> >
> >I wanted my kids to be raised as Americans and proud of it, not having to
> >hang their heads in shame because they weren't politically correct. I
> >wonder if this is how the decline of the Roman Empire started.
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: profox-bounces .at. leafe DO.T com [mailto:profox-bounces@leafe.com] On Behalf
> >Of Leland Jackson
> >Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 2:13 PM
> >To: profox .at. leafe DO.T com
> >Subject: Re: [OT] : Ownership of your kids?
> >
> >Hi Alan,
> >
> >An important part of any education is an environment that exposes the
> >student to broadest base of cultural, ethic, religious, and social
> >diversaty. This makes for a well rounder citizen, one who is open
> >minded and accepting of differences in beliefs and opinions.
> >
> >I believe if the school is outside the home, the student will learn
> >important lesson not taught at home, If the school is outside the
> >community, that is even better. If the student has a chance to attend
> >school outside the country, of example within a student exchange program,
> >that is even better as the student will learn many lesson not taught
> >within the confines of our country. The more boardly the student's
> >travel, the more boardly will be his experiences which make for a well
> >balanced and board minded citizen.
> >
> >Regards,
> >
> >LelandJ
> >
> >==============Original message text===============
> >On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 11:54:26 am CDT Alan Wyne wrote:
> >
> >No it doesn't.
> >
> >While my kids all went to or are going to public school, I have family and
> >several friends that home school. I have worked with kids from home school
> >environments, public schools environments and private school
> >environments. The kids end up having the same mix if personalities,
> >problems and successes regardless of the school type. I would not dare to
> >claim my personal experience is the perfect example for all kids, but I do
> >know that the old belief that Home schooled kids miss out on learning to be
> >effective in groups is just simply wrong. In the friends and family I know
> >that home school, their kids were far more active in groups outside of
> >their home than my kids were. The kids from home school environments do
> >as well in college as kids from other environments.
> >
> >Alan Wyne
> >
> >At 11:47 AM 8/31/2004, you wrote:
> > >Hi Stephen,
> > >
> > >Perhaps the kids do better academically, but home schooling deprives the
> > >kids of the most important lesson of all; How to live and get along in
> > >the real world.
> > >
> > >Regards,
> > >
> > >LelandJ
> > >
> > >==============Original message text===============
> > >On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 10:40:40 am CDT "Stephen Russell" wrote:
> > >
> > >Does the state have a right to monitor home schooling? Does my child
> > >report to God only?
> > >
> > >Tough line here that a few families are setting up to not comply with PA
> > >rules.
> > >
> > ><http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0831/p14s02-legn.html>>I can see the >
> Statewanting to make sure the kids are getting the
> > >education they need to survive. But when compared to all organized
> > >education systems I have found that the home schooled kids were always
> > >ahead of their traditional schooled friends. Could it be Student
> > >teacher ratio? Probably!
> > >
> > >Stephen Russell
> > >S.R. & Associates
> > >Memphis, TN 38115
> > >
> > >901.246-0159
> > >
> > >
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©2004 Alan Wyne |
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