Socialist Teachers Discuss Indoctrinating Public Schoolchildren

Sarah Knopp

Sarah Knopp, a Los Angeles teacher and member of the International Socialist Organization organized a panel at Democratic Socialists of Americas Left Forum 2011 in New York in March, “Capitalism and Education: A Marxist discourse on what we’re fighting against and what we’re fighting for”, which discussed how best to indoctrinate children in the classroom.

Barack Obama used to attend these events (then known as the Socialist Scholars Conference), when he lived in New York in the early 1980s.

The second speaker is New York public school teacher and I.S.O. comrade Megan Behrent.

Other panelists were I.S.O. supporters  Jeff Bale, Department of Teacher Education, Michigan State University, Brian Jones, a New York teacher,  and former D.S.A. Feminist Commission member Jean Anyon of the Graduate Center, C.U.N.Y. and author of the just released “Marx and Education”.

There are thousands more like this in America’s public schools.

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34 thoughts on “Socialist Teachers Discuss Indoctrinating Public Schoolchildren

  1. There are more like tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, such teachers in America. When I was in high school about twenty years ago, when Bill Clinton was first in power (1993-95), these people were brazen about what they believed in, about as soon as Clinton won the election. “Communism was good for Russia!” [in a tenth-grade world history class circa 1993] / “Imagine a world without art!” [if we don’t pass this school levy tax increase, now!] / “NO! Do you want to take this outside?” [if a student disagrees with a teacher, and questions teachers’ unions] / “Speak up for animal rights, go vegetarian!” [on a poster in the teacher’s classroom circa 1995] Since my graduation, it has probably gotten even worse at that high school. Needless to say, I am not enthusiastic about going to my reunions, because back then, many people appeared to be (to quote Stalin) “useful idiots” obeying these leftists in the teaching profession. Today, useful idiots like Rack Jite and Mike Huben on the Internet are the leftist Baby Boomers still promoting these irrational views. Won’t it be great when Xers and Millennials with non-leftist, pro-capitalist views begin to rule the world in the next 20 years or so?!

  2. The Socialist system, in a more special sense than any other, is founded not on optimism but on original sin. It proposes that the State, as the conscience of the community, should possess all primary forms of property; and that obviously on the ground that men cannot be trusted to own or barter or combine or compete without injury to themselves. Just as a State might own all the guns lest people should shoot each other, so this State would own all the gold and land lest they should cheat or rack-rent or exploit each other. It seems extraordinarily simple and even obvious; and so it is. It is too obvious to be true. But while it is obvious, it seems almost incredible that anybody ever thought it optimistic.

    GK Chesterton (writing to Fabianist Mason GB Shaw)

    1. the state=the people. Government=You. Do you vote? Do you participate in general elections?

      The only time the state=you a problem is when it exercises its power not over its own subjects but in nations abroad. Aka imperialism and neocolonialization.

      If you were not the state, if the people were not the state, then our constitution would not say by the people for the people. That is the ideal of course. There are many aspects to the state that are not elected by the people. Worse than that, pacs enable the richest in our country to institutionalize an oligarchy. Fix the state. improve the state. but don’t say what’s bad with the state is the problem of the state. Rather, it is imperfections within the state. The state is a complex entity constituted by practices. This means that our everyday interactions, transactions, institutions, are apparatuses not from the state but make up the state. The constitute the state. Theoretically, what is possible of the state is only what you as a citizen do. What you are afraid of, in truth, is that citizenship is being allocated and redistributed to more people weakening the power of your voice. It is distributing that voice. But that is the nature of democracy. To give the people, not just the white propertied class of men, a voice.

  3. How do you feel about gay marriage? Shouldn’t people have a right to choose whomever they want to marry? what about a women’s right to choose what to do with her body? shouldn’t she have a right to choose to have an abortion if she chooses. But more importantly, if you aren’t pro-choice and want to force girls to have the children, would you be in favor of governmental assistance program for women to care for their child, or do you force her to have her child and deny her assistance as well? how christian is that? How about an immigrant’s right to have citizenship? What about a public option? A public option does not in any way affect anyone who does not participate. In only allows those who opt for the public option to choose to opt into government sponsored insurance. Who cares if you don’t like it. People should have a right to choose a health insurance plan that won’t deny them coverage for a preexisting condition. (btw, the universal coverage benefits the insurance companies).

    Are your views consistent? do you always believe people have a right to choose?

  4. Steve, if you understand your fiaith in this way, then practice it yourself. The government is not there to allow you to force others to do what you believe.

    What about those who believe their faith commands them to kill you and your family? Should they be allowed to because they can point it out in a book?

    Maybe we should have a government that allows people to be free in making their own choices so long as those choices don’t harm or control others?

  5. Well many of our educational founders were socialist or even worse, into eugenics. The progressives then came along toting better education, differentiated curriculum, out with the old in with the new, yippee….but there was a catch: social efficiency. They belived to create a utopia and social justice, and to not waste (hence efficient) each child would be trained for their career. This meant ridding of “waste” like algebra, Shakespeare, history (was replaced with social studies). This would help, with the help of character education as well, prepare a collective society managed by the “experts”. This whole idea was a spin-off of Prussian education (Prussia being socialist) touting free education for all (yippee) but not an elite education. (my blog explores this http://3rseduc.blogspot.com) having found this website (Loudon’s) I will be back again!

  6. Don’t these idiots realize that Socialism breed parasites, it teaches people that they don’t have to work for a living, and that everything is handed to them by the Government, and the people who are poaying for all of this are the actual hard working people who aren’t looking for a hand out…why do you people think that there are so many Europeans over here in America, it’s because of the Taxes that they have to pay if they were working in Europe, meaning for example if you made $800 a week, you’d be damned lucky is you saw $400 of it after they took out their taxes and what is all this money being used for???…to pay for all of these welfare cases and all of these so-called wannbe artists, musicians and general parasites…my God what the Hell are these people thinking?? indoctranating kids into socialism, it means that most of those teachers are incompentent and they are looking for nothing more than a free ride.

    1. please explain the following according to your logic?

      Deut. 15:7. If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.
      Deut. 26:12. When you have finished paying the complete tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and the widow, that they may eat in your towns, and be satisfied.
      Luke 12:33. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.”

      Is. 10:1-3. “Woe to those who enact evil statutes, and to those who continually record unjust decisions, so as to deprive the needy of justice, and rob the poor of My people of their rights… Now what will you do in the day of punishment, and in the devastation which will come from afar?”
      Luke 16:19-25. “Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs would come and lick his sores.
      Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.
      And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.’
      But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony…’”

      Prov. 29:7. The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern.

      Acts 2:44. All those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began to sell their property and possessions, and share them with all, as anyone might have need.
      Acts 4:32-35. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need

  7. I don’t think you can call economic justice “socialist” in the derogatory unless you disagree with the following:

    The bible says, “love thy neighbor as you love thy self”

    adam smith: “The subjects of every State ought to contribute to the support of the Government, as nearly as possible in proportion to their respective abilities; that is, in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the State.”

    Theodore Roosevelt: “every man holds his property subject to the general right of the community to regulate its use to whatever degree the public welfare may require it”
    “we must drive the special interests out of politics…every special interest is entitled to justice, but not one is entitled to a vote in congress, to a voice on the bench, or to representation in any public office”

    “Indoctrination” is a relative. Teachers don’t just educate students. When we are in a classroom, church, or community, certain set of shared meanings develop so that we can communicate effectively and have mutual understandings. think about games. Take monopoly for instance. You’re teaching your friend the rules of the game, what a passing go means, get out of jail free card, etc. And the friend says, “I don’t understand”. so you say, let’s just start playing the game and you’ll figure it out. And you do. Our involvement in the world gives us an understanding, rules, barriers, the do’s and don’ts. When your in a classroom. A similar experience happens. certain shared values and meanings are constitutively constructed without having to “indoctrinate.” With that said, indoctrination “superficially” is always happening due to the way we come to adapt and cope with our surroundings.

  8. All these marxists white women trying to indoctrinate all the children of color. Too bad for those “teachers” when their brain washing works, as we all know those white women lead lives of priveledge simply because they are white. And their little minions will boot them onto the gutter where those priviledged white fascist belong. It happens every time. Stupid twits.

  9. These teachers are spreading socialism in a nation founded on the principles of a free and constitutional Republic. For the people, by the people, and of the people. Not for, by and of the socialists or the progressives of the world.

    This has to stop.

  10. Whatever happened to teachers just educating the students? If Christians are not allowed to even voice their views to students, why is it ok for teachers to make plans to force their political views onto students? For goodness sake, just teach!! Children are growing up not even knowing the basic skills and you are worried about political views? Shame on you!!!

  11. I’m too angry to read all of this. If I had a choice these schools would not get a nickle of my tax dollars! Thank God I got my children through public schools before this started getting mainstream bad. I hope parents have a stronger influence on their children than these socialist teachers that don’t have a clue about what they are doing. These teachers were trained by their teachers, what do you expect?

  12. I can’t even watch the entire video. Grow up and get in the real world. In this country where competition for jobs results in the best people getting those jobs, which is EXACTLY what made this country so great. Not the Marxist way where some bureaucrat decides who gets what job.
    Now let’s move outside this country where there are entire nations that want to destroy you and this country! But you’re too wrapped up in your little utopian dream world which will never exist to realize and/or admit what danger exists out there.

    Children…..

  13. As a public school teacher and one of the very few that has not been sucked into the Marxist thought, I can tell you this is what is going on in every public school to one degree or another. America’s government schools, and if I dare say most private schools, are nothing more than Marxist factories producing little Marxist.

  14. Wait! Being indoctrinated as a Marxist is the only way to keep them from working at McDonald’s? The world must be so fun when every thought one has is an epiphany.

    1. As they say, what is taught to the children of today will become the government and leadership of the next generation. There is still time to stop this nightmare at hand. Each and every one of these incidents needs to be brought into the light and shown for the darkness it is to the Republic.

      1. How many people here watch Glenn Beck and tell themselves that isn’t indoctrination? A person telling you how to think? Question him just like he tells you to question government or politicians. Why do you trust him?

        1. Actually, Beck regularly tells people to question what he says. He always asks his viewers to do their own research and not believe him until they have checked out the information for themselves.

          1. have you read marx, lenin, Gramsci, Althusser? do you understand the historical context in which they were writing where real people on a day to day level were losing their lives due to the poor working conditions at the factories? and have you read your bible? and do you study american history?

            William Jennings Bryan, the Boy Orator from the Platte who fought for our ability to directly elect senators, for the silver standard so that farmers could have a currency, and for women’s suffrage once said, “I have been called a socialist. Why? because I believe in the government doing certain things better than individuals can” (Levine: 1965, 195).

            Bryan’s Christian ideals informed his political impulses. In the “Prince of Peace” speech of 1904, Bryan interweaves Christian idealism as the path to peace with exhortations to redistribute wealth. Bryan cites the bible to argue that road to a better nation necessitates the redistribution of wealth: “‘Let him who would be chiefest among you be the servant of all.’ Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good” (Bryan: 1904, 147). Later in the speech, Bryan deplores the “accumulation of wealth” that is not only not shared by the entire country but also only within the hands of those who do not follow the biblical call to service: “Many of the enormous fortunes which have been accumulated in the last quarter of a century are now held by men who have given to society no adequate service in return for the money secured” (Bryan: 1904, 149).
            Bryan also said “No man who really knows what brotherly love is will desire to take advantage of his neighbor” (Bryan: 1904, 150)

            you can’t teach children american history without talking about Bryan and the Progressive era in American history.

            Theodore Roosevelt, one of the great heros of American History, said “every man holds his property subject to the general right of the community to regulate its use to whatever degree the public welfare may require it”
            “we must drive the special interests out of politics…every special interest is entitled to justice, but not one is entitled to a vote in congress, to a voice on the bench, or to representation in any public office”

            if you are going to study American history, don’t just read a history book. examine these figure’s writings, dossiers, do your own research.

            This week is passover and we are reading the story of the exodus. the israelites are referred to as “oppressed” (3:7). why? “forced labor” (1:11). they are a class, so to speak, a working class that god favors over the ruling class, the egyptians. that sounds marxist to me.

          2. This is in reply to Steve (button not available),
            I have read those. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about taking your possessions and giving them to the State. It is up to us as individuals to be involved and care for our brothers.
            You sound like you are a very generous person….with my money. Thanks, but I will use it to do as I wish, not as you dictate.

          3. This is in reply to Krahmer’s comment:

            Deut. 15:7. If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.
            Deut. 26:12. When you have finished paying the complete tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and the widow, that they may eat in your towns, and be satisfied.
            Luke 12:33. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.”

            Is. 10:1-3. “Woe to those who enact evil statutes, and to those who continually record unjust decisions, so as to deprive the needy of justice, and rob the poor of My people of their rights… Now what will you do in the day of punishment, and in the devastation which will come from afar?”
            Luke 16:19-25. “Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs would come and lick his sores.
            Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.
            And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.’
            But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony…'”

            Prov. 29:7. The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern.

            Acts 2:44. All those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began to sell their property and possessions, and share them with all, as anyone might have need.
            Acts 4:32-35. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.

          4. to Kramer:

            So state is not a word used. I will grant you that. but if the state is providing for the poor with section 8 housing, healthcare, welfare, unemployment insurance, foodstamps, don’t you think God would be in favor of those programs that help the poor, feed the poor, help the poor in times of need?

            you go up to someone who is receiving those benefits and you tell him those quotes and then say, “but because it doesn’t say state, I don’t think my taxes should help you out”

        2. Dearest Steve, those of us who watch Glenn Beck aren’t being indoctrinated. If you were to actually watch a show he says all the time do the research yourself, don’t listen to me. We are not sheeple but thank goodness there is someone out there that brings out this information for us to process and research on our own, which we do. It is obvious to me now, as I once was a liberal, that there is so much bias in the main stream media that is almost criminal. Shame on them, they are becoming a culprit in the downfall of this country.

          1. What you are saying, and I hope you can follow the logic Anglea is that you are not indoctrinated because this person tells you that he has done the research so you should do it too, but for the time being let me interpret it for you?

            Let us say I were to pull out the biblical quotes:

            “Acts 2:44. All those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began to sell their property and possessions, and share them with all, as anyone might have need.”

            And I told you that text was advocating for communism would you trust me? you can go look up that passage yourself. Don’t believe me. It’s right there. but this is what that means.

            So what did I just do? I brought something out of context. I interpreted it. You may or may not have previous experience with that text but I am telling you what it means. Don’t believe me. Look it up. Now imagine that it was something you were not familiar with. If I told you that in the library I found a book that said that white people were actually aliens. don’t believe me, look it up. And you think to yourself, aliens, I wonder what that means. and this text is reputable. It seems I am suggesting that this text is saying that white people ARE FROM ANOTHER PLANET.What the text may be referring to is that whites are not indigenous to this country. they are aliens in the sense that they are foreigners and that they colonized the americas. Get it? Just because he tells you to go look it up yourself doesn’t mean he isn’t already inscribing interpretations for you that you should buy so to speak. he’s packaging an ideology but saying don’t trust him so you trust him more.

          2. Steve,
            Thank you for making my point. As I said “It is up to us as individuals to be involved and care for our brothers.” By FORCING us to give it is not charity. It hardens our hearts. Instead of helping out the person in need that you see, you say go to this bureaucracy (you’ll get love and care there, yeah right) or just say why doesn’t our government do more.
            It also hurts those that need help in another way. They don’t have a problem working the system and getting the most that they can. But they are less inclined to abuse personal help, or from a church or other charity. They are told by folks like you that they are ENTITLED to it. That attitude is one of humanity’s worst.

            I hope you had a blessed Easter,
            Karl

    2. McDonald’s practices Marxist ideology by embracing political correct policies and language, support of secular charities, sustainable development, etc.

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