Books & Things: Agreeing to Disagree

Books & Things: Agreeing to Disagree - Heritage Mom

source: https://heritagemom.com/2023/08/25/books-things-agreeing-to-disagree/

I've made a point not to disparage curricula, books, services, or products that fellow homeschool moms have created for this community. In fact, I've gone out of my way to state that I respect the work that has been done to provide booklists, lesson plans, and other resources. I consider many of the creators to be friends or at least friendly acquaintances. I recommend their resources (curricula, books, podcasts, etc.), share my thoughts when asked, and greatly appreciate their sacrifices.

And I use a lot of what these moms create in my own home!

My main message

I've suggested (and will continue to do so) that materials should include the work and ideas of a diverse group of people, and I've contributed to that body of work with resources for doing just that. I've said over and over again that most of the books and things are not BAD (though a few actually are); the lists are INCOMPLETE.

There's no reason that we can't make room for additional options, especially those that make all the sense in the world for children living in a vibrant, 21st-century democracy.

Keep the great stuff. Get rid of the messed-up stuff. Set some of the good stuff aside simply to make room for a different type of goodness. Add some new great stuff. That has always been my message, and most of the Charlotte Mason leaders (and so many others outside the CM community) that I've heard from agree and have been VERY open and kind.

Sooo...

I find it disappointing and offensive when peers publicly rip apart my work. It's been called unbiblical, narcissistic, racist (Seriously?), and too woke (Here we are, back to everyone's favorite new sin). Ironically, I find this ugly reaction to the idea that Black voices be included (because, let's face it... that's what they're upset about) to be those very things:

Unbiblical Narcissistic Racist Harmful to children

I continue to affirm the idea that our children need more beautifully diverse books to go along with many of the beautiful books the community has already been using for a long time. People can continue to tear down this idea and focus their efforts on keeping things "good" and "holy" (which apparently equals white to them), but why are they feeling so threatened?

A flawed strategy

And then there's the whole "I'll use a Black person to speak out against it" strategy. In these cases, white people who dislike the idea of mirrors and windows are finding Black people who are willing to agree that it's a harmful idea and giving them a platform from which to share, but these tactics only impress people who don't know and can't see past the veneer.

Black folks have been dealing with this for... oh, let me see... 400 years.

Give me $5, a cupcake, and 10 minutes of free time, and I'll find you an entire panel of Black people who will take a mic and publicly make a case for why they hate Black people. In other words, just because you find a Black person to refute a concept set forth and shared by other Black people, does not make what they say true or even relevant. It only shows just how many straws you're grasping at as your premise slowly sinks into the quicksand of outdated views. ESPECIALLY when you never highlight Black voices in any other capacity - only when you're using them.

Stay focused

You certainly don't have to agree with or even like the idea of mirrors and windows (though admittedly, I can't think of any rational reasons why someone would protest against the idea), but you also don't have to tear it down. You are like bloodthirsty sharks prowling and waiting for any opportunity for a takedown. What are you trying to accomplish?

You can keep working in your own sphere, doing things the way you've always done them. Parents who enjoy working that way will continue to follow you. In fact, people who don't even agree with your thoughts on this topic, will likely still follow you because you have other valuable things to share. You're all good! There's no need to worry about what I'm doing.

And I will continue to work in my area, speaking and writing about things that are important to the people who are listening to and reading my work. I'm not trying to take anything from you; I'm only adding my valuable contributions to a collective body of work. You need to stop with the hostility dipped in feigned innocence.

Don't fight dirty. Actually, don't fight at all. Peace is golden.

DEAR READERS: Read good books. Make sure plenty are written by and about Black and Brown people. The End.

You can find me on Instagram at @heritagemomblog having fun and being happy!

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