I have seen the insanity of an inner city school where kids poop and pee in the stairwells because bathroom doors are locked out of fear that fires will be set or sex rings will run rampant. I have had my laptop stolen off my desk and been told by other teachers which gang leaders to see to try and buy it back. I have been threatened by a leader of the Crips, who once entered my room only to throw all of my belongings and books and papers on the floor before leaving the room saying he was going to “F*** me up.”
But I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced anything more at odds with reality than my recruitment into the academic world, where I have been offered to pursue a Ph.D in a field and school where conservative voices don’t seem to exist.
That I have gained admission to this university and this particular department is shocking in itself. The first thing I was told by the chair of the department when I was interviewed in the fall is that “we are extremely far to the left.” I was prepared for something like this, responded neutrally, and impressed her with my stories from the inner city education system and my desire to do in depth research about how so many levels of American society fail urban children. I also demonstrated a flawless expertise at discussing my “white privilege” because I knew it would be necessary for a straight-edge white guy to gain admission to a competitive left wing Ph.D program.
During a recruiting visit last month, the other accepted candidates and I were asked to say something that others wouldn’t think to know about us. The professors led off this activity as a sort of ice breaking activity, sharing everything from their sexuality and even history as strippers at gay strip clubs. One shared the galling fact that she was once registered as a Republican. It was just assumed that these comments were normal and that those gathered around the table were radicals.
I sat in my chair pondering what to say. What they wouldn’t know about me is that I was the captain of my college cross country and track teams. This was pretty boring and neutral, safely meeting the two criteria of things I will tell people I’ve just met. If I end up attending this institution, they’ll find out I’m a conservative. I didn’t want to open that can of worms during this touchy feely sharing session because the department is still doling out funding packages.
I ponder the achievement gap between white students and minorities and work my hardest in a dismal school and neighborhood to close it because it’s the right thing to do and I love doing it. That’s what I told the assembled panel of professors and prospective students my “idea of social justice” is. It took me about 30 seconds to describe my brand of social justice, while it took the others about five minutes each to explain why they’ve become “radicalized” in their pursuit of social justice or search for self, identity or sexuality in this world.
My idea for the study of my country is rooted in reality and what I see in the shameful state of our inner city schools. My prospective colleague’s ideas seem fundamentally rooted in a radicalized search for self, identity and meaning.
They are all good people and I certainly respect the challenges many go through as human beings in terms of their gender, sexuality and diversity. But at the end of the day, who are radical gender and sexuality experts speaking to other than each other and leftist professors and impressionable college students? And how many people is this helping in our country? And if I’m not interested in someone else’s sexuality (my mom always told me not to worry or inquire about what others do behind closed doors and I go by that) does this make me less of a person or intellectual?
A major draw for me to pursue this degree: If I do, someday I’ll have the credentials to stand up to liberal ideology and radical brainwashing theory in a college setting. For sure, more conservative voices are needed in classrooms at all levels. These are places to share core ideals and beliefs, not through dogma and agenda pushing, but through example, objectivity and common sense.
sinz54 // Mar 4, 2009 at 8:38 am
I was an engineer for over 20 years. In all the byzantine ways of corporate politics, I never ran away from a fight. If I were in your place, I would have stood on my feet and said that I am a conservative, I have been a conservative for years ever since I realized how the Left’s dream is to create a society of equal misery for all, I’m not here to win anybody’s personal approval–I’m here to win a Ph.D. And let them make of that what they will.
John_S // Mar 4, 2009 at 10:48 am
I’ve always believed that little progress can be made in education reforms without the foundation of strong families. Education is a function, in no particular order, of (1) opportunity, (2) values, and (3) discipline. Familes are responsible for the later two items. I’m sure this isn’t a new idea for most conservatives. Still, I’m astonished how little attention seems to be paid to the family’s role in education at the Ed. schools . . . from what I’ve seen of them. I would love to get your thoughts on these issues.
bryclops // Mar 4, 2009 at 11:10 am
sinz54, you must not have experience with lefty academia. If he’d said that, they’d have made his lifel until he left or conformed (in the name of tolerance, of course). So, congrats on your chest-thumping ways, but realize that some opportunities are only available to those with tact. The entire GOP needs to learn this so that they stop losing to inexperienced but smooth-talking rookie Senators.
bryclops // Mar 4, 2009 at 11:11 am
That was, “made his life hell,” by the way. Something went amok when I pasted in my comment.
Sepp // Mar 4, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Thomas, I’m new to the site and have only read your last two postings. Each of them has left me wondering whom I’m supposed sympathize with — the educated guy who (admirably) chose to insert himself into this environment, or the young people in your school who didn’t have that choice and haven’t had the same educational opportunities you have had?
ModerateGal // Mar 4, 2009 at 3:20 pm
“my desire to do in depth research about how so many levels of American society fail urban children”
It seems that you have already reached all of your conclusions, so why waste time with the research? Conservatism is always good, and anything liberal is always bad. That’s what I keep reading from your posts. Just remember that the truth is always somewhere in the middle.
thomasgibbon // Mar 4, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for reading, Sepp. Please never sympathize with me. Good Lord, that’s the last thing I need. It’s about the kids. I’m just amazed at how much there is to learn here.
thomasgibbon // Mar 4, 2009 at 6:20 pm
ModerateGal – - all due respect, but moderation isn’t going to fix these schools or help my kids. Radicalism, in the form of conservative values, common sense and judgement, will.
Sepp // Mar 4, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Thanks for replying, Tom. Regarding your replies to both me and ModerateGal, why then aren’t your posts focusing on how the application of conservative philosophy can help these schools?
thomasgibbon // Mar 4, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Sepp. I’m 24 years old. I’m thinking – just starting my career. I’m not spending day and night at CPAC conferences trying to pretend I know policy. I don’t claim to have policy solutions, but the ones we’re being offered don’t mix with the reality I’ve lived and will continue to because I know what’s at stake in the schools. It’s starts with getting some values in our schools. Perhaps it’s as simple as that – getting people who care about saving the schools and our values and believing that it can be done the old fashioned way – working at it day after day after day no matter how bad it gets. What about you?
Sepp // Mar 4, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Which specific policies aren’t mixing with reality? Perhaps that’s a good place to start. Like you, I’m a professional educator working at it day after day. I know how hard it is; that’s why I’m interested in ideas for dealing with these problems.
thomasgibbon // Mar 5, 2009 at 5:00 am
Sepp, you’re right.
I’m interested in ideas for dealing with these problems too. For starters and I’m gonna be brief, vouchers: We make a big deal of the great voucher program in D.C. – it is successful, yes. But it only helps 1700 kids. I’m interested in those kids at Ballou and Eleanor Roosevelt H.S. – - the kids in gangs, selling drugs, dropping out, having children, in foster care…How do we help those kids through conservative policy? It’s not an option to just blow up the schools! This problem is urgent – in fact, the bell rings in about 45 minutes.
ModerateGal // Mar 6, 2009 at 2:15 am
Thomas, I fail to see where the current rightwing stances (that conservatism has given itself over to lately) of “just say no” and abstinence-only education will be helpful in your attempts. — Actually now that I know that you are only 24 years old, it gives me a better understanding of you and your views. That is not meant as a disparagement. I admire the work that you do, but your writings do tend to show things through a narrow focus.
thomasgibbon // Mar 6, 2009 at 5:02 am
Govt program can never substitute adequately for common sense, Moderate Gal. My “narrow focus” has been sharpened by teaching in one of the schools that others on the web and in politics sit and hypothesize about all day.
ModerateGal // Mar 6, 2009 at 6:06 am
Oh yes, Thomas, I am sure that at 24 you are wiser than any of us ever will be.
justicefish // Mar 6, 2009 at 9:04 am
Good article, and, at least from my perspective, very close to my own experiences at Swarthmore. I’m a (conservative) senior there and tend to see many brilliant minds focusing not on the realties of how to make the world better but rather, as you noted, concentrating on “a radicalized search for self, identity and meaning. ” Even more so, I’ve tended to find that many my fellow students are openly disdainful of those who do not delve into this search for self and are outright hostile to those that question the necessity of the extreme focus on it. I’m both disheartened to find that this sentiment is more pervasive than just Swarthmore and glad to find people that are standing up to challenge it! Kudos!