Inclusion is not Neutral
Radical new guidelines are circulating that involve the erasure of moral and civil education. This notion that neutrality is desirable is nonsense. Neutrality on everything offers zero values to our educational program. It does not address the realities or the imbalance of our world.
The guidelines state that only by being neutral can all points be spoken and thus no absolutes can be stated. The problem is that many concepts, particularly around race can't even be discussed because their very existence stifles discussion. Thus, it enshrines the white status quo.
LAB was built on discourse, and LAB is known for producing critical thinkers. LAB is not known for being a void of things that matter in the real world.
Additionally, an adult lens is not appropriate for early childhood learning; when it comes to kids, there is right and wrong and wrong is wrong. There is no grey area. Children empathize with one another and are accepting of each other's identities. Actions give kids something to do with their big feelings, when they do learn about topics in our world. Activism is a healthy part of education and fosters development, participation, resilience and courage.
How does a child benefit from these guidelines? How does a child benefit from not learning about institutional racism? How does a child benefit from the absence of a pride flag?
This is what erasure looks like.