On indoctrination, James Clavell, and critical thinking

Many years ago, I had the experience of reading James Clavell's The Children's Story, and I've used it many times since in classes. I find it very interesting that the story was initially written as a response to the Cold War, but it was reissued in 2022.

The summary on Amazon reads,

In this classic and chilling tale about an elementary school classroom in post-war occupied America, James Clavell brings to light the vulnerability of children and the power educators have to shape and change young minds. Originally written in the Cold War era, Clavell's extraordinary and enduringly relevant allegory on the impressionability of the human mind is still read in schools around the globe today, and is a call to every person to keep questioning and keep learning.

If you haven't had a chance to read it, I highly recommend it. Kids are taught the Pledge of Allegiance, but, in my experience (36 years of it), not one of them has ever been asked to consider what they are parroting back. I read today about an ice cream place in Massachusetts that is giving kids a free ice cream if they can recite it, and that makes me cringe. We are under a microscope by the ultra-right at all times: the yammering about "indoctrination" gets louder all the time. Yet, isn't this exactly what indoctrination means? Glibly gliding through the words without any interest or understanding of what it is asking us to do-- to promise fealty to a flag and to the republic without question is the very essence of indoctrination.

Now, I'm not saying we should not respect or support our country--not at all. But blind obedience is too easy to manipulate, and I suspect that is exactly what is going on across the nation. Loving one's country does not require an excusal of all that could be better. Blind fealty without questioning is very dangerous.

People talk and talk about teaching critical thinking skills, but I'm not convinced that this is what they mean, at least, those who also hop around like a toad on a hotplate when foundational tenets are questioned. When was the last time we really took a deep look at what we willingly chant, hand over heart, every time we are required to do so? I could say the same about some rote prayers, too-- that is a discussion for another day (how many Catholics really know what they are saying in the Apostle's Creed? That was an eye-opening CCD lesson I taught...). 

For years, my dad drove a truck with a bumper sticker that stated "Question Authority." Questioning is not disloyal; in fact, it's the greatest form of respect. To seek to understand, then decide whether to pledge one's life and honor, is not only rational, but should be the most important thing to teach kids. 

Have a good day, and I hope you read the story. It doesn't take long at all. 

C