Read on Twitter
I have been chatting with people about the embarrassing excuse of a conference by @AdrianaLaGrange this morning. In response to a friend on FB, I ended up writing an unintentionally lengthy response and thought it might serve well as a Twitter thread.
#abed #abpoli #ableg
#abed #abpoli #ableg
This press conference, in my opinion, was a pledge to indoctrinate Albertans with the conservative ideology that school is to produce workers, period. Any inability to work or failure to meet expectations means that you are not a good, hard-working person.
This is very black and white, simplistic thinking that is typical of alt-right groups who want to maintain white privilege (systemic racism) and socioeconomic gaps. It doesn't account for the many factors that go into developing a full grown adult like-
Home lifeTraumatic experiencesLoss Socioeconomic statusMental healthChronic illnessDiagnosis like ADHD and ASDExperience with systemic racismSocial supportsDiscrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity
For me, this perfectly summed up the vision for Alberta that the UCP have. What I find more concerning is that this is the same vision that many Albertans hold. Maintaining that strong hold using kids was evident when Angus got into the 'Discovery math' talk.
They are appealing to the parents who have troubles helping their kids at home or who already gawk at modern teaching practice. Instead of finding ways to support, they are choosing a rhetoric that continues to further undermine public education while maintaining/gaining support.
We have to get people more active in politics, in particular women. Politics are uncomfortable for many to talk about. It may have a lot to do with lack of understanding of how government works or feelings of inadequacy over the power ONE person can have on making a difference.
But if we don't talk about the issues that concern us, then we lose out on the opportunity to understand each other better and we end up making things easier for parties like the UCP. An uneducated and disengaged public is what they thrive on; it's the air they breathe.
For those of us that do get angered, insulted or upset by what they are doing, we need to help amplify the voices and support for advocacy groups like @alberta_moms and @SOSAlberta, educate our friends and neighbours, and get up after we feel knocked down.
When a public service group, like teachers/educators, is attacked, they also need to find support and alliances with groups like doctors, nurses, and workers in social services, who are all being attacked in their jobs and are being equally undermined.
I also think that what is happening in Alberta can happen anywhere else. The current federal Conservative leadership race is concerning. Some candidates represent just as much, if not more, far-right ideology as the UCP.
So while we're trying to fix things here in Alberta, we need all Canadians to be watchful and understand what is at stake for them as well. Canada in not immune.
And equally important, we need to keep track of all the things that we're fighting against because it is a lot.
And equally important, we need to keep track of all the things that we're fighting against because it is a lot.
This morning's press conference was dual purpose because it was also meant to distract. Public pressure is mounting against the UCP to support a safe plan for a return to school in a few weeks. This means what we're doing is working. Keep up your efforts, don't get distracted.
Persist, resist, protest, write, speak. Amplify the voices that need it.There is power in one. There is power in many coming together.Keep going but take the time to recharge as needed. #FiretheUCP #FireLagrange #SafeSeptember
