Stop It

"Education is the Civil Rights Issue of Our Century" - Sen. McCain in his Acceptance Speech

Sound familiar? 

I wish everyone would stop using that phrase. It is a powerful statement, one I and many others have devoted our lives to, and I really don't like it when it is spoken so flippantly for political gain.

Comments

[splogger]

For many parents with special needs children and individuals with disabilities, education is very much a *civil rights* issue. Especially when basic human rights are violated, a la time-out rooms, seclusion & restraints, sexual assault in schools.

[Robert Hamm]

Education is not only a civil rights issue, it is a humanitarian issue. Our students are not entering the work force as competent and progressive citizens. I feel that America is not progressing as much as other countries. Our special needs children are not receiving the education and materials that they need. Gifted students are moving at a slower rate than any other sub group, financing and politics continue to stifle creativity and originality. Sen. McCain is right to point out that education affects our entire nation. I can only wonder if education will go through the same stages as the civil rights movement?

[Justin B.]

I think people are misunderstanding my post. Education is a civil rights issue ... I agree and I have devoted my life to working on that issue. What I am tired of is politicians, on both sides, using "education is the civil rights issue of our time" as a slogan and not really meaning it. By their actions, clearly they don't mean it. So I wish they would stop saying it because it insults folks that are truly committed to this.