Welcome to tonight’s #isedchat on #Parkland. I’m happy to be here and looking forward to this vital conversation. Who all is out there tonight?! What are your hopes for this chat? I have questions ready, but want to be sure needs are being met. :-)
#NeverAgain
Welcome! tonight’s #isedchat is with @bivey on #Parkland - our reactions and feelings, ways to best support students, and action plans moving forward.
#NeverAgain
A1. Sadly, while I reacted, it wasn't with the usual outrage as when all this started.That speaks volumes about how it happens way too often. #isedchat
Horror. Anger. Disgust at inaction. Then I read some @GeorgeLakoff and realized it couldn't be about the arguments. that won't change things. It must be about the conversations in the middle. #isedchat
A1b: I also thought about my school as we’ve had many discussions about security of late. Can’t imagine what it must feel like to be in that situation #isedchat
One thing I'm picking up on is, whatever our reactions, it seems we're all so used to this that we have expectations, routines, coping mechanisms that automatically kick in. That in itself is so sad.
#isedchat
Or about reframing the debate. The kids from Parkland have just done that I think. #isedchat They have taken the upper hand out of their righteous anger and grief.
Me too. My first tears were watching my kids just being happy silly kids and thinking what if this scene became a nightmare in a flash. They were so vulnerable and innocent in that moment.
#isedchat
Teens have had ENOUGH! #isedchat they are capable of speaking out and they see themselves as victims of a society that is awash with guns and they are the stalked victims
They've been absolutely magnificent. And, while we can and should certainly acknowledge other kids have been before this (Ferguson is one good example), that is definitely playing a role.
#isedchat
In reply to
@JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Q2: Appreciate the kids responding loudly to power actors and calling them out. It's like OoTP has become awakened and is recruiting for Dumbledore. This action and perspective is about them. #isedchat
I think a lot about the roles the adults in their lives will need to play. Their principal was magnificent - did y'all see the video of him addressing the school?
#isedchat
Is it really NRA vs normality, or power/fear vs empowering people? There is no doubt that this is a challenge to powerful monetary engines. CPAC speakers are trying to shift the narrative back. This is a culture divide that needs a bridge. #isedchat
Good point. This may be an uncomfortable observation, but most of the voices I hear are white. Would any teenager's voice from any community be given this kind of respect? #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
In light of the horrific occurrence at Parkland School, Chatham Hall would like to embrace conversation on the issues surrounding guns, mental health & the politics thereof. Our students will be hosting a Global Conversation with schools around the country & world 1/2 #isedchat
Some of the most frustrating conversations I've been having have been with (mostly friends of friends) who swear up and now arming schools to the hilt is our only chance, when evidence and logic - and the opinions of many veterans - say otherwise.
#isedchat
Perhaps. Or is the time just now ripe for change because we hit rock bottom? Kids will put up with a certain amount of garbage, and then they have had enough. #isedchat
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @bivey, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
#IssuesInRealTime We'll be online starting at 2PM EST on Tuesday the 27th of February through 6PM EST that same day. Please join us - help to facilitate this interchange of thoughts and ideas and let's see if we can't get something going! 2/2 Be in touch for more info #isedchat
That's a profoundly important reframing. I absolutely think it's power, driven by fear, seeking to consolidate power. There's an increasing almost-desperation among people advocating more guns. I don't know whether that encourages me or frightens me, to tell the truth.
#isedchat
In reply to
@marciarpowell, @JosieHolford, @crottymark
Awesome idea. Should we @ you about this? I know I have an in (my wife, for those who don't know), but how would others get in touch join in?
#isedchat
I think it's more than that. They grew up with Obama as president. They see Trump. They legitimately see that they are in danger. They respond from their anger and grief and demand for change. It is a moment that hits the national mood. #isedchat
Perhaps. Or is the time just now ripe for change because we hit rock bottom? Kids will put up with a certain amount of garbage, and then they have had enough. #isedchat
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @bivey, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
I see moments of bridging - there's some group holding one-on-one conversations at the community level. They have some sort of protocol that's supposed to work really well. Does anyone know more about this?
#isedchat
In reply to
@JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @crottymark
... which brings us to...
unexpected Q4 How do we facilitate respectful and productive exchanges - with our kids, our colleagues, our networks?
#isedchat
In reply to
@JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @crottymark
Arming schools is the last resort of a failed society. Arming teachers is an absurdity. those who espouse such thinking have GIVEN UP on the possibility of a civil society. And THAT is what the #NRA want. #isedchat
Some of the most frustrating conversations I've been having have been with (mostly friends of friends) who swear up and now arming schools to the hilt is our only chance, when evidence and logic - and the opinions of many veterans - say otherwise.
#isedchat
How is your school meeting those concerns? We randomly had planned to put kids on our new Emergency Alert System this week, which is - I guess - good timing.
#isedchat
I've lost track of the number of teachers who say they would resign if it came to that. I'm one, not that I think my school would ever, every do that.
#isedchat
I think that is what's playing out now (and others have pointed out a confluence of other factors), but it also has to be the "right" voices. #isedchat
In reply to
@marciarpowell, @bivey, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
There's rarely any point arguing with such people. Facts, research, evidence and anecdotal information rarely have ANY impact on them It's ideological. Not fact based. #isedchat
That's the part I find encouraging, too. And here and there, gun owners who are backing off their previous hard line stance and seriously advocating for change.
#isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @marciarpowell, @JosieHolford
This was requested by our Student Honor Council. It's a student initiated forum, our girls want to take action. This will be our 4th #IssuesInRealTime#GlobalDay. All who are interested can contact @ me and I will send you info and the Zoom Link. #isedchat
A4: we have to give people space to have an initial reaction, and then drive them to decide how they want to act. It is important to move from just expressing emotions to action #isedchat
I'm thinking, too, as we ensure we think intersectionally about this debate moving forward, this also gives us a way to say "Remember Parkland?" when kids of colour speak up in future. Hold up a mirror and advocate for equity.
#isedchat
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Arming teachers as a way to protect children in schools is illogical, impractical and wrong. We shouldn't even discuss the idea as having any shred of merit. The research and the evidence on this are clear. #isedchat
Exactly. That's similar to a question I was just playing with. How are people finding success bringing about this shift from expressing emotions to acting? Our kid who is trying to organize feels she it hitting more of a wall than she expected.
#isedchat
Advocating for equity will mean supporting the student voices such as #neveragain and #menext? I want to give their authenticity the room it needs to grow. #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
Would be grounds for disciplinary consideration #isedchat Meaning - those so ideologically inclined may well be not mission-consistent for quite other reasons! (intersectionality and all that.)
I remember we had the same conversation immediately following Sandy Hook about whether the sadness and outrage would have been the same had most of them been kids of colour.
#isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Mark, I believe the biggest demographic pattern is the anger. Anger is promoted as part of fear as a narrative. Fear sells guns, which is why AR15 are out-of-stock in many places. #isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @bivey, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
There is fear in acting, because we all want to just be accepted as part of the group, so standing out is hard. But that is a lesson we must all learn #isedchat
We have an entire city go bonkers for their professional sport team winning a domestic league yet where is the same size crowd after an incident like this? On the streets demanding change? #isedchat
Thinking a quick detour might be interesting now. Are we on..
Q5 What solutions would you all personally offer to reduce the rate of gun violence and the staggering number of gun deaths?
#isedchat
Good question. Worthy of research. Seems to me - unscientifically - they can happen anywhere.
And of course it's why we need the CDC research on gun violence that the Republicans refuse to support. #isedchat GOP = party of ignorance and violence
In reply to
@crottymark, @bivey, @JeremyDBond, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Well, the mass shootings have been perpetrated overwhelmingly by white boys and men. Does that speak to the problems with this group, or that they're less threatening to acquire these kinds of weapons, or both? #isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @bivey, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
But there's anger that compels some people to march for gun control and anger that compels other people to stock up on ammunition. Where does this difference come from?
#isedchat
In reply to
@marciarpowell, @crottymark, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
We had all the outrage but there was NO action so maybe it's not the top issue. Dead Sandy Hook had no impact on loosening the grip of the NRA on Congress.
#isedchat
I remember we had the same conversation immediately following Sandy Hook about whether the sadness and outrage would have been the same had most of them been kids of colour.
#isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Thinking a quick detour might be interesting now. Are we on..
Q5 What solutions would you all personally offer to reduce the rate of gun violence and the staggering number of gun deaths?
#isedchat
A5: Other than badly needed legislation, schools need to invest in more supports for Ss coping with psychological and emotional issues. That's the training our Ts need, not time at the shooting range. #isedchat
NOTHING has any impact - so far - on the NRA stranglehold on Congress. The Parklands kids are making a dent in that. THAT is why they are subject to such right wing abuse. #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @crottymark, @JeremyDBond, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Right. I literally saw some people say, "They seem like great kids. Great teachers. Great school." Well, yes there were. But wouldn't that - shouldn't that be true of literally every school? There *are* awesome kids everywhere.
#isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
This is where the information and study of George Lakoff comes in. He's very articulate, but it's basically a father-knows-best worldview (think traditional marriage, military) vs. a viewpoint that data has the answer. @skeeTX they are much difference. #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @crottymark, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff, @skeeTX
A5: Other than badly needed legislation, schools need to invest in more supports for Ss coping with psychological and emotional issues. That's the training our Ts need, not time at the shooting range. #isedchat
Hm... have any of these happened in a community with small schools? Sandy Hook itself wasn't big but the high school he went to was. I guess my point is whether kids in big schools can get overwhelmed or feel lost. #isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @bivey, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Precisely. I've seen that point made elsewhere. I've been saying for years we can't solve our gun violence problem without anti-racist work. Smashing the patriarchy, too. But I think even those without increased gun control wouldn't be enough.
#isedchat
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @marciarpowell, @crottymark, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
Just late & otherwise occupied so will leave #isedchat soon, but we can bet with 100% certainty that right now their are indy school board members approaching chairs and heads with ideas for arming teachers. How will school leaders respond? Will all have the sense to say no?
The gun control problem is a "simple" matter of legislation. Systemic racism takes a little longer.
But should also be tackled as an urgent issue. #isedchat
Precisely. I've seen that point made elsewhere. I've been saying for years we can't solve our gun violence problem without anti-racist work. Smashing the patriarchy, too. But I think even those without increased gun control wouldn't be enough.
#isedchat
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @marciarpowell, @crottymark, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
The weapons bans can have an effect on a state legislature more than a national. Yes, we need equity and voice to solve this issue, but we also need campaign finance reform. One of my reps has taken more than 3 mill in donations from NRA as a 1st term #isedchat
Angry deranged kids and adults happen in all communities. Sometimes indy schools manage to counsel such folks out. But whatever. The fact is these people need to have NO access to weapons of mass destruction #isedchat
Hm... have any of these happened in a community with small schools? Sandy Hook itself wasn't big but the high school he went to was. I guess my point is whether kids in big schools can get overwhelmed or feel lost. #isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @bivey, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Sometimes, though, I worry about the right-wing echo chamber. The whole "crisis actor" thing some people genuinely, astoundingly believe.
And sometimes I think, by what echoes might I be closed off?
#isedchat
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @crottymark, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
There aren't many girls conducting mass shootings.
It's been said ironically that nothing would bring gun control faster than black people arming themselves en masse. Again, what is it that people are arming themselves against? #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @marciarpowell, @crottymark, @JosieHolford, @GeorgeLakoff
We also need to support the mentally ill. Disgusting to see these incidents blamed on those who are afflicted. Still need the weapon to carry out the act #isedchat
Indy school heads and teachers will have to be well "armed" with the arguments/ research/ evidence/ facts about why this would making schools LESS safe.
We must tackle gun control and put our energy there. #isedchat
Just late & otherwise occupied so will leave #isedchat soon, but we can bet with 100% certainty that right now their are indy school board members approaching chairs and heads with ideas for arming teachers. How will school leaders respond? Will all have the sense to say no?
A friend does research into mindsets and once said habitualy, honestly asking ourselves that question can serve as a vaccine against echo chambers. Struck me as good advice. #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @JeremyDBond, @crottymark, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
The far right doesn't want arguments/research/facts, and the far left doesn't want to hear 'common sense' reasoning. Conversations have to be aiming for those in the middle. #isedchat
We ought to. So...
... unexpected Q6 (?)
What steps can we be taking to prepare to handle pressure to retreat into fear and focus only on a purely defensive posture (arming teachers etc.)?
#isedchat
Arming teachers as a way to protect children in schools is illogical, impractical and wrong. We shouldn't even discuss the idea as having any shred of merit. The research and the evidence on this are clear. #isedchat
Right. I literally saw some people say, "They seem like great kids. Great teachers. Great school." Well, yes there were. But wouldn't that - shouldn't that be true of literally every school? There *are* awesome kids everywhere.
#isedchat
In reply to
@crottymark, @JeremyDBond, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
That's always what I hope for - people who try and seek nuance to whatever extent they share similar views to me.
But I find many conservatives to be really skittish right now. Liberals less so. Maybe just my experience.
#isedchat
In reply to
@JosieHolford, @JeremyDBond, @crottymark, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Arming schools is the last resort of a failed society. Arming teachers is an absurdity. those who espouse such thinking have GIVEN UP on the possibility of a civil society. And THAT is what the #NRA want. #isedchat
Some of the most frustrating conversations I've been having have been with (mostly friends of friends) who swear up and now arming schools to the hilt is our only chance, when evidence and logic - and the opinions of many veterans - say otherwise.
#isedchat
A6 That's a thing I'm doing too. And on campus, actively trying to let Windsor (the blogger) and her friend take the lead, and ensuring other adults do the same.
#isedchat
A6: for one, important to have a dialogue and continue it so it’s not forgotten. While curriculum matters, what’s happening now to shape our world/their future, is massively important and can’t be ignored #isedchat
Bill, I try to have reasonable conversations with people who I see as 'in-the-middle'. That's most people. You get your strengths from YOUR alignment (as @josieholford said) but talking about out-of-control money, fear and power narratives is a neutral place to begin. #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @JosieHolford, @JeremyDBond, @crottymark, @GeorgeLakoff, @JosieHolford
By design, certain people, whether they're the Florida students or Sandy Hook parents, decide to have louder voices than others. So that raises questions of being "agents" of something or someone. But they have public opinion on their side. #isedchat
In reply to
@bivey, @crottymark, @JosieHolford, @marciarpowell, @GeorgeLakoff
Create curricula that promotes critical exploration of history and ideas #isedchat Keep kids talking and not shouting at each other. Get them DOING something that uses their expertise and makes a difference.
A6 Teachers need to come together and form an alliance. We need to have proactive discussions to create a plan for our schools. Each schools culture is unique ... I believe in changing the school environment #unity#ownership@jennyktechin#isedchat
The kids with whom I'm working are:
- planning conversations
- organizing attendance at a march
- preparing for a political email campaign
- thinking about the April 20 walkout
They have solid adult/admin support.
#isedchat
A3 Students are on edge...today alone in PA their were three incidents close to home...praying for direction and leadership for our students. @jennyktechin#isedchat
A2. They have found their voice! The voice educators try to help them identify! It’s time for a change and it’s beautiful to see the students stand up and demonstrate and lead the way! #thankyou#advocate@jennyktechin#isedchat
We are PK-8 school but if we work with our Ss and develop their skills, they will head to high school able to take part in these types of discussions as they formulate their own informed opinions having learned to listen and discuss now #isedchat
