Nothing is invincible. Both statements are correct. No one person or power is absolutely invincible. But if you do nothing, then nothing becomes invincible. This is where we are these days, a synchronicity, a play on words. Not just in my home state, but as a country. People seem to be making decisions based on fear more than what is necessary. If I do this, then this will happen. If I speak against this then it may make me look bad or it could cause me problems. You are exactly where they want you. Because even if they aren’t invincible, they know nothing is. They also know if you do nothing, they are that much closer to becoming invincible.
I heard these words this morning driving to work. Nothing is invincible. A guy named Gordon Sumner sang these words along with a couple of his friends back in 1983. Gordon was a teacher back in the day. His words from thirty-three years ago are very prophetic. Because nothing is winning the day in public education. A lot of people talk about something but too many say nothing. But trust me, the enemies of public education have plenty to say. They hold an illusionary power. This is power they have been given. They use fear tactics to silence their oppressors because they know how to do it. They turn words like “rigor”, and “robust”, and “pathways” into their symbols of change. But they experience fear too.
Nothing scared them more than 22% of New York students opting out of the state assessment this year. New York parents are smart. They know that if enough of them opt out it makes the policy makers who love these tests. They know nothing is invincible. We all need to take this cue from the Empire State. Imagine if 22% of Americans said something instead of nothing? Imagine if that number grew to 30%? 50%, or 75%? It would destroy their corporate profit-driven dreams for our children. Politicians would stand up and take notice. The King would fall. For the corporate education reformers, their illusionary invincibility would crumble into dust. They would become nothing.
How many parents in Delaware and the rest of America got their kid’s state assessment results, looked at them, and thought “my kid’s grades don’t reflect this. What the hell are they taking this test for?” I know many who felt it was a waste of paper and ink and disposed of these results. I know some parents are worried about choicing their child to another school if they opt them out of the test. To them I say “Do it anyways,” because if enough of you do it those choice qualifications won’t matter. Those qualifications will become the dust on the reformer’s mirrors when they look at themselves and say “Why”?
Remember, nothing is invincible. If you believe in something, say it. It’s what makes us America. Don’t let fear rule the day. Let your voice and your conscience and your own inherent sense of what is right and what is wrong make the decision, not what others say or what they pressure you into believing. They are liars and will stop at nothing to tear down your child’s own sense of what is right and wrong so they can get their way. Don’t give them that power. Don’t let them try to brainwash our kids into believing their way is the right way.
The Season Of Myths 