Thread by @rollforlearning

It's Not Worth Debating the Anti-Woke: a 🧵

If you’ve been following the rise of anti-trans and anti-queer rhetoric in school boards over the last few years, you’ve likely seen the “anti-woke” crowd accuse equity advocates of never being willing to debate.

#onted (1/17)

Here’s the thing, friends.

Listening to dissenting opinions and engaging in debate only work when those opinions and debate are made in good faith.

And in the context of the anti-woke crusade going on in the education system, there is no good faith to be found.

#onted (2/17)

The anti-woke crowd uses a lot of very charged, very evocative words in their arguments. They throw around words like sexuality, pornography, child abuse.

In an argument made in good faith, they’d back up these claims with two things: a definition and evidence.

#onted (3/17)

Here’s an example from tonight. A delegate to the WRDSB alleged that there is sexual content being shared in classrooms. When asked to clarify what she considers to be sexual content, this was her reply:

#onted (4/17)

https://twitter.com/MmeKazemzadeh/status/1637964402560253952?s=20

This exact exchange plays out over and over again at school boards, on social media, and I presume in these face-to-face “coffee chats” that anti-woke activists constantly try to invite people to.

Which is super weird, as an aside.

#onted (5/17)

I wrote a facetious thread a few months ago about keeping “sexuality” out of my classroom. In the replies, some anti-woke folks told me that I was being intentionally obtuse. No one offered a different explanation of what a lesson on sexuality looks like, though.

#onted (6/17)

Here’s the thread, if you missed it. It was intentionally tongue-in-cheek.

#onted (7/17)

https://twitter.com/rollforlearning/status/1618793961518411779?s=20

This same conversation happened during municipal elections in the fall. A wave of anti-woke candidates attempted to “take back control” of school boards. Several were asked to define a lesson on sexuality.

None did.

#onted (8/17)

Why can’t they define these things?

Because they’re not actually against the nebulous concept of sexuality.

They’re against 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools, full stop.

Because they see our very existence as kink and sexual deviance.

Never anything else.

#onted (9/17)

Then, to my second point: even if they could define these concepts, they’d need to back them up with evidence.

Evidence that inclusive, safe spaces are harmful.

And oh, they have links, sure.

#onted (10/17)

But these links and studies they provide - when they do - can always be refuted by an avalanche of evidence to the contrary.

Ah, but that’s when their next talking point comes out to play: all of our institutions are “captured” by the “woke” and can’t be trusted.

#onted (11/17)

Here is one such example from earlier today. Screenshotting because I know many of you are blocked by this person or have him blocked yourself.

#onted (12/17)

You can throw all the statistics and peer-reviewed research you have at them and not one bit of it will change their mind. If it doesn’t back up their beliefs, it’s because that publication has been “captured” or is ideological.

Convenient, isn't it?

#onted (13/17)

They’re not here to define anything they say is happening in schools.

The only evidence they’ll accept is the evidence they’ve decided isn’t propaganda.

They'll screenshot you so their followers will call you a groomer and pedophile.

Don’t. Waste. Your. Time.

#onted (14/17)

Do you know what IS worth your time, though, #onted?

Creating safe spaces in your classrooms.

Being intentionally inclusive and intersectional in your practice.

Sharing ideas, trying new things, and being open to making mistakes and being called in.

(15/17)

The impact you’ll have will be far greater - and far more meaningful to queer folks in #onted - if you let the anti-woke crowd yell about being “silenced” all they want and instead focus your attention on your school.

Queer kids need you way more than the trolls do.

(16/17)

Need help with this?

There are tons of incredible organizations and #onted educators out here doing this work. Reach out to them. Do PD. Talk to queer folks. Ask students and families what they need.

Thanks for coming to Yet Another Twitter Thread With Shawna.

'Night. (17/17)