We are all equal. I am what is considered to be a “person of colour”. Growing up I was told that I could become anything I wanted to be if I worked hard and persevered. It would have crushed my self-esteem to have been told that I am oppressed, by the way I am not oppressed. This CRT agenda is harmful to people of colour and is not at all helpful for people of colour. Let us focus our efforts on solving the educational challenges of people of colour, instead of teaching kids that they are oppressed and lesser than others because of the colour of their skin.
I can't imagine a better teacher than Chanel Pfahl. I would like to comment on three of her statements. First, "'Anti-racist' or 'CRT' activists claim that racism permeates our society at every level in a subconscious and/or systemic way. This is tremendously useful for anyone who champions the ideology, as it allows for an easy way out of having to show evidence for their claims." It also gives them a back door to the best university programs or best jobs in society. CRT is self-serving for its ironically righteous practitioners. Second, "The Ontario College of Teachers defines anti-racism... as 'an active and consistent process of change to eliminate individual, institutional and systemic racism as well as the oppression and injustice racism causes.'" That's a tall order, for the OTC: eliminating oppression and justice in addition to racism. Underlying CRT is deceit. The theory will only create more oppression, injustice, and racism. It is sophomoric blather and prattle, and not the sort of curriculum kids need. Third, "[Teachers] are not preachers or moral guidance counsellors...or political campaigners." Sadly, this type of teacher is on the ascendance, as that is the example set by higher-ups. Ms. Pfahl gets to the heart of the matter - teaching being for the betterment of children and not for indoctrinative and manipulative adults. Academic values such as open inquiry and coming to one's own conclusions ought to be paramount. I am reminded of Mark Twain's observation: "In the first place, God created idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards."
This article made me cry. You are describing exactly what I see happening in my school as well. After I said in one of the meetings that we should talk to each other and be open to meaningful and respectful discussions, I was called a hurtful person and my principal told me not to speak up in future staff meetings for "my own good". Saying that I feel hurt being called a white supremacist was offensive to people in the meeting as well. Instead I was advised to speak only to her in a "safe space" and prompted to correct my defensive stance of a white person. In my classroom I am teaching all my students to be kind, respectful, hard working and welcoming to each other. It is no place for indoctrination, period. At times it feels very lonely to watch this absolute madness and being unable to change any of it. Speaking out is not enough but I am not sure what else can be done? Reading this article really makes me feel that there are other people out there who get it and it makes it a bit better. Thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
Fantastic article, thank you for your courage & integrity. All the very best with your case. You’re going to give others in the same situation the hope & courage to speak & act in good conscience too. Shared.
Sh#t, not only have i finally understood what CRT is, and it's inequivocal danger, i've learned it in a most enjoyable way. Incredibly well written article. Thank you so much.
There is a certain irony that the totalitarian identity politics of the Woke is not that far removed from that of the Nazis, who traded on lurid anti-Jewish conspiracy narratives and eugenicist racial theory that was quite popular in certain circles during the late nineteenth century, which Hitler picked up on as a young man in Vienna.
And the strong-arm tactics of Antifa are not that differrent from the Nazi brownshirt storm troopers who took over the streets in Berlin in the later 1920s.
Long before the Nazis actually gained state power, their sympathizers within the Wimar republic state administration gave them legal protection and preference for jobs, and harassed/'deplatformed' their opponents.
You had to be 'brave' to raise your voice against a Nazi speaker at a public meeting and Party members were encouraged to humiliate critics and bully non conformity across all institutions and levels of society.
That is why I like to label Wokes as 'Soft Fascists'; you know, like the awful Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series, whose 'New Order' head mistress role at Hogwarts was 'little girl' sickly sweet, butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but as ruthlessly repressive as her punishment quills.
Your views are incredibly reasonable, intelligent and balanced. They are not harmful and you deserve NO shame or punishment. I was indoctrinated into CRT among other postmodernism theories in university and it took me three years to finally pull my head out of my ass. I was anxious, depressed and angry every day when I believed in this oppression Olympics. Thank you for speaking the truth. I stand with you.
I hope you find a new school and stay in teaching. Myself and other parents will gladly send our kids to any school that supports values like what you describe here.
From another teacher in the trenches fighting against the slew of initiatives to indoctrinate children, thank you for highlighting these issues! And thank you to Chanel Pfahl for standing strong. You're right to quote Bari Weiss: "We got into this situation because of cowardice and we get out because of courage." I hope and pray we can all be courageous in our circle of influence and make a difference.
Oct 5, 2022·edited Mar 15, 2023Liked by Woke Watch Canada
I took at look at that "Diversecity" thing where DiAngelo spoke. It's an organization geared towards non-Caucasian immigrants, helping them get established in Canadian society. Nothing wrong with that. Seems like a great organization. But it's interesting that there is not one white person on the board -- again, nothing wrong with that and appropriate for an organization doing what this one does -- but why in their conference would they have a presentation on white fragility and white moderacy, whatever that means, given by the biggest white hater of them all? DiAngelo has made millions from making white people hate what they are, and of accusing white folks of basically every ill that society suffers from today. Who attended this particular session? I'd be interested to know.
We are all equal. I am what is considered to be a “person of colour”. Growing up I was told that I could become anything I wanted to be if I worked hard and persevered. It would have crushed my self-esteem to have been told that I am oppressed, by the way I am not oppressed. This CRT agenda is harmful to people of colour and is not at all helpful for people of colour. Let us focus our efforts on solving the educational challenges of people of colour, instead of teaching kids that they are oppressed and lesser than others because of the colour of their skin.
I can't imagine a better teacher than Chanel Pfahl. I would like to comment on three of her statements. First, "'Anti-racist' or 'CRT' activists claim that racism permeates our society at every level in a subconscious and/or systemic way. This is tremendously useful for anyone who champions the ideology, as it allows for an easy way out of having to show evidence for their claims." It also gives them a back door to the best university programs or best jobs in society. CRT is self-serving for its ironically righteous practitioners. Second, "The Ontario College of Teachers defines anti-racism... as 'an active and consistent process of change to eliminate individual, institutional and systemic racism as well as the oppression and injustice racism causes.'" That's a tall order, for the OTC: eliminating oppression and justice in addition to racism. Underlying CRT is deceit. The theory will only create more oppression, injustice, and racism. It is sophomoric blather and prattle, and not the sort of curriculum kids need. Third, "[Teachers] are not preachers or moral guidance counsellors...or political campaigners." Sadly, this type of teacher is on the ascendance, as that is the example set by higher-ups. Ms. Pfahl gets to the heart of the matter - teaching being for the betterment of children and not for indoctrinative and manipulative adults. Academic values such as open inquiry and coming to one's own conclusions ought to be paramount. I am reminded of Mark Twain's observation: "In the first place, God created idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards."
This article made me cry. You are describing exactly what I see happening in my school as well. After I said in one of the meetings that we should talk to each other and be open to meaningful and respectful discussions, I was called a hurtful person and my principal told me not to speak up in future staff meetings for "my own good". Saying that I feel hurt being called a white supremacist was offensive to people in the meeting as well. Instead I was advised to speak only to her in a "safe space" and prompted to correct my defensive stance of a white person. In my classroom I am teaching all my students to be kind, respectful, hard working and welcoming to each other. It is no place for indoctrination, period. At times it feels very lonely to watch this absolute madness and being unable to change any of it. Speaking out is not enough but I am not sure what else can be done? Reading this article really makes me feel that there are other people out there who get it and it makes it a bit better. Thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
Fantastic article, thank you for your courage & integrity. All the very best with your case. You’re going to give others in the same situation the hope & courage to speak & act in good conscience too. Shared.
Chanel, Thank you for your honesty and bravery. You have many supporters.
Sh#t, not only have i finally understood what CRT is, and it's inequivocal danger, i've learned it in a most enjoyable way. Incredibly well written article. Thank you so much.
Brilliant. Thank you for taking action. You are a highly valued Canadian who must win for the good of all.
So very well articulated!
There is a certain irony that the totalitarian identity politics of the Woke is not that far removed from that of the Nazis, who traded on lurid anti-Jewish conspiracy narratives and eugenicist racial theory that was quite popular in certain circles during the late nineteenth century, which Hitler picked up on as a young man in Vienna.
And the strong-arm tactics of Antifa are not that differrent from the Nazi brownshirt storm troopers who took over the streets in Berlin in the later 1920s.
Long before the Nazis actually gained state power, their sympathizers within the Wimar republic state administration gave them legal protection and preference for jobs, and harassed/'deplatformed' their opponents.
You had to be 'brave' to raise your voice against a Nazi speaker at a public meeting and Party members were encouraged to humiliate critics and bully non conformity across all institutions and levels of society.
That is why I like to label Wokes as 'Soft Fascists'; you know, like the awful Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series, whose 'New Order' head mistress role at Hogwarts was 'little girl' sickly sweet, butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but as ruthlessly repressive as her punishment quills.
Today, she would be A Woke.
Your views are incredibly reasonable, intelligent and balanced. They are not harmful and you deserve NO shame or punishment. I was indoctrinated into CRT among other postmodernism theories in university and it took me three years to finally pull my head out of my ass. I was anxious, depressed and angry every day when I believed in this oppression Olympics. Thank you for speaking the truth. I stand with you.
I hope you find a new school and stay in teaching. Myself and other parents will gladly send our kids to any school that supports values like what you describe here.
From another teacher in the trenches fighting against the slew of initiatives to indoctrinate children, thank you for highlighting these issues! And thank you to Chanel Pfahl for standing strong. You're right to quote Bari Weiss: "We got into this situation because of cowardice and we get out because of courage." I hope and pray we can all be courageous in our circle of influence and make a difference.
I took at look at that "Diversecity" thing where DiAngelo spoke. It's an organization geared towards non-Caucasian immigrants, helping them get established in Canadian society. Nothing wrong with that. Seems like a great organization. But it's interesting that there is not one white person on the board -- again, nothing wrong with that and appropriate for an organization doing what this one does -- but why in their conference would they have a presentation on white fragility and white moderacy, whatever that means, given by the biggest white hater of them all? DiAngelo has made millions from making white people hate what they are, and of accusing white folks of basically every ill that society suffers from today. Who attended this particular session? I'd be interested to know.
Bravo. Great Essay. Good teacher no doubt!
Ideology throws common sense out the window. Just read this well written essay to see why.
This is sensational writing. Wow. Thank you, Chanel Pfahl.