The War on Education

The world is changing from a labour-intensive, manufacturing-reliant economy to a knowledge-based service economy. We are seeing a backlash to this not only because the manufacturing-reliant economy is a masculine domain while the knowledge-based service economy is a feminine one, but because the knowledge-based service economy requires an educated workforce and education can be "dangerous". Education encourages critical thinking. It allows for the questioning of male privilege. It allows for the questioning of white supremacy. If everyone is educated, it makes people more equal. If everyone is educated, it dismantles the system of power. Goebbels knew this, that's why he ordered the burning of books.

In many ways, our society does not value things like education because it is a soft issue. Government funding is so heavily weighed towards the military and defence industry. Men erect buildings and fight war and this is important. But why is it more important than equipping society with the right to a good education? The Oklahoma Teacher Strike is certainly indicative of this problem. We are not accurately preparing our children for the future economy with the current state of education. We do not value the work of teachers. We need to reevaluate our societal values and ignore our impulse to overlook things that are deemed "feminine". I'm just glad these teachers finally demanded fair payment and respect for their work. It's about time.

Being white and male and able-bodied doesn't guarantee you the American Dream anymore and that can be unsettling. Trump's fixation on factories soothes the plight of the labourer. However, his enthusiasm and promises won't stop automation. The labourer is holding onto an old dream, but no matter his death grip, it will slip out of his hands. Education is a must in today's world. Pushing back won't matter. Skills and knowledge in the new economy must be continuously sharpened and acquired. It's time policy makers, the government and the President came to understand this. The American worker must shift focus, not the American workplace. In fact, the American dream isn't disappearing, it's just changing. So, work smarter, not harder.