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Just as in all professions, there are bad teachers who should not be teaching. You can insist that teachers take advantage of the time they have with students to positively impact their lives. But what you can’t say is that ALL teachers take advantage of their position to take advantage of kids. But does it happen, yes.
It happens anywhere. A family member or someone else usually employs it in the victim’s circle of trust, such as a coach, youth group leader, clergy, neighbors and others who naturally have some interaction with the child.
PROTECTING THEM FROM WHAT EXACTLY?
In heated debates at school board meetings and in statehouses across the country, the argument repeatedly put forth in a way is that politicians and parents are trying to prevent children from being “groomed” — the same term commonly used to describe how sex offenders initiate contact with their victims.
This latest trend is another volley in the country’s ongoing culture wars, during which lawmakers also have opposed the teaching of “critical race theory” and proposed bills requiring schools to post all course materials online so parents can review them.
We know Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting Florida public schools from offering instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in a manner that is not “age-appropriate.” Critics call it a “Don’t Say ‘Gay” bill, arguing that its vagueness and reliance on lawsuits for enforcement will render educators afraid of mentioning the mere fact of gay or trans people.
The law is now at the center of the culture wars. It is already inspiring copycat legislation in other states, including Texas. And some supporters of the law are characterizing its opponents as if they are child predators.
SHE REALLY SAID IT
Here’s Christina Pushaw, a DeSantis spokesperson writing on Twitter:
“The bill that liberals inaccurately call “Don’t Say Gay” would be more accurately described as an Anti-Grooming Bill. If you’re against the Anti-Grooming Bill, you are probably a groomer or at least you don’t denounce the grooming of 4-8 year old children. Silence is complicity. This is how it works, Democrats, and I didn’t make the rules.”
The use of such rhetoric, opponents of the new laws argue, underscores a nationwide push by politicians to continue making education a political battleground by equating certain teaching materials and educators with pornography and even pedophilia.
The amazing thing about today’s politicians is that they “project” their agenda so clearly. It’s one ‘moral panic’ after another in a constant attempt to keep bases fired up, engaged, and filling the coffers.
PLAYING THE GAME
While media personalities know their own game very well, the word lands differently in the general public. The word “grooming” triggers intense emotion and activates every decent adult’s protective instinct. In fact, throwing around accusations of pedophilia, sympathy for pedophilia, grooming, or sympathy for grooming is a recipe for threats and violence.
Today in school, that notion has been replaced by the latest pathology: A mortal fear that anyone who exhibits acceptance, or even tolerance, towards LGBTQ and LGBTQ adjacent persons provides ironclad proof that person is a pedophile who is “grooming” children for sex.
No, it’s not a “charged” debate. It’s one side hurling wildly deceitful and utterly disgusting accusations at educators and their champions.
No, this isn’t actually about “how children should learn about sexual orientation and gender identity.” It’s about using radical extremist defamation to set off a culture war about whatever’s handy, to incite the base and keep those cash registers ringing.
A LAW TO PARENT
The main point of the Florida law is that it “empowers parents to be engaged in their children’s lives,” said Republican Rep. Joe Harding, who sponsored the legislation.
I would then ask Joe, why would it take a “Florida law” to engage parents? Aren’t they supposed to be engaged anyway?
I mean let’s be real. It’s safe to say that those whipping up this disgusting innuendo are only grooming their own path for a continued political career.
This column is by Ritchie Lucas, Founder of The Student Success Project and Think Factory Consulting. He can be reached at 305-788-4105 or email at ritchie@thinkfactory.com and on Facebook and You Tube as The Student Success Project.
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