I understand the phrase “saying the quiet part out loud” has become quite an overused cliché. But in this case, it still fits. While folks on the left have repeatedly shown that they believe the government should have the primary role in influencing children’s minds, some of them have been saying so publicly.
Virginia Democrat Jessica Anderson, who is running for the state House of Delegates, is facing backlash after a TikTok video showing her criticizing parents involved in their children’s education went viral. In the video, Anderson attacked parents speaking out about the material being included their children’s curriculum, suggesting they should homeschool if they want to indoctrinate them.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve seen some of the parents that live in Virginia,” Anderson said in the video. “You should not be dictating what your daughter and son’s curriculums look like.”
“If you want to do that, there’s a thing called homeschool. Indoctrinate them there, but not in my kids’ public schools,” she continued.
🚨Jessica Anderson, a Democrat running for Delegate in District 71, recorded a TikTok trashing Virginia parents who are involved in their children’s education as “crazy.”
We need to elect Republicans who believe #ParentsMatter – just like Governor @GlennYoungkin famously said. pic.twitter.com/pXhV2Fso8e
— ROOZ (@ROOZVA) May 4, 2023
Later, Anderson denied using the term “crazy” to describe parents, and she walked back her comments, saying that she believes in questioning and being involved in the education process but not letting individual parents dictate the entire curriculum.
The candidate told Fox News Digital that she did not use the word “crazy” to describe parents.
“I would never state that as someone who loves my students and their families in this community,” she said. “As a mom to three daughters, two of which are still in public school, I absolutely believe we should be able to question our students’ education, push back if necessary, and have an active role in the education process.”
“I have always advocated for that publicly and privately,” Anderson continued. “I support EVERY parent, every step of the way. I’ve also seen incredible communication between our teachers and parents in my district, when concerns arise.”
Her comments were met with criticism, with some arguing that she is not capable of representing all of the parents in her district.
Education has become a prominent issue in Virginia, particularly after the 2021 gubernatorial race, where Youngkin emphasized the involvement of parents in their children’s education.
Anderson’s stance on parental involvement in education undermines the fundamental role that parents play in shaping their children’s learning experiences. By dismissing parents who want to have a say in their children’s curriculum as wanting to indoctrinate them, Anderson displays a lack of respect for parental rights and fails to recognize the value of parental engagement in fostering successful educational outcomes. But it is par for the course, when it comes to how progressives approach education.
Parents have a vested interest in their children’s education and should be encouraged to be active participants in the process. They are in a unique position to understand their children’s individual needs, values, and aspirations. By engaging with teachers and school administrators, parents can contribute valuable insights and perspectives that can enhance the educational environment. Dismissing their concerns as an attempt to dictate the entire curriculum is dismissive and disregards the collaborative nature of education.
Interestingly enough, Anderson’s suggestion that parents should homeschool is correct, but not for the reasons she thinks. The bottom line is that government-run schools exist primarily to indoctrinate the youth more than to educate them. But, not all parents are in a position in which they can exercise this option for their children. Still, the fact remains that the less the government is involved in education, the better it will be for the public, which is why school choice measures are a step in the right direction.
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