Often, educational traditionalists and political conservatives see our current schools as teaching a biased version of science and call for sticking to the “facts.” Given this sort of opposition, is there any hope for ecojustice in p-12 public schools? What sort of reaction do you think a Mumfordian regional survey might receive?
Sarah Riddick says....
ReplyDeleteReading about Mumford was a great follow-up to our Dewey readings because each featured specific yet different approaches to nourishing the growth of an individual beyond memorization, recitation, etc. Both authors recognize the value in the aforementioned activities but respectively stress the importance of an individual developing via schooling an appreciation and understanding for the environment surrounding them. In both cases, an effort to combat a certain level of socio-environmental ignorance can be seen; for Mumford, schooling in the vein of regional survey serves "as a method for social improvement" (Stemhagen 13).
From a brief explanation of Mumford's concept of regionalism, I think it would be quite easy for naysayers to fight the progress of such a movement in p-12 public schools. However, in such a case, I would argue that these people are ignoring the inherent opportunity for a richer sense of patriotism that would come with this type of schooling. Like Dewey, Mumford recognizes the value in an individual understanding the complexity and even frailty in the world around, a world which supports and nourishes her efforts as well as the society's. Such an understanding cannot be felt through memorization or recitation. In Mumford's view, "...genuine recognition of the importance of and a caring for the regional environment is necessary to repel the enemies of regional existence. Citizens who feel that conservation matters are most likely to exist if they have experienced regional survey as a form of education" (11).
With the proper pitch, especially in times such as these in which society is, supposedly, actively trying to combat environmental ignorance/disrespect, I think eco-justice could find a way into p-12 public schools. To do so, advocates should illustrate the well-rounded and developed appreciation for the community and thus the land around them, perhaps the deepest form of patriotism to be developed, and hopefully others will recognize that such consideration will help breed other thoughtful, considerate acts from the individual.