Pledging Allegiance: The Politics of Patriotism in American's Schools

What does it mean to be ''patriotic'' in the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001? And how have the prevailing notions of patriotism-loudly trumpeted in American media-affected education in American schools? In this wide-ranging and spirited book, renowned educational leaders, classroom practitioners, as well political activists answer these questions with insights, opinions, and hard facts. Contributors focus on critical issues related to patriotism and democracy in education including the social studies curriculum, military recruitment in schools, and student dissent. They investigate the ways our schools have changed since 9/11 and examine the efforts of educators who refuse to toe the new ''patriotic'' line. This timely volume provide a provocative yet grounded exploration of how schools are mediating national patriotic sentiments. What does it mean to be “patriotic” in the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001? And how have the prevailing notions of patriotism—loudly trumpeted in the American media—affected education in American schools? In this spirited book, renowned educational leaders and classroom practitioners answer these questions with insights, opinions, and hard facts. They focus on critical issues related to patriotism and democracy in education, including the social studies curriculum, military recruitment in schools, and student dissent.Contributors: Bill Ayers • Michael Bader • Robby Cohen • Sharon Cook • Louis Ganzler • Gerald Graff • Diana Hess • Joseph Kahne • Robert Jensen • Gloria Ladson-Billings • Deborah Meier • Ellen Middaugh • Pedro Noguera • Cecilia O'Leary • Diane Ravitch • and Joel Westheimer; Commentators: Bill Bigelow • Héctor Calderón • Edwin C. Darden • Peter Dreier • Delaine Eastin • Chester E. Finn • Jr. • Dick Flacks • Maxine Greene • Joan Kent Kvitka • James W. Loewen • Walter Parker • Charles Payne • Cindy Sheehan • Karen Emily Suurtamm • Studs Terkel • Denise Walsh.“What does it mean to be a democratic citizen? And what kind of education produces one? For the past two decades, Joel Westheimer has been one of North America's most knowledgeable and able guides to these critical issues. Along the way, he has forced us to reconsider the larger goals and purposes of our public schools. His book will provide an invaluable roadmap for anyone who asks the big questions, no matter what they think of his answers.” —Jonathan Zimmerman, New York University“The essays in this book come at a critical moment and should be welcomed by anyone who is concerned that the values of peace, of democracy, be held high by the coming generation.”—From the Foreword by Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States“A valuable sourcebook for those who are uncertain about what patriotism is and, even more, for those who are certain that they know.”—Howard Gardner,author of Five Minds for the Future“By bringing together diverse and often divergent perspectives of patriotism, Pledging Allegiance opens to critical scrutiny the very idea of loyalty to a country. In doing so, it not only offers a useful educational resource but also performs a valuable political service. I can't think of many books more likely to stimulate deep reflection and spirited discussion, and these activities, after all, are integral to democracy itself.”—Alfie Kohn, author of What Does It Mean to Be Well Educated? Introduction -- Once Upon A Time When Patriotism Was What You Did / Gloria Ladson-billings. No Black In The Union Jack : The Ambivalent Patriotism Of Black Americans / Charles M. Payne -- Educators In The War On Terrorism / Pedro Noguera And Robby Cohen. Children Are The Living Message We Send To A Time We Will Not See / Delaine Eastin -- The Psychology Of Patriotism / Michael J. Bader. Second Fiddle To Fear / Denise Walsh -- On Patriotism And The Yankees: Lessons Learned From Being A Fan / Deborah Meier. Patriotism, Nationalism, And Our Jobs As Americans / James W. Loewen -- Another Way To Teach Politically Without P.c. : Teaching The Debate About Patriotism / Gerald Graff. Pledging Allegiance / Walter C. Parker -- Patriotism Is A Bad Idea At A Dangerous Time / Robert Jensen. Patriotism Makes Kids Stupid / Bill Bigelow -- Celebrating America / Diane Ravitch. Teaching Patriotism--with Conviction / Chester E. Finn Jr. -- Hearts And Minds : Military Recruitment And The High School Battlefield / William Ayers. Weapons Of Fatal Seduction : Latinos And The Military / Héctor Calderón. A Small Space Of Sanity / Studs Terkel -- Is Patriotism Good For Democracy? / Joseph Kahne And Ellen Middaugh. I Solemnly Swear / Joan Kent Kvitka -- Patriotism And Ideological Diversity In The Classroom / Diana Hess And Louis Ganzler. Toeing The Line And The Law : First Amendment Rights In Schools / Karen Emily Suurtamm With Edwin C. Darden, Esq. -- Patriotism, Eh? The Canadian Version / Sharon Anne Cook -- Patriot Acts : This Isn't The First Time / Cecilia O'leary. Patriotism's Secret History / Peter Dreier And Dick Flacks -- Politics And Patriotism In Education / Joel Westheimer. Poetry And Patriotism / Maxine Greene. Patriotism By The Numbers / Cindy Sheehan. Joel Westheimer, Editor ; Foreword By Howard Zinn. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 198-206) And Index. Introduction Once upon a time when patriotism was what you did / Gloria Ladson-Billings. No black in the Union Jack : the ambivalent patriotism of black Americans / Charles M. Payne Educators in the war on terrorism / Pedro Noguera and Robby Cohen. "Children are the living message we send to a time we will not see" / Delaine Eastin The psychology of patriotism / Michael J. Bader. Second fiddle to fear / Denise Walsh On patriotism and the Yankees: lessons learned from being a fan / Deborah Meier. Patriotism, nationalism, and our jobs as Americans / James W. Loewen Another way to teach politically without P.C. : teaching the debate about patriotism / Gerald Graff. Pledging allegiance / Walter C. Parker Patriotism is a bad idea at a dangerous time / Robert Jensen. Patriotism makes kids stupid / Bill Bigelow Celebrating America / Diane Ravitch. Teaching patriotism with conviction / Chester E. Finn Jr Hearts and minds: military recruitment and the high school battlefield / William Ayers. Weapons of fatal seduction : Latinos and the military / Héctor Calderón. A small space of sanity / Studs Terkel Is patriotism good for democracy? / Joseph Kahne and Ellen Middaugh. I solemnly swear / Joan Kent Kvitka Patriotism and ideological diversity in the classroom / Diana Hess and Louis Ganzler. Toeing the line and the law : first amendment rights in schools / karen emily suurtamm with Edwin C. Darden, Esq. "Patriotism, eh?" : the Canadian version / Sharon Anne Cook Patriot acts : this isn't the first time / Cecilia O'Leary. Patriotism's secret history / Peter Dreier and Dick Flacks Politics and patriotism in education / Joel Westheimer. Poetry and patriotism / Maxine Greene. Patriotism by the numbers / Cindy Sheehan. What does it mean to be patriotic in the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001? And how have the prevailing notions of patriotismloudly trumpeted in the American mediaaffected education in American schools? In this wide-ranging, thoughtful, and spirited book, renowned educational leaders and classroom practitioners answer these questions with insights, opinions, and hard facts. Focusing on critical issues related to patriotism and democracy in education, including the social studies curriculum, military recruitment in schools, and student dissent, this timely