There is a new blog among homeschoolers posing an interesting question and an interesting challenge: Unity-N-Diversity. Unity in diversity is an interesting concept, one which I have sought long to uphold, but also one whose implementability I have come to question in recent months. Contrary to multiculturalism, which tends to fragment society by its overemphasis on external factors of race and ethnicity, the unity in diversity concept holds that we can have a sense of oneness despite other barriers. It is central to Christian teaching, as we unite as one body despite the obvious differences among us.
I touched on this concept before in my entry “America is an idea” as I reflected over the list of people who gave their lives at the Alamo. People of different faiths, different nations of origins, different races and different languages fought and died together other the banner of a single idea: liberty.
And yet the homeschooling community, as much as we value liberty and independence, does not seem to be able to find anything to unite on. There is such a sharp fracture between secular and Christian homeschoolers that I hesitate to really refer to us as a “community,” for what do we have in common?
To find unity, we must be able to define elements of commonality. A “higher good” that draws us together despite other differences. An ability to respect those differences, no matter how passionately we may disagree with them. Is that possible among homeschoolers?
Unity-N-Diversity tries to look at some of the causes of the schism. Unity starts with a sort of mission statement in the header of the blog:
The Home Education community has suffered division and polarization over the past 20 years. It is time to examine why this has happened and what to do about this unfortunate state of affairs. Hopefully this site will educate, inspire, and facilitate healing.
It is a noble goal. The main focus thus far has been on HSLDA and how this organization has served to marginalize the secular homeschooling movement, but there are other “issues” between secular and religious (particularly Christian) homeschoolers. And it begins with the most prominent graphic on the blog. I do understand the movement behind this button. It is part of why I eventually left Homeschoolblogger, although I was never and never will be a part of any formal boycott. I refuse to dismiss an entire blog network of people who have become dear to me based on the fact that their host accepts advertising from an organization I find objectionable.
I was on the Blogs Againt Hitting Kids list until I discussed why I thought the first boycott of the Carnival of Homeschooling was a gross overreaction to an entry that was completely benign. And the continual boycotting and refusing to participate in “community” events has grown tiresome. Even where I agree with the basic philosophy behind it.
The rhetoric is sharp and heated. And it isn’t just about corporal punishment. It is a deep philosophical difference.
I am not saying in this post that Christian homeschoolers do not have their own issues, nor that the lack of unity rests on the shoulders of secular homeschoolers. Unity-N-Diversity does a nice job presenting that side of the problem. But if we cannot even get together to have a Carnival of Homeschooling without controversy and comments about “fundie nonsense,” I have little hope in being able to find unity in our diversity.
I am not wholly convinced that we all even want it.
Update: This is the entry I referred to as “completely benign.” Doc takes issue with that assessment below which illustrates the rift perfectly. There are those who felt that they could not morally have their link on the same page as a link pointing to this entry without passively condoning it (via the carnival). These are the issues that I am talking about that go deeper than anything HSLDA does.
____
Please feel free to share your opinions, regardless of what they are. This post turned out more pessimistic than I originally intended. I really am enjoying this new blog and there are a number of subjects I want to research further. Ultimately, it is about what is best for homeschooling which is one of my favorite topics to discuss.
[tags]homeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolers[/tags]
Welcome to Roscommon Acres, my little home in the country. I write here about life more abundantly, from the joy of a baby’s smile to the almost unbearable grief of losing a son. I am seeking beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3).
Just place "Tiggy" in the subject line.
I came back this morning to get the link for the CoH and I found another great post from you, how Do you do it?
Apparently, something’s been said on the CoH?
I tend to avoid any controversy like the plague, even virtual controversy.
I do want to put my two cents in, here, though.
In homeschooling (regardless of whether you’re religious, or not) you find the most radical, idealistic people.
Christian homeschoolers get flack for not being “salt and light.” But we know we are “called” and say “not with my kid.”
I really can’t speak to a non-religious person’s reasons, but I’m sure they receive the same kinds of flack, for perhaps, “abandoning the school system; taking the best and brightest out.”
The homeschool world is a microcosm of the “real world.” You’ve got all types, only distilled. Do these people get along in the “real world.” Not generally.
While it is certainly noble to want unity in diversity, there has to be a willingness. That requires compromise. Among homeschoolers, I’d say that isn’t something many of us are used to doing.
And congrats on winning best Political (?) blog, even if it was from a controversial contest -sheesh.
~Christy
Thanks, Christy. And the controversy I mentioned is in direct relation to the first boycott. I don’t think there is anything going on with this one!
You make a vary valid observation, though. Enthusiasm for compromise is probably not the characteristic that first comes to mind when I think of homeschoolers. : )
I ranted about this a bit on my blog this morning.
My overall concern is the constant columnizing of folks by the media- you gotta fit into some category or other- and the fact that even folks who are skeptical of how issues are reported will drink media Kool-Aid if it supports some preconceived notion; for instance, all Fundie Christians are wackos who want everyone suffer eternal damnation. It seems to me that those who wax the most eloquent about what Jesus would or would not do have never actually read the New Testmament.
I have been reading Doc and COD and and Unity-N-Diversity, and while I would love to establish common ground with others who homeschool, regardless of their religious or political beliefs, I find it hard to get past the degrading and insulting references to Christians and conservatives. How does one engender unity when one is proposing “My way or the monkeyhouse”.
Ok, after my second cup of coffee
and further reading, I see that it was about another CoH, entirely. I have been to the U ‘n D blog and saw nothing but more anger against Christians than any thoughts on how you’d go about uniting people who hold opposing views that are fundamental to a person’s entire being. I asked the author for a post on that. I am interested in hearing their ideas. (But I probably won’t agree 
)
Christy, I think Unity makes a lot of valid points and raises issues worthy of discussion. Unfortunately, there is also the continual undercurrent which I think speaks volumes to why their is such division. If HSLDA didn’t exist, the schism would still be there. HSLDA is a convenient focal point, but I believe there are more and deeper issues.
I may be wrong, but I look forward to discussing some of it further. : )
Sunniemom, those are exactly my feelings. When people feel the need to cleanse their mouse and monitor after looking at a Christian website, there isn’t much hope. The idea of Christianity is too repugnant.
Completely benign. Right. And that’s unity for ya!
I think you’ve raised some good points. I tend to think the boycott is a misstep as well that doesn’t aid in unity. If we’re going to discuss things, we ALL need to be welcome at the table.
On the other hand, if we’re going to discuss something, we need to be able to honestly listen to criticism. In the recent fuss over the HSBs criticism of the HSBs has been met with personal affront and denial and change was made grudgingly. Granted, some of the criticism was very personal but there were also some good and fair points made that deserved real attention.
It’s tough. I think the best bet is for those of us who are willing to talk to keep talking and to turn the other cheek instead of taking offence.
I know its possible because I am a member at a fantastic message board that has everyone from conservative creationists to atheist lefties and we all somehow find stuff to share and laugh about and we all often disagree and manage to navigate the disagreement with maturity and respect.
//The idea of Christianity is too repugnant.//
But that’s the kind of gross generalization that throws a wrench in the works and that you’re complaining about yourself isn’t it?
Doc, that is exactly what I’m talking about. Do some Christians use corporal punishment? Was that really a shock to you? Most of America does, and not because the bible talks about the rod.
To equate her entry with child abuse is ridiculous. The entire philosophy behind it stands in direct opposition to the Pearl philosophy you were bringing attention to at the time.
The entry is here for anyone curious.
If this is worthy of a boycott and having people who cannot morally have their website associated with via being displayed on the same page in a blog carnival, than there truly is no hope for any sort of unity and it has nothing whatsoever to do with HSLDA.
Thank you, Dawn. I’m all for keeping communication open. Unfortunately, a lot of the reasoned arguments are lost in the venom.
It took me some time before I could find any argument against the family friendly policy at the HSBA that didn’t center on a personal attack against Heather, her faith or some other irrelevant detail. I think yours was the first I saw. I could just as easily argue against the policy as for it, depending on what is desired from the awards. It isn’t a big issue for me…but it has become something I’d just as soon not have any connection to.
They are volunteers and they did not ask to have their names slandered across the internet for doing what they perceived as a service to homeschooling bloggers and those that would be visiting the sites.
Or libeled…I think courts have actually determined that it is libel on the internet.
“… while I would love to establish common ground with others who homeschool, regardless of their religious or political beliefs, I find it hard to get past the degrading and insulting references to Christians and conservatives. How does one engender unity when one is proposing “My way or the monkeyhouse”.”
I agree. Although I sometimes visit the blogs that allege to be the real best homeschooling blogs and have found some interesting discussions and points raised by these homeschoolers, the vitriol and infantile name calling usually stop me from participating in the discussions. It seems to me that if you really want to find common ground with someone, a minimum of respect for that person, regardless of what you think of their beliefs, is necessary. Not referring to that person as a $^#@ing #(%@ might be a start.
I think that there is a point missing in this discussion. Dana brought up the diversity of people who fought at the Alamo. I doubt that those folks all sat down to Sunday lunch together on a regular basis. They came together out of a matter of necessity. I think that homeschoolers are a bit like a dysfuntional family. We can loathe each other and bicker back and forth because we are at liberty to do so. But let some Congressional member propose a bill outlawing homeschooling and we’d be marching together, arm-in-arm, down the streets of Washington.
I think if push came to shove, we would stick together. We would have to. Homeschooling wouldn’t survive otherwise.
And as soon as the threat was over, we’d start calling each other names again.
Dawn, I don’t know why your second comment got snagged for moderation, but it is approved now.
And no, I don’t think it does. If you see my remark as a generalization of how all secular homeschoolers feel, then the point is taken. But I’m referring to a specific comment on COD’s blog regarding the awards. Her repugnance of Christianity was expressed quite clearly.
(http://www.odonnellweb.com/?p=3879)
I have been thinking about this a bit, too. Not enough to actually post anything yet, but maybe this will be my spur.
All homeschoolers can agree that we love our children and want to do what is best for them. We also want the freedom to teach our children. We can be unified in that purpose.
Maybe one other thing we can agree on is that we don’t like to be judged. Is that the real issue behind the HSBA controversy? If we feel judged, whether rightly so or not, we tend to react according to our bent. I tend to withdraw and moan to my husband, but others may rant to anyone who will listen.
Thank you, Renae and Life on the Planet. And I hope you are right.
Three weeks ago, I started a post that was a lot more optimistic based on the unity I see amongst homeschoolers in Germany despite incredible differences in worldview. I think maybe I have read a few too many comments in association with the HSBA and it is getting to me more than I realized at first.
But there is a threat Germany and incredible motivation to work together. Here there isn’t. The motivation seems to be more to maintain our individuality and not be seen as a “group.”
And individuality is important, too. : )
The bottom line IMO is this- folks who do not wish to be lumped into one category with regards to homeschooling are fighting this characterization by lumping all Christian and conservative homeschoolers into one category.
That is just way too convenient. Categorizing people is intellectually lazy, because when you can categorize people and then dismiss them, you don’t have to deal with the relevant issues.
Being from California, multiculturalism is about so much more than race and ethnicity; it encompasses much of what you noted in your second paragraph on AMERICA IS AN IDEA…and even a bit more than that for us Californians. In fact, our teaching credentials now must include multicultural training to be issued.
One of the things that kept me from homeschooling for so long was the divisiveness that seemed so bitter amongst the homeschooling community, particularly if one wasn’t homeschooling for religious reasons. It is one of things that still keeps me feeling so isolated within the homeschooling community.
//Maybe one other thing we can agree on is that we don’t like to be judged. Is that the real issue behind the HSBA controversy? If we feel judged, whether rightly so or not, we tend to react according to our bent.//
I certainly think the HSBA team may have felt judged but I think the feeling from the other side was more exclusion. Especially when speculation abut why some of us had objections seemed to diminish complaints and explain them away as jealousy or something siilarily petty.
At the the same time I have to get that they are volunteers and to have a sudden storm of criticism can definitely knock a group of people back on their heels.
But when do we (me included as I’ve written snarky posts and comments) stop taking offense and start taking a sober look at the issue?
Dana – thanks for clearing me up on that point!
Life On The Planet – Great point. I’m not sure how much unity we can expect from a bunch like us. Even on legislative issues actually as the interests of some of us might be well served by homeschooling regulations that harm others.
It’s not just Christians. We were made not welcome in an eclectic homeschool group because we are “too materialistic.” I guess they were offended by our middle class suburban home. How dare we have a big screen TV and multiple computers when somewhere a hippie is living in a mud hut
The HSB boycott was/is completely legitimate. Not only does HSB help the Pearls spread a message that many find distasteful if not criminal, Gina’s callous attitude towards the whole thing was despicable. See http://www.odonnellweb.com/?p=2309 for the quote from Gina.
People get passionate about different things. Of the many things one can be passionate about, eliminating parental violence against kids is a pretty good choice.
//The idea of Christianity is too repugnant//
Had another thought about this (I’m going to end up camping out here!)
I sort of think I really should not get too upset by remarks about Christianity like that. It’s a good opportunity to reflect on how that makes me, as a christian, feel and note how similar remarks I see or toss off might make another person feel.
If a person comments on an HSB blog that they find homosexuality or liberalism repugnent do we feel as upset?
COD, I’m not talking about the original HSB boycott. As I mentioned, that had a lot to do with why I left, although I will not participate for my own reasons. I remember the quote you are talking about…(you can follow the links from the end of the post on the carnival linked above to see my thoughts on the Pearls and their teachings).
It is every subsequent boycott and not even that. It is the constant vile remarks made. If we could simply say, “I disagree with xyz” it would be a non-issue for me. I am not saying that secular homeschoolers are the only ones doing that.
I am merely asking whether we really want unity. Some do. Some I’m not so sure. There are issues that seem too divisive and at the same time too central to what we believe.
And the same goes for Christian homeschoolers. Please don’t think I’m saying this is all y’all’s “fault” if fault can even be an issue.
But let’s exclude the Pearls from this. I was initially set off by the reaction to Linda’s post (linked at the end of the entry). Some Christians do spank their children. What Linda describes is far from abuse…it isn’t even on the same plane. If we are going to divide over that, to the point that ethics is brought into linking (not just attention to a teaching as is the case with the HSB thing) there isn’t much point in talking about what principles could unite us.
Every one is ready and willing to criticize and condemn. Christians will walk around with their bible as if it were a club and somehow beating people with it will convert souls. I am truly sorry for that. Most of the Christians I know are rather timid in sharing their faith. It isn’t easy, especially when most of your social group is not Christian.
I homeschool for a variety of reasons, religion being among them. I fit in with religious homeschoolers and feel welcome for the most part. I do not know what it is like to be excluded as a homeschooler, but I’ve experienced it as a Christian because I do not adhere to certain principles some think are self explanatory and honestly I’ve received the worst insults personally from other Christians. I’ve experienced it politically when my fellow TFA corps members found out I was conservative…being shunned is not a nice feeling.
The only reason I brought in the TOS button on Unity’s blog is that if we want to discuss unity and how things can be repaired, maybe both sides can lay down their arms. That isn’t my blog, and I’m not asking for it to be removed. But if the intended audience goes beyond those who already agree with the stance, it might help with the discussion.
I agree with the basic principles behind it but even I feel that I am not really welcome because of it. It is just a thought, a musing, nothing more.
Hello Dana. Nice post.
I just wanted to say “thank you” for visiting my blog “The Historian’s Archives,” and for leaving your kind comment. I will begin posting very soon, and when I have, I hope you will enjoy reading my blog.
In the mean time, I will also read yours.
Thanks again.
Dawn, I think my spam muncher dislikes either you or discussion, but I promise your comments will all go through!
I really do not get all that ruffled about comments about Christianity. But if we want to ask the question of whether we can set some differences aside and unite on other issues, I think it is relevant to look at.
If these sorts of comments truly represent a group or subgroup or whatever, then they probably aren’t really looking for unity. I know the Christians making those sorts of statements aren’t. They will ask me why I care. What about 2Corinthians 6 where it asks what concord Christ has with Belial?
There are philosophical differences that divide us beyond HSLDA. We all think we are right.
Blogging is sort of weird because it is public and private at the same time. I make a comment on a blog that I don’t think much about, much like I might in my own living room…except there it is for all the world to see. I do not know that I want to be held to everything I’ve ever said in person or online. : )
But mostly I really am just looking at the philosophical question of whether we do want unity as a broad concept.
I think unity is only possible when the objectives are clear. We are NOT going to agree on methodologies, or curriculum, or philosophy, but we *can* agree that parents have the right to determine and direct their child’s education without interference from the government.
Do I *have* to agree with everyone else about spanking, religion, or which color M&Ms taste the best in order to reach this goal of ensuring our freedoms? If we aren’t accountable to the gov’t, we certainly don’t need to be looking for accountability from each other. I think civility is the best we can hope for, and quite frankly, it is enough for me.
The fact that we have time to dissent I think is partly an offshoot of the fact that there are no serious threats to homeschool freedom in the US right now. We have nothing that requires us to united, so we drift back more towards our natural state. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
What a wonderful article.
As those that have commented have said everything and more that I was going to offer – let me just say this.
What ever happened to individualism?
Those that want a good lesson on this should read Ayn Rand’s book, ‘The Fountainhead’. It predates her seminal work ‘Atlas Shrugged” and is a winner.
This may be too pie-in-the-sky, but I’d have to hold out hope that if there is ever a real legal/constitutional threat to homeschooling freedoms, we’ll ALL unite as homeschoolers behind the front of homeschooling: be it Christian, ultra-Christian, Jewish, non-religious, pagan, whatever.
I think if something ever does REALLY threaten our freedoms (and hey, let’s all admit the whole HSB, Pearls issue, CoH, and HSBA are small potatoes when you consider the whole realm of home education) we’ll all be able to fight for our rights TOGETHER.
The older I get, the more I realize that people are passionate about different things; As much as I know what *truth* is for me, I cannot make someone else prescribe to it. My mother calls it sticking my head in the sand, but it works—as long as me and my family are OK and doing what we want to do/feel like we should do, then who am I to parade around and shout at everyone around me about how they live their life????
I’ve quit saying I homeschool for religious reasons, but then again Dana, we’ve already had that conversation, haven’t we???
I homeschool because I want to homeschool. Simple, yes? But it works for me.
I enjoyed your post.
I do think if their was ever a serious threat to homeschooling we would all manage to set aside our differences and unite somehow.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said one group of homeschoolers feels excluded. They react to that by criticizing the group they feel is excluding them and then that group reacts to the criticism. It’s a vicious cycle. Hopefully one that we can break. Maybe one day we will get to the point when we can reasonably discuss things without the name calling and put downs.
Sorry for all the misspellings and grammatical errors. I hit the post comment button before proof reading.
Here are my thoughts:
Rebecca, very riveting commentary there. : )
COD, that is exactly what I am pondering. There is no serious threat. Is unity a goal? Is it something we want?
Mani, I LOVED The Fountainhead! And actually that is more or less what I was pondering this afternoon.
On thing that does seem pretty common among homeschoolers is a general desire to be left alone to do their thing, whatever that thing is. I can respect that.
There are deep philosophical differences that do not necessarily have to be resolved.
And Life on the Planet, you get an award. I can make you a button if you want, but my husband says you had the best comment of all. So congratulations. I know that means the world to you.
Thank you everyone for the pleasant conversation. I feel the need to be clear on this, but the examples I presented above were not presented because I was offended. That isn’t what this was about. It was just an illustration of where I think real unity may not be possible.
Boy, that was riveting commentary on my part, wasn’t it? There was *supposed* to be a link there, since I put my response in a blog post.
http://refincher.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/the-great-divide/
And there I thought you were just being snarky. : )
Dana said:
“And Life on the Planet, you get an award. I can make you a button if you want, but my husband says you had the best comment of all. So congratulations. I know that means the world to you.”
He liked me! He really liked me! *Sniff*
My new claim to fame…
**Best Commenter on a Homeschool Blog.**
I guess my fifteen minutes are up, huh?
I think you’ve only taken up about 2 minutes, so maybe you’ve got 7.5 more great comments in you!
By the way, if no one has read it, take a moment to read Rebecca’s post. She makes a very good point about the divide between secular and Christian homeschoolers. (And I know there are other groups…if anyone else wants to claim there place in the disunity they are more than welcome).
We represent two different movements with two different philosophical foundations. There has never been unity.
And maybe the current controversy and the attempts to remain distinct are actually indicative that at least we acknowledge there is another side?
Just a thought.
The anti-spam word is slow. Ha! That is me exactly. I have been pondering a post for a week now.
I propose that we do have unity. At least, I hope with all my soul that we do.
http://reflective.homeschooljournal.net/2007/12/20/unity-in-diversity/
Personally, I think unity is overrated and that pursuit of it is in fact a cause for division because it inevitably leads to someone saying “I’m all for unity but I don’t want to be lumped in with (fill in the blank).”
Thank you for your wise words, Kate. : ) Unity for the sake of unity is divisive. I was just looking at some of the other controversy at the Carnival of Homeschooling with the victory of an anti-catholic website.
I think I could rewrite this post now, after the discussion…and maybe I’ll add some concluding thoughts later…but I think that two things are important to remember:
1) The secular and Christian homeschooling movements each have different roots, different histories and different goals.
2) We never were united.
Would either side want to give up its philosophical ideals in order to be “united?”
I know my attitude has changed slightly this week about there being unity in the homeschool movement. My hope is that folks who believe in homes education also believe that parents can and should guide their children as they see fit. But after reading comments on how creationists and Christians shouldn’t be allowed to breed, much less teach, I am going to say that those hopes are very dim.
Dana – damn girl. Great post. Great discussion.
I’m wondering, do you happen to notice the rift in the homeschooling community reflects the rift in our American community? Is this a homeschooling issue, or an American issue homeschooling style?
Sunniemom – you said that we can all agree on the fact that we have the right to educate without interference from the govt. Unfortunately, we can’t even agree on that. What one person thinks is “interference” another thinks is just fine. To some, any law at all is interference, to others, certain laws are ok. To many, taxes aren’t interferences, to others, it is very much interference. To some, universal preschool is interference, to others, an opportunity. We can’t even agree on that basic tenet. (Not trying to start a fight on these issues. Simply stating that what we might see as basic homeschooling values aren’t all that simple or straightforward.)
Perhaps, an effective strategy towards unity is to accept that we aren’t united?
I will have to ponder on this, as I ponder on the sound of one hand clapping.
I will have to ponder on this, as I ponder on the sound of one hand clapping.
Great line, Tammy! I think that is the perfect summary.
I think you are right. There is a societal divide reflected in homeschooling…and perhaps it is intensified. After all, I would venture to guess that the vast majority of homeschoolers homeschool out of their deep seated convictions in something. Whatever that reason is, it is at the core of what we believe and what we want to accomplish in the world. It isn’t something any of us will lay down for a political advantage or any other goal because that reason is the goal.
And I know that I read at least one article in which a homeschooling mother was shocked that there was so little oversight when she began homeschooling. She felt that was a problem. Now, she may well change her mind over time (I don’t remember how long she had been homeschooling), but it does make clear that even on government interference in the homeschool, we cannot really assume agreement.
We represent two different movements with two different philosophical foundations. There has never been unity.
>>>>>>>
Actually Dana, this is not exactly true. And I think that this is something that a lot of us “newer” (and I include myself in that category even though we have been doing this for 6 years) homeschoolers don’t fully appreciate and something that I think that Unity and Diversity is trying to highlight so that it is not lost.
In talking with friends of mine who have been involved in homeschooling at a statewide level here in Virginia for a LONG time, they said that there was definitely more unity between both camps in the beginning, mainly because there was no internet so people had fewer options for finding people. And there was a shift when HSLDA came onto the scene (as well as the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which in effect closed a lot of church based private schools and led to an influx of Christian homeschoolers)…statewide groups associated themselves with HSLDA and gradually became more exclusive. Statement of faith groups became more prominent and previously inclusive groups either went under or lost many members. I have this from a very trusted friend of mine who most definitely is NOT anti-Christian.
The non-unity of the groups is much bigger than the TOS boycott to be honest with you. Most homeschoolers who are not in the blogosphere have never even heard of it. It really is small potatoes although it does illustrate the divide.
To me the bigger issue is how homeschooling is not seen as a diverse population…it is seen as being dominated by one religion and one political party and that just is not the case.
We have found here in Virginia that you can unite homeschoolers if you focus *only* on homeschool issues. We have an inclusive statewide homeschool organization that was founded by an evangelical Christian as a result of the increase in exclusivity that I mentioned above. The board has had evangelical Christians, non-evangelical Christians, Muslims, Jews, UUs, and atheists. They take no stands on issues outside of homeschooling (which IMO is where HSLDA does the greatest harm to homeschooling). They promote homeschooling as being made up of a diverse population “whose interests are served when homeschoolers are seen by government, news media, and the public as a diverse people united in their love of their children and in their valuing freedom to teach and learn at home.”
And it works. Here in Virginia, the inclusive statewide organization, the religious statewide organization and yes, even HSLDA have been able to put aside their differences and work together to improve homeschool freedoms (in 2006 we had no less than 3 good for homeschool law changes passed). Do they always agree ? Nope. But there is an amicability that was not there in previous years and I see that as a good thing.
I personally think that unity is easier to achieve at a state level than at a national level (I also feel this about homeschool advocacy).
I will also say that I personally do not care for the often dismissive tone that I hear from both sides of the aisle, both Christian homeschoolers and liberal homeschoolers. Which is a shame. Because it immediately shuts down communication and sets up an “us vs. them” situation from which nothing can be accomplished.
I don’t usually jump into comment debates but I was pleasantly surprised that this one was an actual *discussion* and that it was able to keep its civil tone. I just discovered your blog Dana and I have been really enjoying it. Thank you for the wonderful conversation. Much food for thought.
Sorry for the book…I may need to explore this issue a bit further on my own blog…but not until after the holidays!
Thank you, Stephanie! I agree…unity is easier on the state level. It really is where I think the whole discussion belongs, because education should be a state issue. I also think that COD made a very good point about the level of threat being related. So long as we are not threatened, we don’t have a huge reason to try to find what we want to unite on. In Germany, the degree to which the varying groups are able to work together and support each other amazes me…but then they are under threat and homeschoolers, regardless of their religious and educational views are being forced to flee the country.
I think it is perhaps a blessing that we are so secure in our liberties here that we don’t need to worry about “unity” to that degree here.
There is a problem with homeschoolers being viewed as a single entity with one purpose. But whose fault is it? If you look at any minority group, you will see the same sorts of things. All black people support the Democratic Party, don’t they? As do Hispanics? The majority tends to stereotype minorities, force them in a box and latch onto anything that confirms the stereotype.
HSLDA has contributed to that, but that alone isn’t really an issue I have with them. At least I view it as sort of tangential to this discussion.
The media has as well. Most reports confirm the stereotype and seem to have a measure of surprise when someone who isn’t conservative and Christian homeschools.
There was another comment COD made over at unity’s blog that I think might have something to do with it, too. Christian homeschoolers generally do have a good number of things in common in our goals…we have a structure within our religion that helps us organize. The statement of faith required by many is part of that because dissent is discouraged. You can view that as you wish, but so long as it is private, I don’t have any deep philosophical issues with that.
COD said something about his secular group being like herding cats…and I’ve read other comments in the past about secular homeschoolers not having the need to “be counted” or “march to the beat of a single drummer.” Such individualism is a wonderful part of being an American. But it does (if a true characterization) lend difficulties to organization in the absence of a threat to force it.
Anyway, thank you very much for noticing that this wasn’t really about the boycott. That was only an illustration of the divide which exists in so many other ways.
(And my commenters are the coolest…I haven’t had any conversations spiral that direction yet!)