What are You Going to Do when Disaster Capitalism Knocks on the Public-School Door?
“Schools will be closed until at least April 20, after the upcoming spring break, but could stay closed for significantly longer, Mr. de Blasio said.”
When I read those words in the New York Times article announcing that New York City schools would finally close, I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. For the past few days, I have been a vocal advocate for closing NYC schools. Knowing the impact that closing schools would have on marginalized children and their families who only have public education as their sole safety net, I still believed that we must close the schools to stop the spread of COVID-19. But then it hit me that for some disaster is the only way to fundamentally alter public education. Disaster capitalism is what Naomi Klein warned us about in her book The Shock Doctrine. And we’ve seen this play out in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria (they also tried in Houston but not sure how far they got). As that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach grew, one question formed in my mind: how many schools would not reopen as traditional public schools when this is all over?
Many children will do well online. Some will not. Many teachers will enjoy teaching online. Some will not. Many districts will like the benefits of online schooling. Some will not. I can’t predict the future, and neither can you. But what we can do is learn from history and history teaches us that public education is ripe for those who want to implement significant changes during the time of a disaster. So even if you think this can’t happen, I assure you some intend to make it happen whether you like it or not.
Some people immediately responded that everything would return to normal because parents need their children to go back to school, so this online schooling can’t last forever. But online schooling doesn’t have to happen at home. Online schooling can take place in a school building CONTINUE READING: Badass Teachers Association Blog: What are You Going to Do when Disaster Capitalism Knocks on the Public-School Door?