Fact Check: School system is designed to make us into slaves

Fact Check: "School system is designed to make us into slaves"

What We Know

The claim that the school system is designed to make individuals into "slaves" is a provocative assertion that lacks substantial evidence. Education systems across the United States are primarily focused on providing students with knowledge and skills necessary for personal and professional development. According to a forum on teaching slavery in American schools, experts emphasize the importance of educating students about the history of slavery to foster understanding and critical thinking about social justice and equality (Teaching about Slavery).

Moreover, a study highlighted in Education Week indicates that while the teaching of slavery in schools is often inadequate, it does not support the notion that schools aim to indoctrinate students into a mindset of servitude or subservience (How is Slavery Taught in U.S. Schools? Not Well, Says Study). Instead, the curriculum often fails to adequately address the complexities of slavery and its implications in contemporary society.

Analysis

The assertion that the school system is designed to create "slaves" can be interpreted in various ways, but it fundamentally misrepresents the goals of education. The primary objective of K-12 education is to equip students with critical thinking skills, historical knowledge, and an understanding of civic responsibility. As noted by David W. Blight, a prominent historian, the purpose of teaching history, including the history of slavery, is to "explode complacency among students" and to introduce them to the complexities of human experiences, including exploitation and survival (Teaching about Slavery).

Critically assessing the sources, the claim appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of educational objectives. While there are valid criticisms regarding how slavery is taught—often glossing over the harsh realities and implications of slavery (How Slavery is Taught in Schools, Why Can't We Teach Slavery Right in American Schools?)—these criticisms do not support the idea that the educational system is designed to create a subservient population. Instead, they highlight a need for improvement in how sensitive topics are addressed in the curriculum.

Furthermore, the claim lacks empirical support and relies on sensationalist rhetoric rather than factual evidence. The educational discourse surrounding slavery often emphasizes the importance of understanding historical injustices to prevent their recurrence, which is contrary to the idea of fostering a mindset of slavery.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that the school system is designed to make us into "slaves" is unfounded and misrepresents the educational objectives of K-12 institutions. Education aims to empower students with knowledge and critical thinking skills rather than to indoctrinate them into a mindset of servitude. The discussions surrounding the teaching of slavery focus on improving historical education to foster understanding and social responsibility, not on creating a subservient populace.

Sources

1. Teaching about Slavery
2. How Slavery is Taught in Schools
3. Why Can't We Teach Slavery Right in American Schools?
4. How is Slavery Taught in U.S. Schools? Not Well, Says Study
5. Fact check: Does a new Florida curriculum teach that ...
6. How history textbooks reflect America's refusal to reckon ...
7. Texas curriculum glosses over racism, slavery, critics say
8. Teaching Hard History