Authoritarianism and the Politics of Exclusion

Authoritarian systems will employ a 'politics of exclusion,' and begin by targeting populations who do not have a lot of popular support in society. As they become successful in isolating these groups, they move in on groups that have a bit more popular support and compassion, but are still vulnerable. They continue in this manner until society is heavily striated, the bonds of community are weakened, and few folks if any have the ability to fight back anymore. Then they can do whatever they want.

Look at which groups are being targeted now and in recent years. Think about the calm rationale, along with the stereotypes, being employed for why we should fear them, not allow them around our children, and not welcome them into our neighborhoods or 'polite society.'

People needing abortions

Transgender youth and adults

Drag performers

People with substance use disorders

People with mental health disorders

Undocumented immigrants

Muslims

Black and Brown people, especially young men

People experiencing hunger, poverty, and/or insecure housing

People who were formerly incarcerated

Pay attention to the laws being passed in your state against these groups of people, which limit their freedom to live their lives and participate in society.

Pay attention to laws being passed that impose significant penalties on anyone who may try to help them.

Pay attention to laws being passed banning books representing diverse groups of people and their experiences or perspectives on historical events.

Pay attention to laws and policies and funding decisions that limit access to higher education for groups of people who are not currently privileged within a society, and may reduce the quality of education for students in public education systems.

Pay attention to praise being given and recommendations to emulate religious leaders who uphold authoritarian views, and disdain for religious leaders who challenge authoritarian views.

Pay attention.

If the list above reminds you of a famous quote, you may be thinking of Martin Niemoeller, a pastor who risked his own safety to speak up against the Nazi regime. There are several variations on the poem, which you can read from the link here: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/.../martin-niemoeller...

A Letter of (Enthusiastic) Consent

A Letter of Enthusiastic Consent

(In response to current proposed measures in the Iowa State Legislature).

I wholeheartedly give my consent for my children to read any book they wish that teachers and librarians find in their expertise as educators to have educational value and put in their classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries. I especially want my children to be able to read any book written by a person of color, a person of a different religious background or nationality, a person with a disability, or an LGBTQIA+ person.

I absolutely DO NOT GIVE CONSENT for a small group of bigoted religious extremists to ban any book from the public schools and libraries in my community, especially those which are first-person narratives or historical accounts from people of a different racial, ethnic, gender identity, religious, or disability background.

I wholeheartedly give my consent for any teacher, counselor, staff, or administrator to listen to my child and offer support and affirmation if my child needs a trusted adult to discuss gender identity, orientation or other concerns with them.

I absolutely DO NOT GIVE CONSENT for a small group of bigoted religious extremists to censor public school teachers, staff, and administrators from ever acknowledging racial, gender and orientation differences in the classroom, especially if it is acknowledging and supporting the identities of students in the classroom or students' family and loved ones.

I wholeheartedly give my consent for any teacher, counselor, staff, or administrator to use the name and pronouns my child may wish to be called, even if my child is not ready to tell me yet. I also affirm that I am fully accepting of my child for whoever they may be and will not engage in any form of verbal, physical, or psychological abuse towards them, nor will I kick them out of my home or threaten them with religious consequences if they identify as LGBTQ+. I am even willing to provide a safe home for any friend or classmate of my child who suddenly finds themselves in danger at their own home because they have come out, or been outed, as LGBTQ+.

I absolutely DO NOT GIVE CONSENT for a small group of religious extremists to put other students in potential danger in their own homes, nor to terrorize teachers, administrators, and staff with threats of heavy penalties, if they need to act or speak up to support the safety and wellbeing of a student in their classroom.

Our public schools need to be safe places for ALL students, and not just the students who belong to one racial, ethnic, or religious group at the expense of all others. Religious extremists are certainly free in this country to form their own private schools. Our state government has given them plenty of tax credits and financial incentives to do so, at the expense of our public schools already. They are even free to send a letter of their own to their child's teachers, staff, and administrators regarding which materials or curriculum from which they would like their child excluded. However, they do not have the right to obstruct other students' right to learn in a safe and diverse environment with adequate social supports.

I DO NOT CONSENT to have my public tax dollars used in any way to further the goals of a small, bigoted group of religious extremists to enforce their agenda on public institutions and put members of other religious, ethnic, racial, gender, disability, or any other demographic group in harm's way.