This week, I was challenged to find sources of media that differ from my normal input. Much of the content we consume is spoon-fed to us and offers us that with which we already agree. The most challenging part of this endeavor was finding sources. It took several searches to get past left-leaning content. Once I started searching for “conservative education media”, I came across several websites and podcasts that fit the criteria for this assignment.
The source I ultimately spent the most time with was a podcast called The Conservative Classroom. This podcast’s host is an educator from Texas who interviews conservative educators, and other related people to discuss issues in the American education system through the lens of conservative values. Many episodes relate to freedom of speech and the prioritization of liberal values in classrooms.
The most surprising part of my experience as a listener to this podcast is that many of the issues they name, I also identify as problems in education. However, the differences come in how we categorize the issues and want to approach them. For example, we agree that students should feel safe in the classroom. I would argue that means teachers should affirm the gender of their students, but the host would say the opposite.
When I zoom out to consider the media bubble I am in, I am glad to not be fed such content. It does not feel good to be forced to confront some of these ideas. However, I want to be able to access them. I want to engage when I am in a headspace to do so. Further, the nature of the internet and social media pushes the content to its extremes. I would appreciate more media of differing views without extreme fundamental differences that create such friction.
References:
Mr. Webb. (November 15, 2023). E33: Navigating the Web of Misinformation with Daniel Street, Author of “Fake News Exposed”. The Conservative Classroom. https://www.theconservativeclassroom.com/2166426/13967615-e33-navigating-the-web-of-misinformation-with-daniel-street-author-of-fake-news-exposed
The Right Wing Teen. (2016). Top 10 Conservative Education and Advocacy Websites. Home Schooling Teen. http://homeschoolingteen.com/article/top-10-conservative-advocacy-and-educational-websites/