Conservatives concerned about 'left-wing' ideology being taught at US military schools
WASHINGTON (TND) — The debate over what is taught in America's classrooms is spilling over onto U.S. military bases.
One group is calling on Congress to use its power of the purse to try to make changes members say could corrupt the children of those serving.
Eruptions at school board meetings have sparked new debates about how subjects like diversity, racism and gender identity are taught in America's schools.
Now, there are concerns from conservatives about what's being taught at taxpayer-funded schools on U.S. military bases.
“They have a captive audience of school children on military bases. They don’t have other options in exercising their children,” said Ryan Williams, president of the Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank.
Williams points to videos that his organization obtained from the government that discuss gender identity concerning children as young as 4 years old.
The Claremont Institute’s findings are outlined in a new report called "Grooming Future Revolutionaries." Concerns include “peddling critical race theory, white shaming, queer theory and left-wing activism to children in its K-12 military schools through teaching methods."
“It’s to encourage children to share with their teachers, their preferred pronouns or maybe any secrets they may have about their sexual orientation that they might not share at home,” Williams said.
According to the Department of Defense, about 43% of active duty members of the military are people of color, many of whom would likely want their children to have the opportunity to learn about systemic racism, which is the history of why a significant socioeconomic divide remains between minorities and majorities.
Williams says his organization takes a different view.
“We reject at the Claremont Institute that all disparities are due to systemic racism,” he said.
Still, some of the highest ranking members of the military have expressed support for an inclusive education.
“I want to understand white rage and I’m white,” said Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “What is wrong with understanding, having some situational understanding of the country for which we are here to defend?”
Still, the Claremont institute and some Republican lawmakers are asking Congress to get more involved and provide more oversight on what is and is not taught at schools on U.S. bases and threaten to withhold funding if changes aren't made.
