Ask a Teacher: My Child's Class is Reading Rush Limbaugh's Books

[minoanmiss]

I have an 8-year-old in third grade, and I found out yesterday that they are reading the Adventures of Rush Revere series in class. I know they are children’s books and don’t contain the kind of vitriol Limbaugh is known for, but I am still concerned about the subtle messages he may be receiving about Native Americans and black people and their place in American history. Am I overreacting here? Should I talk to his teacher about my concerns? I’d like to take a thoughtful approach rather than one of outrage.

—Trying Not to Rush Judgment


I don’t think you’re overreacting. If my daughter was reading the Rush Revere books in class, I would also wonder why the teacher or school district would choose such a polarizing author when so many other quality titles are available. It strikes me as a foolish decision that is likely to create problems in the future.

But knowing that the class has already begun reading the books, I would also recognize the futility in convincing the teacher to change course at this time. The text could also be a part of the school or district curriculum, which would make a change even more challenging and unlikely.

Instead, I would view this as an opportunity. Find out which books your son is reading and get yourself copies of each one. Read them, too. Find out for yourself if these books contain any subtle messages about minorities and their place in American history. Begin a conversation with your son about explicit and implicit bias and the importance applying a critical eye to everything we read. Encourage your son to ask questions about authors and their possible motives when writing. Turn this into an opportunity to help your son become a more critical, thoughtful reader.

If you do find those subtle messages while reading the books, document your findings and only then bring your concerns to the teacher, well-armed and well informed. It’s entirely possible that the teacher does not know anything about Rush Limbaugh and that these books were chosen based upon a recommendation or even based on cost. Having the evidence to support your position will be important if you hope to eliminate these books from future classrooms.

—Mr. Dicks

Comments

[sporky_rat]

It’s entirely possible that the teacher does not know anything about Rush Limbaugh

I beg your possum, what the everliving fuck?

[feldman]

Does she feel the polite response to bad faith is to treat it like an improv exercise?

[conuly]

Yeah, for serious. Does that teacher live under a rock?

[sporky_rat]

My sixteen year old nephew knows who Rush Limbaugh was and Is Not A Fan.

Surely this teacher knows.

[lilysea]

My sixteen year old nephew knows who Rush Limbaugh was and Is Not A Fan.

I'm an AUSTRALIAN who has never stepped foot in the US [not even Hawaii or Alaska or Puerto Rico!]

and I know who Rush Limbaugh is!

Mainly because of this satirical song:

https://youtu.be/H6uanHlJDI4

Coming from Canada, we love those leaders who personify the US way to be
There was JFK, and LBJ, and WKRP
But of all of these there is not one to rival the greatest genius of them all
He's a megalo with a healthy glow
He's the man called Rush Limbaugh
(Mike)
He's a dose of P.T. Barnum
(Murray)
With a Mussolini twist
(All)
There in the limosine, parked on the lawn
He's a goofy Genghis Khan

Not since Jesus Christ has the world seen someone
With such widely sindicated views
Hundreds of years from now they'll celebrate Rush-mas
And Rush-ashana for the Jews
'Cause he'll pull the plug on femi-nazis, paranoid minorities and gays
He's a burning bush with a network push
Sure to start a country-wide blaze
(Mike)
He taught me to love and praise Charlton Heston
(Murray)
Oliver North is quite a nice man too
(All)
Forget Al and Tipper
Let's bring back the Gipper
And Joe McCarthy too!

(Mike)
I was a troubled soul, consumed by voices
Advocating special interest groups and vice
'Till Rush rushed to my sweet rescue
Now I'll never ever hafta think twice
(All)
Never ever hafta think twice...

(All)
So we'll sign a check for Limbaugh-ism
Restore the moral fundamental core
We'll cut the debt
And start a Tet
Offensive on the poor
It's a blitzkrieg in the making, (everybody!)
It's distinctly upper-class (well, not everybody!)
Yes, sir, I'll get the door
Roll the carpet on the floor
For a man...
For a man...
For a man...
Such a man...
For a man....With his head up his- Ask us the name the name of the King - It's Rush!

[melannen]

I work at a library and moms do in fact check out his kids' books who are surprised to learn he was ever anything but a writer. He hasn't really been politically relevant to people under 50 for a decade now.

I mean, you'd hope a teacher would at least do minimum checking, and you'd hope an American history teacher would know the name at least, but if she wasn't trained in history specifically and it was recommended by a trusted source I can honestly see the name not ringing enough of a bell to check. It still doesn't say anything good about her as a teacher though.

[ekaterinn]

It's third grade, so it's likely that the teacher has only had a general social studies methods course in college.

Of more concern is that many schools restrict time for social studies since it is not a tested subject. This could be the main way the students are getting taught American history.

[melannen]

That someone would be teaching American history who only has one general social studies methods course and no particular interest in the topic is its own indictment of the system but that's not news.

[cereta]

My older brother was assigned a middle-school English class one year. He had no real training in teaching English, and frequently says he only reads one book a year. I about cried.

[shirou]

I am a millennial and am good at avoiding rightwing vitriol in the media. I have never heard Rush Limbaugh speak nor read anything he has written. But I know who he is.