20: Katharine Birbalsingh: education and the new racism
Sep 1, 2019
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Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh discusses the failure of progressive education, challenges in setting up a free school, instilling respect in children, empowering inner-city youth through education, the purpose of education, impact of race on communities, and the intersection of Brexit, education, and racism.
Discipline is crucial for effective teaching and student engagement at Michaela Community School.
Progressive education can unintentionally limit opportunities for minority students by excluding classical works.
Overcoming racial challenges requires promoting self-responsibility and hard work over victim narratives.
Deep dives
The $5 Meal Deal at McDonald's and the Podcast Live Announcement
The podcast episode discusses the $5 meal deal at McDonald's, where you can choose between a McDouble or a McChicken, accompanied by a small fry, a small drink, and four piece McNuggets. Additionally, the episode announces a special live event of The Brendan O'Neill Show in October, featuring Rod Little. Tickets are available for the event on podcastlive.com, offering options for either attending only The Brendan O'Neill Show or purchasing an all-day ticket for access to multiple podcasts.
Catherine Birbelsing's Education Advocacy and Controversial Speech
The episode features Catherine Birbelsing, a teacher, educationalist, and writer, known for her strong opinions on education, discipline, patriotism, and race. She gained attention for criticizing the British education system in a 2010 speech at the Conservative Party conference. Despite facing backlash for her views, she founded the Michaela Community School in Brent, known for its strict discipline and high standards.
Discipline and Educational Standards at Michaela Community School
Catherine Birbelsing emphasizes the importance of discipline in maintaining a conducive learning environment at Michaela Community School. She highlights how discipline and educational standards are interconnected, with good discipline essential for effective teaching and student engagement. Birbelsing stresses the significance of consistency in discipline and immediate responses to misbehavior, alongside promoting gratitude and learning as essential aspects of student development at the school.
Racist and Elitist Components in Education
There is a discussion on the elitist and racist components in education that perpetuate discrimination. The podcast highlights how certain progressive approaches, advocating for less traditional education materials and more diversity, can inadvertently limit opportunities for minority students. It criticizes the idea of excluding classical works, like Shakespeare, and classical music, suggesting that it unfairly presents these subjects as inaccessible to certain racial groups, perpetuating elitist and racist beliefs.
Fatalism and Victimhood in Multiculturalism
The podcast explores the negative impact of modern discussions on race, promoting a culture of victimhood and fatalism among marginalized communities. By emphasizing racial divides and perpetuating a sense of victimhood, multicultural ideologies hinder progress and perpetuate a cycle of self-pity. It argues that promoting self-responsibility and hard work, rather than victim narratives, is crucial for achieving personal and collective success in overcoming racial challenges.
Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh joins Brendan O’Neill to discuss the failure of progressive education, the politics of racial victimhood, and the need for national identity.
