Video: A Black Homeschooling Mom’s Response to Harvard’s Elizabeth Bartholet

by | May 17, 2020 | Homeschool, Podcasts & Videos, Race

I’ve been watching from the sidelines trying to get my thoughts together on Elizabeth Bartholet’s call for a presumptive ban on homeschooling, but her latest interview has spurred me into action. She’s free to speak her mind, but I feel a responsibility to provide another perspective for those seeking the truth.

Aside from her erroneous assumptions and broad stereotyping, her maniacal desire to erode fundamental rights and control families and their educational choices, is quite frankly, terrifying.

I want to believe that Bartholet’s position is grounded in something she feels is right and that she’s trying to help, but her misguided goals and continual mischaracterization of homeschoolers makes it difficult to join her on anything beyond our shared belief that abusive parents (and teachers) should be held responsible for their actions because children are precious and deserve to be loved, cared for, and well-educated.

While there are many things in the Harvard Gazette article that I take issue with, I am particularly disturbed by this part:

Other dangers are that children are simply not learning basic academic skills or learning about the most basic democratic values of our society or getting the kind of exposure to alternative views that enables them to exercise meaningful choice about their future lives. Many homeschooling parents are extreme ideologues, committed to raising their children within their belief systems isolated from any societal influence. Some believe that black people are inferior to white people and others that women should be subject to men and not educated for careers but instead raised to serve their fathers first and then their husbands. The danger is both to these children and to society. The children may not have the chance to choose for themselves whether to exit these ideological communities; society may not have the chance to teach them values important to the larger community, such as tolerance of other people’s views and values.

– Elizabeth Bartholet, “A Warning on Homeschooling” (emphasis mine)

Her claim that some homeschoolers believe that “black people are inferior to white people” is certainly true, but homeschoolers don’t have a corner on the racism market.

RACIST PEOPLE SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL TOO.

And guess what?

THERE ARE RACIST TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS in and around schools every day, all day.

And yet, Bartholet lauds public school as a bastion of excellence in both virtue and academic achievement. Really? Who can even say that with a straight face?

I am in no way bashing school. Instead, I’m bashing the assertion that it’s the best option for all children. I think public school is necessary, and my husband and I have always been glad that our taxes go towards supporting the schools in our community. We care about our neighbors and their children, and we admire most of the teachers and other people who work together to serve the children in their care.

But to hold public school up as a beacon of light to which home educators should prove themselves worthy of matching is outlandish – especially for families raising Black children.

In essence, Bartholet seems to suggest that Black children (all children) would be best served in public school shoulder-to-shoulder with the children of “people who believe black people are inferior to white people.” To me, this sounds like we should sacrifice the well-being, education, and emotional health of thousands of Black children in order to make sure that some unknown number of racists’ kids get a break from their misguided parents.

Yeah. No, thank you.

We don’t get to control the crazy things parents say to their kids – even if the crazy things are racist. I think it’s detestable that some adults who homeschool – and those who put their kids in public school – are indoctrinating their children with hateful messages and ignorant thinking, but Elizabeth Bartholet cannot stop that behavior. I cannot stop that behavior. We are not allowed to take control of people’s children because we disagree with them, and for good reason. Forcing homeschoolers to enroll their children in public school in a foolhardy attempt to control the outliers is short-sided and incredibly harmful to my children and those who look like them.

To be clear, home education is one of the best tools that Black families have for pursuing a safe quality education while raising healthy, happy, whole children. Black families are increasingly choosing to homeschool, and any attempt to take the option away feels like a slap in the face.

Please do not let this go. Stand up. Speak up. We need your help. I’m not asking you to believe that home education is the right path for your family. I support your decision, whatever it may be. I’m only asking you to value and uphold parents’ fundamental right to choose what they know is best for their own children.

38 Comments

  1. Betty

    Very well said! And very articulate! May the Lord continue to bless your efforts in discipling and schooling your children. It is such a precious privilege and such a worthwhile investment. It makes me so happy to finally see more diversity in the homeschool movement!! A little taste of heaven!!

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Betty! It truly is a worthwhile investment, and I’m committed to being a continuous voice of support.

      Reply
  2. Tawanna

    You hit the nail on the head when you said it’s evil. No one knows your children or what’s best for them better than the caring loving parents. To say otherwise sounds like an agenda it can’t get with!!

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Exactly! It’s incredible that her agenda has received as much traction has it has. Total nonsense.

      Reply
      • Melody

        I could’ve said it better myself. I read the article as well, and was equally furious😡 I homeschool my 6yr old and there’s no better place for her education but homeschool. I stand behind you sister!!!!!!! 👊🏾Also, I would like to sign up with your homeschool group.

        Reply
        • HeritageMom

          Hi Melody! Thank you for your support, and I’m happy to hear that you understand and agree. We’d love to have you. Please check out http://www.heritagehomeschoolers.org for more info.

          Reply
    • K Kasberg

      But what about kids who end up with parents who aren’t caring and loving? Who is going to check on them?

      Reply
  3. wilma

    I wholeheartedly support your and any parent’s right to homeschool their children. Not every child that goes to a public school is assured a quality education. Teachers, I am sure, want to give each child the attention they deserve, but they are heavy class loads and definitely not enough hours in the day to accomplish this tasks. Children get overlooked and drop through the cracks of the system. Dedication to your job is key for most teachers. Certain religions have their own systems and no one questions those parents. Continued success as a Homeschooler!!!!

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Wilma! Your support is meaningful to me and other homeschoolers.

      Reply
    • Erika Alicea

      Very well expressed Amber! Our kids are not social experiments.

      I’ve also been on both sides of the fence, first as a classroom teacher and now as a home educator so I totally agree with Wilma above.

      If parents have the privilege of homeschooling and actually want to do it for the sake of their children, that is the freedom they should have. No government should have a say in that.

      Our country continues to move alway from the ideals it was founded on.

      I pray this gets to the ears of those making the decisions that affect the education of our kids everywhere. 💕🙏🏽💕

      Reply
      • HeritageMom

        Thank you, Erika. You’re absolutely right! Having been raised by 2 passionate educators, I’ve seen first-hand the sweat & tears many teachers pour into their students and classrooms.

        Reply
    • Catherine knight

      Did you see there will be a debate with Bartholet hosted by the Cato institute on Monday 6/15/20. You have to register.

      Reply
      • HeritageMom

        No, I didn’t! I’m going to look it up now. Thanks for the heads up.

        Reply
  4. Lauren

    Wonderful acknowledgement of this topic! Forcing people to be together to prevent certain actions isnt a strategic plan at all. It just ensures that we see those actions in younger children in a closed up building. Violent parents raise violent children. Just because they sit side by side nonviolent children doesnt mean that it will rewrite their actions and upbringing. Nature vs nurture, the old psychology arguement!

    Reply
  5. ChristinaH

    I just happened on your blog today (I found it through Alisha at Little Women Farmhouse), and as a homeschool graduate, I could not agree more. I can’t speak to racism specifically because it’s not something I personally have experienced, but the fact of the matter is that there are good and bad homeschooling families and good and bad public schools. I strongly believe that there should be some oversight of homeschoolers and that stronger regulations protect homeschooled students and their families, but banning or limiting it is NOT an appropriate or reasonable answer. That’s more about out-and-out abuse though- as far as homeschoolers having racist or sexist ideas, though, those things are bad and we should strive against them. The thought that you can eliminate bad ideas through public school, however, is both naive and chillingly dystopian.

    Reply
    • Keisha Johnson

      ChristinaH, I vehemently disagree with the idea that homeschoolers need a government check up. When you look at the public school model, the check ups on those children are money driven. And by check ups, I’m talking standardized testing.

      Test scores equal dollars, and the results are in. I don’t have the stats handy but millions of Americans read at an 8th grade level. Many public schools underperform but the people grading public schools are the very people who line their pockets.

      Surely those aren’t the people who should have the final say on what homeschoolers, a thriving and brilliant sector of their communities, should be teaching or how they teach their children.

      Reply
      • ChristinaH

        I agree that standardized testing is not the answer and that public schools need to be held more accountable for all the children they fail. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I grew up in a state which has notoriously strict laws, but never dictates what you teach. You do have to meet annually with a certified teacher and show that you are in fact teaching something and that your children are making progress.

        I truly understand being leery of government involvement but I believe that being able to and having to demonstrate that you are educating your children helps protect children against abuse and parents from being wrongfully accused of abuse.

        I’m not going to argue any further on this as it’s not the point of Amber’s post,I just wanted to clarify what I’m talking about and where I’m coming from.

        Amber, I’m sorry for the wall of off-topicness that was my first comment. Your blog is opening my eyes to so many gaps in my (overall quite good) education and helping me think how I can educate myself and do better for my own future children. You have a beautiful heart and I’m so glad you’re passionate enough to share it.

        Reply
        • HeritageMom

          I understand what you’re saying, and while I don’t agree on that approach (enhanced oversight of homeschoolers), I totally stand with you in the most important ultimate goal of homeschooling remaining legal in all states. I’m also very happy that you’re finding eye-opening information on my blog. I know that I’ve personally gotten so many wonderful ideas and insights from reading what others have written. Sometimes I stay up reading blogs late into the night…and I always say that I won’t do that again, but of course…lol.

          Reply
        • K Kasberg

          As a former homeschooler, more oversight wouldn’t hurt good homeschool families, and could save the lives of children who are not getting what they need at home.
          Teachers are mandated reporters and often help CPS identify which children need help. This is the government check-in she’s talking about and it can save lives.

          Even if there isn’t abuse in the home, the lack of access to diversity of ideas, ideas, curriculum, and cultural experiences is difficult and alienating for children as they transition to adulthood after homeschooling.
          If you weren’t homeschooled. You should talk to people who were.
          Just because someone homeschools their children does not mean they understand what is like to grow up as a homeschooled child.
          I’m not necessarily in support of an all out ban, but some common sense regulations and qualifications iare needed to protect children.

          Reply
  6. Greg

    I strongly agree with the mindset that our country’s current approach to “public” education is racist and or does more harm than good. Black children, especially Black boys, in my opinion, seldom get their civic motivation from such a whitewashed outlook.
    When I was younger, even before graduating H.S, I became obsessed with HBCU education because I felt tired of looking for any positive reinforcement from our country’s current, racist educational requirements or established model. Racist White contributions, despite how disrespectful and demeaning to me, were the only history underlined as good or celebrated,… And as doer vs sayers learners, being in an environment, in which Black male children were constantly being shown that they were mostly, just the slaves, perpetuated white supremacy… Even though both of my daughters now attend public schools, I’ve tried to enroll them in schools that challenges our current education system’s model, but most of those schools are being forced to close their doors because they are seldom well funded by our local governments… If I had my way or were capable, I would have adopted the home schooling model,…
    I have, however been, more and more of a back seat educator… I have thought my girls to do good in school, to exceed in spitting back the white bs, since it stands in their way of getting acclimated,
    but to refute the overall bs of how their ancestors are portrayed in science, math or history. I have also admonished them to focus on their ancestors, as be being rather first and not last, for such is the actual truth. I have, more importantly, underlined white contributions in the proper light that it should be viewed… Most children who look like them, may not have parents who have the time to both monitor or counter what our current education system may be teaching their children, so I completely agree with any Black parents who prefer or promote the ideas of homeschooling their own children. For I deem such as the best way to address the miseducation of our Black children.

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Greg. Ultimately, that’s what I want most…for parents to maintain the right to choose the educational path that best fits their goals and situation. I’m happy to see that you agree!

      Reply
  7. Felicia R.

    Wonderful and well said. I hope this goes viral. So proud of you for taking this stance and letting your voice be heard. Thanks Amber!

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Felicia! It was a tough decision about whether to speak out or not, but I definitely felt that I would regret remaining silent.

      Reply
  8. Alisha

    This is excellent, Amber. Thank you for writing this. Your thoughts on this topic are important!

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Alisha! It means a lot to me that you took the time to read it and that you approve.

      Reply
  9. Keisha Johnson

    Awesome take! It’s completely frustrating that so much of Bartholet’s stance is negated by actual data that she decides to ignore.

    I do think that Black and Brown homeschoolers need to speak up when questioned about homeschooling to say that it’s a safe space and public schools are not.

    Thanks for using your voice to speak up for the severely oppressed and poorly educated *double eye roll* less than 5% of homeschoolers, specifically the Black and Brown ones, the ones who are thriving.

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Keisha. I agree that we need to speak up so the truth can be heard above the rumors and assumptions.

      Reply
  10. Janet

    Love this. Well said.

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Janet. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  11. Josie

    Thank you for speaking out and helping fellow homeschoolers, as well as non home schoolers, think through these issues. I’m so happy to have found your blog/website!

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      You’re welcome, Josie. And I’m happy that you found it too! Welcome 🙂

      Reply
  12. Summer Smith

    Yes!! I detested that article. So completely ignorant.

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Pretty much. You summed it up well!

      Reply
  13. Mallory W

    Thank you for so eloquently wording this. I began homeschooling so my children had less time sitting still and more opportunity to play. But now I see how I can add to their world view. We spend time learning about other countries, specifically Asian and African countries this past year. We are looking to have a more full, accurate view of history, through eyes of ALL people that I was not exposed to as a public school student. My children will have a much wider view of the world, and stories of many races and experiences that they would likely not get in public school. I think many families out homeschooling long to do the same.

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      I agree. My children know more right now about every culture and historical time period than I knew when I came out of college. Sometimes I mourn the lost years of my shallow education, but I’m happy to be making a difference for my children and their counterparts.

      Reply
  14. Patty Wiebe

    I pray your voice is heard! <3

    Reply
  15. Jane Cabrera

    I hear you!! Listening to your every word and in total agreement.

    Reply
    • HeritageMom

      Thank you, Jane! I’m glad that you feel me on this.

      Reply

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