ChatGPT infused Post
After my last post, ChatGPT: Kill it, or Use It?, I thought that I would use that very app to help write this post, and see what all the hubbub was about with this artificial intelligence writer. Of course, I was not going to have it write my whole post, so I thought it might be interesting to highlight with bold italics those paragraphs that I assigned to ChatGPT. It was rather easy once I decided what to ask. It actually helped organize and clarify my thoughts.
I decided to use the discussion topic from this week’s Twitter Chat, #Edchat. I asked ChatGPT to write an objective definition of “Woke”. That is a word that many politicians are using as a cudgel to attack public education and the educators who support education. With that definition we developed the topic: “Woke” is an attitude of awareness that brings together compassion and understanding to create positive social change. Why do some people object to that? Why is it a political issue affecting our education system?
The term “Woke” likely originated in the African American vernacular, initially used to refer to being “conscious” or “aware” of issues relating to social justice. Over the past decade, the term has been adopted by a broader audience and is now commonly used to describe a person who is socially and politically conscious or alert.
The liberal definition of “woke” is to be aware of and actively engaged in the struggle for social, economic, and racial justice. It implies the ability to become knowledgeable about the issues and work to challenge oppressive structures and systems. At its core, being woke means being aware of current forms of injustice, having the courage to call them out, and actively working to bring about change.
The far-right typically defines “woke” as a movement associated with the far-left that is focused on race, intersectionality, and identity politics. It is seen as an attempt to challenge and change the Western and European political, social, and moral order. They argue that it promotes “cancel culture” and an attempt to “de-platform” anyone who does not agree with their views.
After thinking about all that surrounds those definitions, I found myself reflecting on who I am as an educator. I believe that learning is the goal of education. I realize that teachers have limited time with their students, so my greatest contribution to their learning would be to give them the ability to learn and develop skills beyond the confines of the school building and continue to learn for the rest of their lives, lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is the concept of continually acquiring new skills and knowledge throughout one’s life. The key here is that their lives will continue beyond their educators’ lives. It will rely on the tech not yet invented, and ideas not yet conceived. Educators prepare their students to live and thrive in the students’ environment.
In addition, teachers and students have a relationship that enables the teacher to deal with the social and emotional issues of students. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to the process of developing skills related to recognizing and managing emotions, developing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. It is an integral part of education, enabling students to become capable and well-rounded individuals.
This is where some politicians claim “Brainwashing” is taking place in our “Woke” education system. Dealing with social issues and how they may affect students emotionally, and personally is a very important part of education. It is not Brainwashing. Brainwashing is a form of coercive persuasion where individuals are subjected to systematic and forceful psychological techniques in order to alter their beliefs, thoughts, values, and attitudes.
As far as the subject matter for educating students, that too has come under attack. We are all aware that February is Black History Month. Twenty-eight days of attempts to show off and quote some of the most famous of black contributors to American History. That whole month tends to lead us to believe that Black History is not American History. It is! Most Americans get their knowledge of the real Black contributions to American History from the movies and TV. I went through the public school system and I was never taught about The Tuskegee Airmen, Juneteenth, the Tulsa Oklahoma massacre, and probably a thousand more Black contributions, as well as an equal number of Black subjugations. I guess we all need to be “woke” about stuff that has affected such a large part of our American population. I don’t take responsibility for slavery, but, as an educator, I do take responsibility to admit and teach that it took place and it was supported by American laws. Contrary to some textbooks, that is why we fought the Civil War.
I grew up in Levittown, New York. My dad was a veteran, so, like thousands of WWII vets, he bought a Levitt home on the GI bill. That is why that community was built, to benefit returning vets. What was never mentioned, but openly known, is that Black vets could not buy a Levitt home in Levittown. Yeah, even as kids we were “woke” to a degree. That by the way was never taught in any of the schools in Levittown.
The educator in me should not be limited to black “Wokeness”. It should apply to any person of color who has been oppressed. It should also apply to people oppressed because of gender bias. It should also apply to the LGBTQIA community as well. As Americans, we seem to have oppressed quite a few groups of people. Many students are connected to these communities, so teachers need to deal with that as compassionately as possible. I guess we need to be “Woke”.
Some people feel it necessary to vilify being “Woke” because they fear the disruption and questioning of the status quo. Of course, that doesn’t make it right! Why do people experience apprehension concerning being “enlightened”? Maybe we need a few more “Woke” politicians.
Is it not our duty, as educators, to teach history and explore its impact on our culture? Should we not also focus on emotional learning and emphasize the importance of empathy? If that is considered ‘woke’, then what is wrong with it? ( I wrote the original thought and asked Chat GPT to improve upon it.)
I am concerned that more educators are not engaging in this debate. Educators are under attack throughout the country. Education is being attacked with censorship, book banning, character assassination, and Don’t Say Gay laws. Perhaps they fear verbal attacks that are not based in fact, but rather bias and ideology. I grew up in a culture that believed that if the facts were on your side, you would always win an argument. I now live in a culture where people cannot even agree on what a fact is, and that is a fact.
I firmly believe we need to have a respectful discussion on what we expect from our educators. The problem with that is many of our politicians are biased against education, viewing it as elitist snobbery. I do not know how to deal with that. All I can do is engage with those who are willing to listen and come to an agreement on facts. I have always been an educator, and I plan to continue what I have done for three-quarters of a century. If we are to better educate our kids, we need first to better educate their educators.
Thoughtful respectful comments are welcomed. Likes are also good.
About a year ago I didn’t know I was “woke” until I was called out by a ‘conservative’ for being so. Candidly, it wasn’t a term with which I was familiar. I was so happy once I researched the origin of the term that I thanked the conservative for his compliment and astute observation.
My experience was similar. Thanks.
Oh.. hi Tom, great post! Very much enjoy your use of ChatGPT weaved in with your own narrative —all the best, Bruce Wilcox
Thanks
Terrific post, Tom. You certainly helped me to better come to grips with ChatGPT. I think major innovations like this are generally scary to some degree.
I think that the substance of your post about “woke” is right on. As a fellow early Levittowner, I vouch for your observations about that period of our lives. There was much to appreciate about growing up there, but there was so much more in terms of informing us as future citizens that our education could have provided. I’m sure this is true for most Americans.
Thanks for your work and thoughts.
Bob Creamer
Thanks Bob. It always great to hear from childhood friends. I appreciate the chance to share what I do with people I grew up with. I also greatly appreciate your validation on growing up in Levittown. Hope to see you at the next class of 65’ reunion.
Tom
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