More on HSLDA

In the comments on my last post about HSLDA, Susan brings up a couple of issues that I think are worth additional discussion. Since I tend to be so wordy, I figured that it would be best to start a new post rather than respond in the comments. The two issues, as I see them, are:

1. Concerns over infighting over HSLDA among homeschoolers. That many tend to reflexively oppose anything and everything that HSLDA does (which might result in overlooking actual problems) and that this reflexive opposition causes needless division in the homeschooling community.
2. Whether the health care debate really is a “very partisan political” debate at the grassroots level and whether homeschoolers should be concerned.

These are two big issues, so I am going to take them one at a time, starting with the reflexive response of some homeschoolers to HSLDA. Susan writes:

HSLDA interfered (unsuccessfully) in a behind the scenes way with IL homeschooling freedoms. They are lawyers and the more laws, the better for them. Often, their actions seem no different than a government bureaucracy. (I ‘dual-purpose’ homeschool for learning freedoms reasons and to keep government infringements away from my family.)

Homeschooling is a political act. Sometimes hslda gets it right regarding protection of homeschooling freedoms, which should be under the umbrella of family freedoms. I’d rather HSLDA didn’t exist, but at the same time, I can’t react negatively to everything they do. (I understand that the VA-Homeschoolers group doesn’t react in such a universal manner.) It turns too many of my homeschooling companions off. We don’t need that in this day and age of state and federal law increases concerning various aspects of our family lives.

First off, I want to clarify that I am speaking only for myself here, NOT as a representative of VaHomeschoolers. The VaHomeschoolers board is made up of people with diverse political views (and was founded by two evengelical Christians) and, in my opinion, is proof that homeschoolers of all stripes can put aside their political differences and work together for homeschool freedoms. The viewpoints I express on this blog are my personal opinions only.

I actually agree with Susan about not reflexively opposing everything that HSLDA does and the importance of not dividing the homeschool community. I do know people who portray HSLDA as evil-incarnate and who wish to bring about their demise. I am not one of those people. It seems like a waste of time to me and I have better things into which to put my energy. I would rather put my time and energy into working for homeschool freedoms rather than against HSLDA. So that is exactly what I do.

I think that my work with VaHomeschoolers (where we coordinate with both HEAV and HSLDA (whose headquarters is here in Virginia) as well as my work as a moderator of VaElecticHS (an inclusive statewide homeschool email list) has helped me learn how to share my viewpoint while being respectful of others with differing opinions (at least I hope so!) With 1,200+ members on VaEclecticHS, we have many members who do not share my beliefs and many who are HSLDA members and I by no means wish to alienate any of them nor make VaEcleticHS somehow an unwelcoming place for them.

However, I do not feel that this means that I need to be quiet and not say anything when HSLDA is mentioned. What I focus on is that here in Virginia it is very easy to homeschool and there is a lot of support (both at the local and statewide level). The likelihood of “needing a lawyer” is very slim and most issues that arise can be easily handled (and in some instances can be better handled) without involving lawyers. I also point out that some homeschoolers are also not comfortable with HSLDA’s mixing of political causes with homeschooling and feel that it hurts homeschooling politically to be associated with controversial non-homeschool issues (regardless of whether they support those issues).

But I also state that this is my viewpoint and that everyone needs to make their own decision about what is best for their family. I don’t see my role as stopping people from joining HSLDA (not my place nor my decision). But I do feel that it is ok to provide an additional information for new homeschoolers who may be nervous and think that homeschooling “insurance” is something that is necessary and who may also not be aware of the political activities of HSLDA. Providing an alternate viewpoint helps each family make a more informed decision. And if done in a respectful manner, I don’t think that it has to cause division in the homeschooling community.

My previous post about HSLDA not speaking for me, was less about HSLDA and more about wanting homeschoolers to be seen as the diverse community it is. The more that liberal homeschoolers (and conservative homeschoolers who do not wish homeschooling to be politicized) speak out, the less we will be pigeonholed into a particular stereotype. Again, I am just not comfortable being silent and letting an organization that I do not agree with speak for me. Respectful yes, silent no.

As far as the second point about health care as a homeschool issue, I think I will save that for another post. Of course that means that I need to find time to write it, but I will give it my best shot. Things are fairly busy around here and I can’t believe that summer is almost over. But I hope to have time because I think it will help me sort out a bunch of thoughts that I have on the issue…of course it might also open up another whole can of worms, but that is what makes blogging fun, right? Discussing and fine tuning ideas and opinions. All good in my book.

Comments

[Susan]

Hi Stephanie, you said I would rather put my time and energy into working for homeschool freedoms rather than against HSLDA. So that is exactly what I do.

That is the place I've come to, as well. I believe that continually pointing out dividing lines created many years ago only accentuates dividing lines, rather than trying to heal those ugly wounds.

I'm distressed when I see a homeschooler pointedly label themselves as this or that type of homeschooler, in order to proclaim they're not 'that other type of homeschooler'. "Evolved homeschoolers" comes to mind. People can do what they want, but there's no homeschooling unity involved with that effort. Maybe there won't be any more, but that attitude seems to say, "I'm Not With Stupid", just as I know there can be similar condescension on the other end of the spectrum.

It's easiest for me to explain HSLDA as a bunch of lawyers clear over in Virginia that make a living interpreting laws. The more laws, the better for lawyers. They haven't disproved that theory with the increased legal and legislative documentation they've pushed through in various states and federally. Ironically, they seem to be the epitome of bureaucracy.

Regarding the health care kerfluffle and Barney Frank's 'meeting' the other night, it was enjoyable for me to appreciate Sheila Leavitt's (former pathologist) homeschooling and mothering advocacy, even if I don't agree with most of her political views.

I haven't studied the health care reform bill, but have become very suspicious of Chicago reform, as suffered in the state of IL. There have been increasing amounts of universal mental health screening in state and federal legislation, Gardasil mandates, et al for kids and moms,including homeschoolers. With the ridiculous socialization issues constantly popping their head up, I'd rather be preventative than reactive on homeschoolers' behalf.

[Crimson Wife]

Interesting couple of posts. Like Susan, I get frustrated by all the divisiveness in the homeschool community over political ideology and religion. Why is it so hard to just agree to disagree about these "hot button" issues? A little bit of civility towards each other would go a LONG way. You are entitled to your opinion as I'm entitled to my own, but let's be respectful and refrain from denigrating those with whom we disagree.

[Stephanie]

Thanks for the comments. I know that I have always tried to be respectful of other people's beliefs and I hope that is how I come across. I have seen people on both sides denigrating the other and personally I feel that there is too much of that in this country. And it is too easy to see some rude people on "the other side" and translate that into being *everyone*.

Susan, I loved your post about Sheila Levitt and I do agree with you that if more people on both sides got to know each other personally, we would more than likely find a lot that we could agree on. I think this goes for oh, so many issues. I find that on homeschool lists where people meet in real life, the "methodology debates" tend to be much more civil and less strident.

I actually do enjoy talking with people/reading blogs with different viewpoints than my own and I have found that it is easier to do so when there is something in common. I enjoy reading Spunky's blog (even though I rarely agree with her) and I enjoy Dana over at Principled Discovery. I also made the foray into conservative blogs with Ron from Crunchy Con (can find common ground with natural living and homeschooling) as well as Andrew Sullivan. I really have trouble getting past yelling and hyperbole, so I can't quite get to where I can stomach folks like Rush. :o)

I actually have no problem with homeschoolers who do not share my political beliefs...nor do I have a problem with them expressing those beliefs. Where I do feel the need to speak up though is when a national homeschool organization such as HSLDA starts mixing homeschooling with other non-homeschooling issues. If HSLDA stuck only to homeschool issues, I don't think that you would see as many people feeling the need to "declare" themselves "on the other side". But when you have HSLDA positioning "homeschooling" on one side of a political debate, you are going to find homeschoolers who do not agree with them politically, speaking up to counter the idea that *all* homeschoolers agree with their political views.

Still trying to find some time to post my thoughts on mixing causes. I certainly don't mean to say that homeschoolers could not or should not be interested in or concerned about issues such as health care. Just that in cases such as these, that do not *directly* affect homeschoolers but instead affect *everyone*, I feel it is best politically to leave homeschooling out of it. Fight for or against it all you want, just do not portray the fight as "homeschoolers for/against {insert cause here}". Positioning homeschoolers as for or against specific non-homeschooling issues just hurts homeschooling overall, IMO.

[Susan]

Sorry to be so late in responding. My frustrations were not directed at you specifically, Stephanie. Sorry I ranted on without making that clear. I'm just sorry to see more marked divisions than commonalities noted here and there on homeschooling blogs and such. Especially when religion finds its way into the conversations. I don't think that's an issue on your blog.

We started our IL Watch List, because there were legislative issues ("home school" and family) that were passing us by and changing how homeschoolers asserted their rights and responsibilities in every day life. Universal preschool, the change in compulsory attendance age...passed through. There was NO information put out about the issues. I like to put out lots of information supporting my view, so that people can determine which way to go. :-) Our group is for networking most of all, because communication is so essential. I agree that face to face is often more cordial.

That's just what's happened in IL, and I'm not assuming the same for VA. I know you all have a pro-active group there.

I think there are definitely more shared avenues than not in our homeschooling community . I can only take Rush in small bites. He becomes pretty toxic, plus I wonder what my kids are thinking that they're not saying out loud. (I feel the same way about Chris Matthews.) Looks like I need to check out crunchy con and andrew sullivan. :-)

[Crimson Wife]

Sorry, I don't think I was clear in my previous that the "you" in my last sentence was meant in a general sense and not directed at Stephanie or anybody else in particular :-)