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As we sweep into a new year, we count our blessings, but it is also worthwhile to look ahead and consider what our main issues will be in the year ahead. We live in the greatest country on earth, and much of our work as patriots focuses on defending and advocating for our country and families. It is clear there is a war on merit in this country, and that sits at the foundation of all our aspirations. After all, if the left is successful at replacing merit and accomplishment with envy and hopelessness, then the road back for this country will be even more difficult.
We are bombarded every day with a slew of issues that matter to us, and the war on merit is weaved throughout the leftist agenda. But allegations about the scourge of equity being implemented at Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ) in Alexandria, Virginia reminds us what’s at stake for our children and why we must be vigilant.
In articles at City-Journal and the New York Post, journalist, author, and parent Asra Nomani reported on shocking allegations that two administrators had withheld for years – notifications of National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s recognition of students at the school. These awards can be important in college applications and open the door to hundreds of other scholarships. Why would a school not tell students and their families about such a prestigious and important merit award? Nomani told Fox News:
“This year, the entire controversy just blew up because the kids got their certificate, weeks after early college application deadlines, just dropped on their desks as if it was just another piece of paper… And this amazing mom named Shawna Yashar started asking questions, just like every parent’s got to do… From issues of the drag queen story hours to indoctrination in the schools, this is another form of this race to the bottom that the schools are going through right now.”
According to the City-Journal report, one of the administrators allegedly involved in the withholding of the awards admitted to Yashar that it was deliberate and done in the pursual of equity. “We want to recognize students for who they are as individuals, not focus on their achievements,” he told her, claiming that he and the principal didn’t want to “hurt” the feelings of students who didn’t get the award.
For their part, Fairfax County Schools says this was a “one time error,” explaining “FCPS understands the hard work and dedication of each and every student who competes for college acceptance and scholarship opportunities. Once the issue regarding the fall 2022 notifications was realized, counselors sent emails and made follow-up calls to each college where these students had applied and informed them of the National Merit Scholarship Commendations. We are continuing to look into this matter and will take any necessary steps to ensure consistency in appropriate and timely notification of National Merit recognitions going forward.”
What we do know about Thomas Jefferson High School is that it touts its woke bone fides and equity commitment to “equal outcomes for every student, without exception.” National Review reports that the principal at TJ “[Ann] Bonitatibus has lobbied extensively to incorporate equity-based policies at Thomas Jefferson high, which was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the nation’s best high school in 2022.” Moreover, “During the summer of protests following the murder of George Floyd, Bonitatibus emailed students and parents urging them to consider ‘the privileges you hold that others may not.’ In February 2022, a federal judge acknowledged that Thomas Jefferson high had altered its admissions processes to restrict the number of Asian Americans in a bid for “racial diversity,” reported NR.
The district insists this is a one-time delay of notification affecting the college early application deadlines, while the Nomani report alleges this manipulation of award notifications has been going on for five years. That’s a big difference. This story is now national and the district investigation must be comprehensive and transparent to determine exactly what happened and how long this has been an issue. Nomani herself writes she had a son at TJ and learned “two years after the fact” that he had been a National Merit commended student.
While this story is about one high school, make no mistake, the war on merit is happening everywhere. We have been alerted to the destructive leftist agenda in our schools mostly by accident during the last two years. As Nomani noted in her Fox News interview, “This is important not just for this group of kids in this school, but for all of America, because this war on merit is happening everywhere.”
People are different, and the results of all of our endeavors will be different. No school can pledge the woke maxim “equal outcomes for every student, without exception” without committing first to the artificial manipulation of outcomes and the leveling-down it requires. Another manifestation of this could be to hide, delay, or dismiss merit awards to give the false impression that no student is doing any better than any other student.
Equal opportunity in this country is key. Equal outcomes is Marxist dreck, based on envy and resentment. It intends to dismantle merit while inhibiting the desire of people to learn, create, and succeed. If the left is successful, the talent, inspiration, and drive that has made this country the best place on earth for freedom and the individual will collapse. The war on merit happens quietly, so in 2023, let’s make sure we know what’s happening school-by-school, student-by-student, and make our rejection of this threat clear.
There are more snowflakes in our colleges and universities than there were in the Christmas blizzard in Buffalo NY.
Excellent article.
Yes, I saw the news on this the other day. I can’t say I’m surprised, as the woke agenda has been gaining more and more traction in K through 12 for years now. Being an over achiever academically is now considered something bad. As it might upset both average and less than average students in the school. Excelling at almost anything is viewed negatively today in the public school system. With the exception of advocating for all things woke of course. That you are allowed and encouraged to be an over-achiever in. Get your kids out of the public school system ASAP, if you truly care about them and their futures.
There is a war on merit. Half is caused by the woke far left but the other half is caused by MAGA conservatives who attack our educational institutions and scientists any way they can.
An example of what is wrong with MAGA
MAGA rightfully criticizes BLM and Antifa for their violence.
MAGA then uses BLM and Antifa type violence to storm the capitol on J6.
The J6 insurrection was like BLM and Antifa on steroids but MAGA defends it.
The GOP can fix the problem by nominating someone like Ryan or Boehner or McConnell or Romney rather than MAGA extremists like Trump or DeSantis or Boebert or MTG.
Just the title itself is not complete. The war on merit has also entered the service.
Guilty as charged, I am a proud Conservative MAGA Republican. I think McConnel should quit hiding his true affiliations as a China suck up and a Democrap toadie. He and many others (Lindsey Graham for example) make a mockery of the party. Trump ghas his faults, but he got results and for that I applaud him. So GOP establ – go peddle your tired rhetoric elsewhere. You’re a toadie/placater – we need that week-kneed foolishness no more.
This article must have been lost in mail for 50 years
I live in Loudoun County, once the home of one of the Best School systems in the US. It has gone woke because of the leftist idiots that took over the School Board. My Sons got great Educations and attended Top Universities. They have great Jobs and are contributing to society. My granddaughters had to put up with the Covid nonsense and were finally homeschooled. My son took a job in the UK and the girls are absolutely thriving in the British Schools they attend. My family came to Virginia in 1607 and has been in every conflict since the French and Indian War. We are in the midst of a cold war with the left now. They want equity, not equal opportunity. People are different and have different talents. Equal Opportunity is different than Equal Outcomes. We need to fight this dumbing down of our society before this once great nation of ours is sun by the lunatic left fringe.
The Marxist Democrats will keep on dividing and hating, because there are no positive reasons to keep the Communists and Socialists in power. Healthy competition and fair play, merit advancement of all Americans are good for all parties concerned. It’s all a win-win way of life. The best and brightest not only help themselves but also raise our entire standard of living. Hard work and high competence are two of the most important character traits needed for a healthy and robust economy and political system. The sky is the limit should be the educational mantra for all races and ethnic backgrounds. Fostering envy and entitlement are ideologies steeped in destruction and evil.
The wicked democrats know they can’t win on their stances in issues. Democrats have to destroy everything decent and moral exactly what we see happening before our eyes now!!!
Of course this makes sense. That is why sports are so popular and athletes at all paid the same. Why is the world cup so popular? Would it be without a winner? Soccer games throughout the world should not carry a score, or football etc. under this philosophy. These people are absolutely nuts. I think the ones promoting it should all have the same salary in that school, after all there value to the school and the community is the same in this philosophy. The normal person seeks out their talents and strives to be the best they can. This does not mean if you are not the best you are of value or if someone else is better in a a different area you value diminishes. The reality is pay rate is not even a rate of personal value but of the ability to generate revenue. Otherwise some of the lower paid positions would be paid much more than the pro athletes. Throughout history people appreciate excellence and if we take the passion away to strive for it we are all in trouble.
The fact is we were created by God with abilities we are to strive to use so that we can be awarded with well done good and faithful servant. These are not if we are the best but how we used what we were given.
Who dreamed this crap up
Evil is destructive! Freedom is creative! Satan is the destroyer! God is the creator! So Democrats are destroying everything freedom creates, so who are the real evil ones?
I hope Mrs. Yashar sues the pants off the principal. Is any more evidence needed to show forth the absolute failure of public education?
I am anti-public school (indoctrination centers) let the money go where the parents want to send their kids. In my view public schools have failed our kids period.
Would you rather have the doctor who graduated at the top of his class or the doctor who graduated because of equity?
Well since teachers are mostly stupid as hell. It stands to reason they would hell achievement.
Just think no more papers to grade. Just give everyone a C.
This is just one more reason for everyone to vote for school choice / 100% vouchers.
The “educators” behind this horrific act need to be fined, do jail time for their actions and permanently lose teaching/admin credentials.
Schools need to stop teaching students “what to think” and start teaching them “how to think.” Good teachers can recognize students strengths and abilities and encourage them to pursue those strengths. There are already too many doctors and lawyers, we need good tradesmen who can be electricians, plumbers, auto repair people, carpenters and the list goes on.
Give everyone equal opportunity but never expect equal outcomes. Everyone is different and those who find jobs they love to do, will prosper.
Jenny Beth Martin mother of twins auction off her under panties to get herself a birthday cake in 2023.