Cancel Culture 101: Connecticut School Cancels Event With Education Secretary Over Political Pressure

We have long discussed how educators are instilling viewpoint intolerance in students from the earliest grades. The latest example is the cancellation of a visit to McKinley Elementary School in Fairfield, Connecticut, by Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The students had the opportunity to speak and interact with a cabinet member, but the school cancelled the event due to political opposition from parents.

Reports indicated that the visit, part of McMahon’s “History Rocks” tour in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, was cancelled due to a campaign by parents.

The parents rose up after McKinley Principal Christine Booth wrote them saying that the school was

“proud to offer this unique opportunity and… unforgettable experience for our McKinley students. Students will enjoy a dynamic, interactive assembly that brings American history and civic learning to life through fun, game show style activities, hands-on participation, and even prizes. This high energy experience is designed to spark curiosity, celebrate our country’s story, and make learning memorable for our students.”

Fairfield Superintendent of Schools Michael Testani folded immediately under the political pressure rather than stand firm that the school is a place for different ideas and voices:

“Following this evening’s announcement about the Secretary of Education’s planned visit to McKinley on Friday, we heard from many families who expressed concerns and shared that they were considering keeping their children home. Due to these circumstances, the Secretary of Education’s visit to Fairfield has been canceled.”

Those “circumstances” were the combination of political pressure from parents and a lack of principle by school officials.

These parents and officials have taught these students a terrible lesson: they should not be exposed to opposing views or speakers. They are raising a generation of speech-phobics that reflects their own intolerance and bias.

465 thoughts on “Cancel Culture 101: Connecticut School Cancels Event With Education Secretary Over Political Pressure”

  1. The Left uses every underhanded tactic to wage the political war. The recent tactics have included: personal injury to politicians and judges; property damage; confiscation of bank deposits; defamation of individuals; media hoaxes; and mob violence. An overlooked tool is a classic: shunning, i.e. decent people don’t associate with their target, who then feels isolated. This column deals with a form of shunning.

      1. Not even close to the extent the left does.

        It is not MAGA shunning left wing nut relatives at thanksgiving.
        It is not MAGA on a sex strike againts left wing nuts.
        It is not MAGA making up crimes to arrest political opponents.

        The “protests” in MN are larger and more violent than J6 – yet left wing nuts arrested over 1000 J6 peaceful protestors and were looking to arrest 1000 more. There were barely 2500 people at J6 – and nearly all were peaceful.

        Does ICE have 2000 arrests pending against people protesting the arrests of criminal illegal aliens ?

        There are example of those on the right behaving badly – they are mostly old – often decades old,.
        and rare both then and now.

        Further those on the right who behave badly are called out – by the right – and prosecuted where appropriate.

        The left makes excuses or martyrs of their criminals, bails them out, and defends their bad conduct.

    1. JT: “These parents and officials have taught these students a terrible lesson: they should not be exposed to opposing views or speakers. They are raising a generation of speech-phobics that reflects their own intolerance and bias.”

      Faithful Democrats All.

  2. The principal should not have canceled. If the parents decided to keep their kids home, so what? Why should those who would have been in attendence be denied the opportunity to hear from and speak to a sitting cabinet member?

      1. What evil has guventer done ?

        All democrats are not fascist, but those who are not are increasingly rare.

        A fascists whose policies you like – is still a fascist.

    1. Top 5 states that receive Federal aid:

      Alaska
      Kentucky
      West Virginia
      Mississippi
      Louisiana

      All voted overwhelmingly for Trump. So I agree – PLEASE cut off funding for these welfare states.

        1. California ($162.9 billion)
          New York ($110.2 billion)
          Texas ($105.8 billion)
          Florida ($58.8 billion)
          Pennsylvania ($57.1 billion)

            1. False – the STATE of CA makes NO payments to the federal government.
              The people of CA like all americans PAY federal taxes.

              Though there will be less tax money from Californians going to the federal government – as wealthy californians held elsewhere.
              But theis will have ZERO effect on the federal govenrment as short of leaving the US they still owe federal taxes.

            2. Now show their debt
              California holds the highest total government debt in the United States, estimated at over $1 trillion to $1.6 trillion when including unfunded pension and healthcare liabilities. The state faces significant fiscal pressure with a $58 billion projected budget deficit for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

      1. ATS – CA and NY receive far more federal aide. CA receives more than all of the above combined.

        What is true of red states is federal aide is a far larger part off their budgets.

        That is because they are not engaged in all kinds of other nonsense.
        Those state provide the fundimental social contract core of what Govenrment is supposed to do and no more.

        CA received 118B in federal aide per year.
        NY 83B

        Alaska 5
        WV 6.9
        KY 18
        LO 20
        MO 15

    2. Yes, feds protect the US as a whole as in military and border security, postal, dams serving regions and interstates, airports and ports, interstate rails, interstate commerce. Medicare and SS are Trust funds for retirement and not welfare.

      Want Walz or DeSantis as your governor?

          1. Try history books.
            Or heck Goggle
            President Franklin Delano Roosevelt “felt there wasn’t a need in the public sector to have collective bargaining because the government is the people.

      1. What has the idiocy of government unions where there is no real ability for proper negotiations somehow a Nazi proposition ?

        Do you just add hitler to all insults ?

  3. Seems the best route would have been to allow the Secretary of Education to come and let those students (and parents) who did not wish to attends to opt out and stay in their classrooms. I think the students would benefit but if the parents can not deal with adverse opinions just let them opt out. By cancelling you deny all students (and parents) the right to make a choice for themselves.

    1. Couldn’t agree more – loosing choice is a freedom denied. The exact same thing can be said for banning books from the school library. By removing, say ‘Between the World and Me’ by Coates from the library because a few parents don’t care for it – you’ve denied all students from getting to read it.

        1. Between the World and Me is a 2015 nonfiction book by Ta-Nehisi Coates, written as a letter to his then-15-year-old son, Samori. The book explores the realities of being Black in the United States through a blend of personal narrative, history, and social critique. Dustoff you are truly an idiot.

      1. NO public school library can have more than 0.00001% of all books.

        Choices are going to have to be made.

        Schools are failing worse than ever at teaching reading writing and arritmatic.
        When they manage that – they can add history and science.

        Much of the rest has no place in a public school.

        If you want politics taught – do so at home or send your child to a private school where they can teach whatever you want.

        1. John

          Oregon schools.
          Oregon students won’t have to show added proficiency in basic skills through 2028 to graduate
          The Oregon Board of Education voted Thursday to continue to suspend the requirement saying its been misapplied and is ineffective.

        1. @Enigma

          Sure. Accurate representation of our laws as they are written is ‘propaganda’. This is getting really stale, as that is actually propaganda’s opposite.

          A determining factor in mental illness is self-awareness of behavior; a truly insane person doesn’t question their own actions, the moral compass isn’t involved. Hence the modern left are insane.

          If we don’t like laws we have a process to change them, and in this country all citizens have a say. I know you know this, so why not make a good faith argument instead?

          1. Denied the right to live in peace without crime, complete safety morally, physically and mentally.

          2. Children must be exposed to the grinding cruelty, the ceaseless noise and hatred and anger each and everyday to become fully emotionally disturbed. The sec of ed hadn’t any of that in her program.

            /s

        2. enigmainblackcom says: Propaganda!

          What other “analysis” could we expect from a Marxist Black Nationalist racist serving as Obama/Biden’s Uncle Tom – living off the racist spoils of Obama declaring that America is “systemically white racist”?

    2. GEB,
      But is that not the goal of leftists? To deny any and all opposing view points to their own as a underhanded tactic of censorship. And they use the fake guise of protecting the children of . . . something.

    3. “allow the Secretary of Education to come and let those students (and parents) who did not wish to attends to opt out and stay in their classrooms. ”

      I would agree with that IF AND ONLY IF parents were also permitted to opt their children out of any and all marxist-collectivist-woke items in the curriculum. Better yet, entirely do away with the public system of indoctrination masquerading as education.

    4. . Woke parents will only allow the sec of ed to speak if she brings drag queens with her or other DEI scaffolding. It can be as little as African Congo drums but it must be present.

  4. What about the parents who were home telling their kids what a neat idea and opportunity this was? A few loudmouth AWFLs can force such a dumb decision.

  5. Why not have these educational meetings in the South and Midwest where people still have good manners and appreciate the administration. Forget about the northeast they are lost.

    1. Perhaps just practical as I believe the Secretary of Ed lives in CT, the local connection, etc. What a wooze the CT admin is.

  6. “A student was struck by a vehicle during an anti-ICE rally Thursday in front of Fremont High School. The SUV, which displayed a Trump flag, fled the scene, video of the incident shows.”

    Fake news, we know trump supporters are all loving angels that would never hurt a non trump supporter.

      1. You don’t spit on Ice
        You don’t pull a gun on the Ole Border Ranger
        and you don’t mess around with them…

    1. ATS – people do not beleive you.

      Regardless, provide credible evidence your story is true, and law enforcement should seek the driver of the SUV and prosecute them for assault.

      Of course there are alot of critical details you are missing
      such as is the story even true ?

      Did the protestors surround the vehicle – you are not permitted to do so and the vehicle is permitted to flee.
      Further if you start pounding on the vehicle the drivers is allowed to free more agreesively,
      and if you start trying to break into the car the driver is allowed to use the car as a weapon and use deadly force to defend themselves.

      But to know the truth about the incident you cite – we would first have to know it was real.
      And then have to know what actually happened.

      Because facts matter.

  7. As a conservative and retired educator, I dont think a critique of this school system is the best look. We want certain things kept out of public schools because of our views. How can we then complain when a liberal system does it. Seems to me if one set of parents has a right to control what is in their children’s school, then all parents have that right.

    1. Best look. Were you part of the CT education system? I’ll answer for you: No. Because they don’t conform to your ideology? Then how can you make such an ignorant statement?

    2. Conservatives want porn for children, lessons on trans rights, drag reading hour and vulgar books kept out of schools while this group is keeping out a Cabinet Secretary. The fact that you can’t discern the difference at least confirms that you are indeed a teacher.

      1. Conservatives? You sure you meant conservatives? A Freudian slip eh? Deep down you’re a liberal and don’t know it – you just haven’t come out yet.
        I’m all for porn, sex lessons, drag hours, but not clear what vulgar books are? Stuff you dislike.
        You got the psychological markings of a of loyal concentration camp guard.

          1. What trash? Your comments?
            At least print at least one volume, so folks know you’re not that stupid.

            1. Ano
              I’m all for porn, sex lessons, drag hours,

              You are sick a person. What next teach this trash in schools.
              God knows how the left keeps pushing this.

    3. I respectfully disagree with Anonymous (above). Not all opinions are equal, and so not all opinions should carry equal weight. One wonders: What percentage of parents protested? What percentage of parents is required to determine a decision? What specific concerns were voiced? Are these concerns valid? If so, can parameters be set to address these concerns? Or, if reasonable, can accommodations be reached by way of compromise? Sometimes the easiest path is not the best path.

      1. Now you sound like a liberal educator elucidating minority interests.
        All valid points. Yet the principal has the final vote.
        I wonder what a conservative HS principal would have done with, under the same circumstances, with Ilhan Omar, as speaker?

  8. So – you get big mad if parents can’t have a voice in the books that are put in the school library, and you think it’s OK for parents to lead a charge to ban books they don’t like. And you also get big mad if parents weigh in on which speakers are selected to speak to their kids at school.

    All this hypocrisy must mean it’s a Friday on the Turley blog.

    1. Ano
      OK for parents to lead a charge to ban books they don’t like.
      __________________________
      Face it, you want have S-X with these young kids.
      Typical libs.

      1. Says the guy who supports the party protecting Epstein. That’s one you have to figure out on your own, my friend.

  9. This is a direct result of the Democrat party instilling Marxist viewpoints in our students. The Dems would have kids beiieve Trump was an evil dictator when that mentality actually finds its roots inthe Democrat philosophyl. Democrat philosophy is not to be confused with Democracy and the Democrat Party has no idea what Democracy means.

    1. Marxists? How do you know are instilling that? Because they teach kids to be open minded towards different races and sexes?
      As soon as they give those kids physical weapons, I’d say there’s a problem.

  10. My guess, 10 out of 100+ parents “objected”. So the other 100ish are punished. That is how Communism works.

    1. Works? Now that’s a lowbrow comment if ever there was one.
      So that also means you lived in a communist society?

  11. How stupid. Exposes the fragility of the left that they are so frightened of being subjected to any other views. Like the 3-year-old that puts his fingers in his ears and yells “la la la la” so as to not hear.

    1. “Like the 3-year-old that puts his fingers in his ears and yells “la la la la” so as to not hear.” Which is exactly what you’re doing here.

  12. Connecticut real estate is expensive and public schools are not that great so maybe it will take seeing their property values tank for these people to get the point that diversity of ideas is healthy and necessary.

    1. CT is ranked 8th. PA is ranked 5th. MA is ranked 1st.
      But I know students in current MA schools – and MA schools are NOT as good as PA schools.

      Rankings tend to be biased.

  13. There are a couple of very young people in my family who attend school in these uber blue states, and to see such misguided intensity of intolerance and anger from preteens is both shocking and sad. Their parents and teachers are certainly doing them no favors, and there is no way this is healthy in the long run.

    1. So, what happens in CT … as for the intolerance they allegedly exhibited, by your remark, you epitomize intolerance.
      So if, CT is indoctrinating kids to a liberal ideology, then how would you describe McMahons visit?

      1. Education secretary? Hahaha! She didn’t even know anything about AI. She thought it was “A1.” What a putz.

        But hey, it’s the incompetent being led by the incontinent.

      2. An actual liberal ideology is one of tolerance not intolerance.

        Real liberals would want their children to hear from McMahon

        1. John Say,
          That is correct. Real liberals could tolerate opposing viewpoints. The illiberals of today, not so much. We see it in their attempts to cancel others, to shout down speakers, the fact they are ready and willing to use violence and even murder to silence any opposing view point to their own.

    1. Yes gd, actual mafia states or organized crime states mixed with kleptocracy such as Minnesota are very real. Minneapolis has a large narco state contingent.

  14. There is no less tolerant group than leftwing fascists. They are as intolerant of different opinions as the North Korean parliament.

    1. “Generally, if one side is begging for a debate while the other side avoids it at all costs and even tries to censor opposing views, that should tell you a lot about which side is likely closer to the truth.” —Scott Morefield

        1. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro is the prominent U.S. representative known for her distinctive purple hair, not blue. She has served as the representative for Connecticut’s 3rd congressional district since 1991 and is the longest-serving member of the state’s congressional delegation. Born on March 2, 1943, in New Haven, Connecticut, DeLauro is a member of the Democratic Party and currently holds the position of Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee.

          1. Naa you shot way ahead of me when it comes to local idiot..
            Most of all when you use Anonymous for a name.

            Hiding sometime?

    1. So true. They are just teaching their children sycophancy and relinquishing the enlightenment principles of objectivity. That’s something that might hurt their children later on.

          1. To be direct, it happens in schools across the globe. Rote learning. Again, we’re talking kids.

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