Zimmerman, sociopathy, and systemic failure

[LWolf]

28. Yes.

I have thought for a long time that a large number of people in the U.S. exhibit some degree of sociopathy. I've attributed it to cultural dysfunction: a society valuing excessive nationalism, competition, fear, and hate, and devaluing empathy.

We can find examples everywhere we look.

I haven't thought to much about it being systemic in terms of the systems we use to organize and run our society, but that, too.

As a teacher, I'd like to talk further about scaremongering embedded in lessons. The truth is that every state, and every district within a state, and every school within a district, is a reflection of the communities they serve. We like to think of education as a tool to evolve communities, and it can be; it can also be a tool to further cultural dysfunctions.

I know that there is, in varying degrees, an effort on the part of states and districts to address the most obvious abuses. Except, of course, when the elected officials are working for populations with a larger degree of sociopathy.

I know that I'm a pretty good guardian of what happens in my classroom, to the degree that I'm able. I can't, obviously, reject mandated tests.

What are some examples that might be embedded into lessons? Are they things that teachers can modify, or are they embedded in mandates?