It’s called “An American Education.” Sponsored by Radio Atlantic. I just listened to the first episode, called “Is Oklahoma Breaking Public Schools?” The answer appears to be “YES! OMIGOD!”
Researched and narrated by journalist Hanna Rosin, the story revolves around Oklahoma’s State Schools Superintendent, Ryan Walters, who is pushing hard to get the 10 Commandments and Bibles into schools and books and teachers who want their students to read books OUT. A despicable man.
But not so fast. He was a beloved teacher, too. What the hell happened to him?
I don’t know yet because I’ve only listened to the first episode. The second episode just dropped. But I wonder: Might the answer to my questions (What the hell’s going on in Oklahoma? and, related, What the hell happened to Ryan Walters?) shed light on what is happening across the country? That is, the unfathomable conversion (in my view) of sane human beings into fuckin’ self-centered, hateful, harmful zombie power mongers?
Hunh. Reminds me of my rant — I mean PSA — about Charlie Kirk.
If you’re curious about the answers to my questions, too, listen to the podcast with me! Drop your comments here as you go. It’ll be like a book group, only focused on a podcast and totally asynchronous and random. In other words, nothing like a book group. But grab a glass of wine anyway, listen, and share what you’re thinking. I’d love to hear!