Podcasts > The Ben Shapiro Show > SHOCKER: Woke Kindergarten Fails

SHOCKER: Woke Kindergarten Fails

By Ben Shapiro

Discover a hard-hitting critique of contemporary social ideologies on "The Ben Shapiro Show" featuring Ben Shapiro and a roster of voices including Akiea Gross and various political figures. In an episode that pulls no punches, Shapiro delves into the tangible shortcomings of adopting woke ideology in key social structures, such as education and law enforcement. As schools become battlegrounds for social activism through programs like Woke Kindergarten, Shapiro demonstrates with startling statistics how such shifts may lead to a stark decline in student proficiency in critical academic areas. Moreover, he explores the impact of anti-police sentiment on the morale and recruitment within police departments, drawing a bleak picture of public safety's future.

In the same vein, the episode doesn't shy away from the political realm, with Shapiro dissecting the plummeting popularity of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Citing Biden's verbal missteps and Harris's even lower approval ratings, Shapiro paints a portrait of a disillusioned public and an administration grappling with credibility. Additionally, the discussion pivots to the fraught topic of immigration, where Shapiro critically examines the Biden administration's policies—or lack thereof—and their exacerbation of the crisis at the southern border. Contrasting perspectives on whether new legislation or firmer application of existing laws is the solution to border security challenges, this episode promises a comprehensive look into the pressing issues shaking the pillars of American society.

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SHOCKER: Woke Kindergarten Fails

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SHOCKER: Woke Kindergarten Fails

1-Page Summary

How woke ideology is causing failure in education and law enforcement

Ben Shapiro criticizes the influence of woke ideology in education, specifically targeting initiatives like Woke Kindergarten, which he claims prioritize social activism over traditional academic subjects. Shapiro presents evidence of educational failure in schools adopting such programs, citing a notable drop in math and English proficiency at a school that received federal funding for Woke Kindergarten training. He argues that this approach distracts from essential academic goals and ultimately diminishes student achievement. Additionally, Shapiro attributes the declining numbers in police recruitment partly to the negative perception fostered by anti-police rhetoric. He contends that the demoralization of the police force has led many officers to leave their positions, with departments like the LAPD and NYPD witnessing fewer applicants. Shapiro expresses concerns that recruitment standards may be lowered to compensate for this shortage, hinting at a social media post from the Detroit police department as a sign of desperate measures for staffing.

Joe Biden’s lack of popularity and mental decline, along with Kamala Harris’ lack of popularity

Shapiro addresses the unpopularity of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, linking Biden's unfavorability to public instances of mental lapses. He highlights Biden's gaffes, such as incorrect references and claims of conversations with long-deceased individuals, as evidence of his senility. Shapiro points to unfavorable polling numbers for both leaders, with Biden showing particularly low favorability in comparison to past incumbents, and Harris' popularity ranking even lower than Biden's. These figures suggest a significant public dissatisfaction with the current administration's leadership.

The immigration crisis at the southern border

Shapiro and other key figures, including Al Sharpton, discuss the southern border crisis, with Shapiro laying the blame on the Biden administration for policy failure and lax enforcement of immigration laws. Criticizing measures like catch and release, he argues that current legislation fails to address critical asylum reforms while increasing discretionary power and potentially subsidizing illegal immigrants' housing costs. He challenges the administration's priorities and accuses it of neglecting border security, undermining the capacity to manage immigration effectively. Contrarily, Chris Murphy contends that Biden needs more legislation to control the border adequately, a view that clashes with Shapiro's assertion that the president is not utilizing the full extent of his authority to stem the crisis.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Woke Kindergarten is a term used to describe educational programs that incorporate social justice and activism into early childhood education. These initiatives aim to raise awareness of social issues like racism, gender equality, and diversity from a young age. Critics argue that such programs may prioritize these social justice teachings over traditional academic subjects, leading to concerns about the impact on educational outcomes and the development of young children.
  • Ben Shapiro criticizes the influence of woke ideology in education, arguing that initiatives like Woke Kindergarten prioritize social activism over traditional academic subjects. He believes that this approach leads to a decline in math and English proficiency, ultimately affecting student achievement negatively. Shapiro suggests that focusing on social activism detracts from essential academic goals and may have detrimental effects on the education system.

Counterarguments

  • Woke ideology in education aims to foster inclusivity and awareness of social issues, which can be integral to a well-rounded education.
  • Initiatives like Woke Kindergarten may enhance critical thinking and empathy in students, which are also valuable skills.
  • Drops in math and English proficiency may not be directly attributable to woke programs and could result from a variety of factors, including socioeconomic issues or changes in testing standards.
  • The decline in police recruitment could be influenced by a range of factors, including broader societal attitudes towards law enforcement, working conditions, and public scrutiny.
  • Efforts to reform police departments may aim to improve community relations and increase accountability rather than demoralize officers.
  • Joe Biden's gaffes may not necessarily indicate mental decline; they could be typical of many public figures who speak frequently under pressure.
  • Unfavorability ratings for political figures can fluctuate and may not fully capture the complexities of public opinion or the effectiveness of their policies.
  • The immigration crisis is a multifaceted issue with roots in domestic and international factors, and it may not be fair to attribute it solely to the current administration's policies.
  • Some argue that more humane immigration policies, like catch and release, are necessary to uphold the rights and dignity of asylum seekers.
  • The suggestion that the Biden administration is neglecting border security could be countered by pointing out efforts to balance humanitarian concerns with the enforcement of immigration laws.
  • Chris Murphy's call for more legislation could be seen as an acknowledgment that complex issues like immigration require comprehensive legal frameworks to address effectively.

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SHOCKER: Woke Kindergarten Fails

How woke ideology is causing failure in education and law enforcement

Ben Shapiro discusses the influence of "woke" ideology on policy-making, specifically in the areas of education and law enforcement, and suggests that it contributes to significant shortcomings in both sectors.

Examples like Woke Kindergarten and police recruitment issues

Shapiro expresses critique towards educational initiatives like Woke Kindergarten, which he sees as an example of failing to meet traditional academic goals while prioritizing revolutionary ideology.

Woke Kindergarten curriculum failing to boost test scores and attendance

Shapiro criticizes Woke Kindergarten for focusing on confronting white supremacy and disrupting racism at the expense of traditional academic subjects like math and English, leading, he argues, to educational failure. He mentions that teachers at a Hayward Elementary School were trained by Woke Kindergarten, financed with a $250,000 federal grant. Despite claims of program effectiveness, the school witnessed a drop in both test scores and student attendance. After two years of the Woke Kindergarten program aimed at helping low-performing schools, student achievement has faltered, with Shapiro citing less than 4% proficiency in math and under 12% proficiency in English at grade level.

Shapiro also mentions that although district officials pointed to improvements in attendance and suspension rates, these claims were contested by a report that placed the school on the state watch list with a further drop in performance.

Police departments struggling to recruit amid anti-police rhetoric

Shapiro discusses the decreased number of police officers, attributing this decline to negative public perception and criticism, which have increased the difficulty of their job. He refers to an art ...

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How woke ideology is causing failure in education and law enforcement

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Woke ideology, often associated with social justice movements, emphasizes challenging systemic inequalities and promoting inclusivity. In education, it can lead to curriculum changes focusing on issues like racism and privilege. In law enforcement, it may result in reforms aimed at addressing concerns about police conduct and accountability. Critics argue that the prioritization of woke ideology in policy-making can sometimes detract from traditional goals and practices in these sectors.
  • Woke Kindergarten is an educational initiative criticized for prioritizing anti-racism teachings over traditional academic subjects like math and English. It aims to confront white supremacy and disrupt racism but has faced scrutiny for allegedly leading to educational shortcomings, such as declining test scores and attendance rates. The program received federal funding but has been linked to poor academic performance in some schools. Critics argue that the focus on ideological teachings may be detrimental to students' overall educational develo ...

Counterarguments

  • Woke ideology may aim to address historical and systemic inequalities in education and law enforcement, which traditional approaches have overlooked or inadequately addressed.
  • Initiatives like Woke Kindergarten could be seen as an attempt to create a more inclusive and socially aware curriculum that prepares students to understand and navigate a diverse society.
  • The decline in test scores and attendance at Hayward Elementary School may not be directly attributable to the Woke Kindergarten program; other factors such as socioeconomic status, resource allocation, and community challenges could play significant roles.
  • Improvements in attendance and suspension rates, if accurate, could indicate positive changes in school climate and student engagement, which are also important educational outcomes.
  • The challenges in police recruitment might be more complex than negative public perception alone, including issues such as working conditions, pay, societal changes, and a broader reevaluation of career choices among potential recruits.
  • The decrease in police officers could also be influenced by a generational shift in career preferences, where younger individuals may be seeki ...

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SHOCKER: Woke Kindergarten Fails

Joe Biden’s lack of popularity and mental decline, along with Kamala Harris’ lack of popularity

Ben Shapiro discusses the current unpopularity of both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, attributing part of the President’s lack of favorability to perceived mental lapses.

Examples of Biden’s mental lapses

Shapiro plays a clip of Biden speaking where he not only gets the country, a person, and the year wrong but also incorrectly refers to François Mitterrand as being from Germany. He goes further to claim that he had spoken with Mitterrand, who actually passed away in 1997. Shapiro highlights these errors as examples of mental lapses and directly calls Biden senile.

Polling showing Biden and Harris very unpopular

Going beyond these lapses, Shapiro touches on the political repercussions of such perceived mental decline by citing polling numbers. He states that Biden ...

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Joe Biden’s lack of popularity and mental decline, along with Kamala Harris’ lack of popularity

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ben Shapiro is a conservative political commentator known for his strong opinions and viewpoints. He often criticizes Democratic politicians like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, which aligns with his conservative beliefs. Shapiro's credibility is a subject of debate, with supporters valuing his straightforward analysis and detractors questioning his biases and interpretations. It's important to consider Shapiro's background and political leanings when evaluating his perspectives on political figures like Biden and Harris.
  • Kamala Harris is noted to be even less popular than Joe Biden, with her favorability ratings at 28% and unfavorable ratings at 53%, according to Ben Shapiro. Th ...

Counterarguments

  • Popularity can fluctuate over time and may not be a definitive measure of a leader's effectiveness or capabilities.
  • Perceived mental lapses in public speeches may not necessarily indicate a decline in cognitive abilities; they could be attributed to fatigue, stress, or simple mistakes that are common in public speaking.
  • The context of the speech errors is important; isolated incidents may not provide a full picture of an individual's mental state.
  • The term "senile" is a medical diagnosis and should not be used lightly without proper medical evaluation.
  • Polling numbers can be influenced by many factors, including the framing of questions, the current political climate, and recent events; they are not always an accurate reflection of long-term public opinion.
  • Comparing favorability ratings across different time periods can be misleading due to chang ...

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SHOCKER: Woke Kindergarten Fails

The immigration crisis at the southern border

The U.S. southern border crisis spurs debate with sharp criticisms levied at the Biden administration for perceived policy failures, as key figures discuss the situation and its political implications.

“Invasion” rhetoric even from Democrats like Al Sharpton

Al Sharpton admits that there's an invasion at the southern border, a term often charged with intense connotations, leading to outrage across the country. Despite using this heated rhetoric commonly associated with conservative views, Sharpton blames Republicans for the situation.

Biden administration blamed for not securing border

Ben Shapiro argues that President Joe Biden could halt the southern border crisis immediately if he chose to act. Shapiro suggests that Biden is not enforcing immigration laws, especially criticizing the current administration for policies such as the catch and release, which he sees as represented in new legislation that expands work authorizations for illegal immigrants without including critical asylum reforms.

This bill has been scrutinized for allowing the potential release of illegal immigrants from custody and providing too much discretionary power to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. It also authorizes taxpayer funding for the FEMA Shelter and Services Program, which critics like Shapiro argue might subsidize housing for illegal immigrants in hotels.

Additionally, Chris Murphy counters these critiques by suggesting that President Biden requires more legislative support to effectively control the border and repair the asylum system. This view opposes Re ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

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The immigration crisis at the southern border

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ben Shapiro is a conservative political commentator known for his strong views on various issues, including immigration. Al Sharpton is a civil rights activist and minister who often speaks out on social justice matters, including immigration. Chris Murphy is a Democratic senator who has been vocal about the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the U ...

Counterarguments

  • Al Sharpton's use of the term "invasion" may be seen as inflammatory and unhelpful in creating a constructive dialogue about immigration reform.
  • The complexity of immigration issues means that immediate action by the President may not be feasible without comprehensive legislative support and international cooperation.
  • The catch and release policy could be viewed as a humanitarian approach to dealing with individuals seeking asylum, rather than a failure to enforce immigration laws.
  • The bill expanding work authorizations for illegal immigrants could be part of a strategy to bring undocumented workers into the formal economy, which may have long-term economic and social benefits.
  • Providing housing for asylum seekers could be seen as a compassionate response to a humanitarian crisis, rather than a misuse of taxpayer fun ...

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