James Ernest

Are the new Caledonia textbooks full of CRT?

One hears a lot these days about critical race theory (CRT) being taught in public schools. Some people have said that the new social studies curriculum just approved at tonight’s school board meeting is full of CRT. What are we to make of these concerns? Maybe I’ll say more in general some other time. ForContinue reading “Are the new Caledonia textbooks full of CRT?”

CRT in the textbooks! (not)

Notes on the struggle with false accusations (CRT!) in one West Michigan community’s conversation about social studies curriculum.

Vote V-E-T!

THE V-E-T CANDIDATES Two other candidates and I have found that, although we have differing political views, we have important commitments in common. (See our shared platform below.) We will be voting for each other in November, and we invite you to join us. If you are pro-schools, pro-teachers, and pro-Caledonia, vet your candidates andContinue reading “Vote V-E-T!”

Defend institutions

OK, you want to know why I’m running for school board? I’m not lacking things to do with my time. I am not bored. My day job in academic book publishing is endlessly fascinating and demanding, and numerous prospective authors (I am chagrined to admit) could tell you that all my evenings and weekends couldContinue reading “Defend institutions”

Acquiescence is complicity; love requires truthtelling

Until we have agreed that we will speak truthfully and respectfully to and about each other, and that we will not choose as our representatives people who are unable to do either, we cannot hope for progress on anything else.

JAMES ERNEST FOR CALEDONIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

James Ernest for Caledonia Community Schools: A Platform. I am a candidate for school board trustee. Vote for me in November.

All those who practice it (Psalm 111)

Psalm 111 is a beautiful psalm of praise. It praises the character of God not as an abstraction but as manifested in God’s works. Note the recurrence of “works,” “work,” “deeds,” and various action verbs (highlighted in pink in the photo). Note also that among God’s works are God’s precepts. God not only gives foodContinue reading “All those who practice it (Psalm 111)”

What Angela Rigas said at the school board meeting

State rep candidate Angela Rigas takes aim and fires off a wild shot at the Caledonia Community Schools.

Keeping the Declaration of Equality

Another Independence Day rolls around. Heather Cox Richardson has written a brief essay for the occasion. You should read it. It refers, fittingly, to the Declaration of Independence. I want to say a little bit about the Declaration myself. Note that the document itself is not titled “Declaration of Independence.” We are in the habitContinue reading “Keeping the Declaration of Equality”

Story problems

Once you start down the road of insisting that the only permissible stories are ones that align with your sense of how the world ought to be, you are on the road to ideological indoctrination.