The College Fix

Also noted ‘curriculum violence’ that ‘gender expansive’ folk endure

A University of Washington ethnic studies lecturer recently offered a … remarkable soliloquy at a Washington State House of Representatives hearing.

Tracy Castro-Gill told lawmakers that her identifying “markers” — disabled, queer, ‘Chicanx’ (which sounds like “Chicanese”) recently were made “illegal” in the federal government, but her “very presence and humanity” stand in “opposition to that legislation.”

Although it’s not entirely clear, it appears Castro-Gill was speaking on behalf of state legislation which opposes the new federal guidelines — specifically President Trump’s executive order (not legislation — yet) which directs federal  agencies “to recognize two sexes, male and female.”

The order also states “these sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”

Referencing George Orwell’s “1984,” Castro-Gill said not permitting individuals to “define” themselves as they wish is “fascism.”

“Teachers historically have held the gap between humanity and fascism,” they (Castro-Gill uses “they/them” pronouns) said, and then teachers become the “primary targets” of that fascism.

What’s more, Castro-Gill noted the lawmakers had “heard from students” that educators “are often the people who foster student identity and development,” and because of this fact are being “targeted” and removed from positions.

Notice what was said as sort of cast-away conventional wisdom: that teachers are often “the people who foster student identity.” Maybe that’s the problem …??

Castro-Gill went on to bemoan the “curriculum violence and harm” perpetrated upon “gender expansive people” like herself.

According to (alleged) experts, “curriculum violence” is the “deliberate manipulation of academic programming [which] compromises the intellectual or psychological well-being of learners.”

Examples include “omitting queer history” from lessons “and/or teaching it in irresponsible ways,” using “dehumanizing terminology” (“slaves” instead of “enslaved persons”), and not including “toxic masculinity” in discussions about gender.

MORE: ‘Studies’ experts defend Seattle’s ‘math ethnic studies’ curriculum

I emailed Castro-Gill via her UW faculty page asking for context/clarification of her comments; she did not respond.

According to “their” faculty page, Castro-Gill also serves as executive director of Washington Ethnic Studies Now, which is “committed to transforming K-12 education in Washington State by advocating for Ethnic Studies in every classroom, empowering educators with anti-racist training, centering the voices of people of Color, and building partnerships to create systemic change for a more racially just future.”

In 2020, the South Seattle Emerald reported Castro-Gill also once served as the ethnic studies program manager for the Seattle Public Schools where “they” “kicked up a lot of dust” — which apparently contributed to her dismissal from the position.

“The reason why I’m so polarizing is because I’m unapologetic about sloughing off the people that I’m never going to reach,” Castro-Gill said. “I’m going full steam ahead. If you’re not on board, I’m done with you, and I’ll make fun of you. I’ll ridicule you. I don’t care … I have zero fucks left to give.”

“They” added they have “little time to dither or speak ‘Seattle polite’ to people who either didn’t understand or recognize the issue: Children of Color had been drowning in educational ‘whiteness’ for centuries.”

A local education activist described Castro-Gill in 2019 as believing “she is the rightest of right” (as in correct, not political ideology) and is “part of a wave of the new public education advocate – the zealot.”

On social media, Castro-Gill has stated educators do not get to proclaim they or their classrooms are “safe” or “safe spaces” for LGBTQ youth — such “can only be assessed by the marginalized folks in question.”

And, like myriad other progressives, “they” believe Israel is committing “genocide” against the Palestinians. In fact, “they” argue what the Israelis are doing is worse:

“In my opinion, what Israel is doing is far more nefarious. German Nazis weren’t settlers; contemporary, white Israelis are. German Nazis were a racially and ethnically dominant group on an explicit genocidal mission; Jewish Israelis are an historically marginalized group, which – in my opinion – makes their actions more detestable.”

MORE: Seattle schools continue to lead the way … in lunacy

IMAGE: Tracy Castro-Gill/Facebook

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