Dear Editor:

The Maine Educational statutes require Instruction in African American studies, Maine studies, Wabanaki studies, the history of genocide, and the Maine and United States Constitutions.

American Studies was missing during discussions about abolishing and replacing the high school. The talk focused on “making spaces,” a politically correct term for “production spaces,” more suitable for the Industrial Park than our public schools. The boards engaged secretive discussions with “donors” who would finance “making spaces,” saving taxpayers’ money. Or would the taxpayers save private corporations money?

One might ask what kind of political system this describes, and therein lies the importance of education about political philosophies in our public schools.

The recent national turn of events underscores the importance of a public educated in political philosophies. Such an education serves a common public interest, while industrial job training serves special private interests.

The need for political philosophy education is evident in the uneven treatment of two political philosophy terms, “communism” and “fascism”. The right defines everyone not MAGA as a Democrat and defines Democrats as Communists, but if asked what communism is, an answer is not forthcoming amid long speeches that beat around the bush.

Not-MAGA includes diverse views that may or may not resonate with the Democratic Party. Those Not-MAGA identify the policies of the current federal government as Fascism, and more specifically, the Nazi brand of fascism, earmarked by militarism, the SS, concentration camps, persecution of targeted groups, and global aggression.

MAGA uses the term “communism” as a socially acceptable political identifier to derogate its opponents, but protests that “fascism” is an offensive name-calling that should be censored. By censoring language identifying their own historical roots, the censors seek to control the narrative and detete the memory of the historical period most resembling what is happening in the USA today, a past historical period that led to mass genocide.

Before World War II, communism was seen as the primary threat to the world. Fascism was regarded as a defense against communism. Fortunately, today’s historical memory cannot be erased by censoring language.

Actions speak louder than words.

Susan M. Andersen

Boothbay Harbor