The Audacity of Mr. Guggenheim

Today, The HuffPost Education posted a response by Waiting for Superman filmmaker, Davis Guggenheim, on the reaction of this film. All I have to say is this: WHATEVER!

In his response, he promoted his film, (duh!) and challenged moviegoers, especially his critics, to not be a "dither", i.e., a person who talks loud and does nothing, but be a doer. I agree...and that's the only thing I agree with.

However, I was completely taken back with these portions of his response:

...The state of our public schools is also a serious threat and we too have a talented corp of ditherers. Just read the editorial pages of many newspapers and blogs and listen to those on the air. There are many experts who would rather make the issue more complicated, tangled and inspire the rest of us to inaction.

What "inaction" do you speak of? To not see YOUR movie? Also, these "experts", who presumably complained about your film, most likely used RESEARCH STUDIES to back their criticisms.

When I hear thoughtful criticism of Waiting For 'Superman' I am energized because I am seeing the movie work -- I realize it's only 90 minutes and it can't answer every question -- but I know that these kinds of questions and conversations are exactly what we need. More of us at the table determined to fix our schools.



How could that be the case when you can't accept criticism? If there weren't intensive criticisms of your film, would you have written this response? The people who NEED and SHOULD be at the table are the teachers. But how will that happen by watching your film when its tone is obviously anti-teachers and anti-unions?

But those conversations must lead to action. Not more voices that defend a broken system just to stick to the status quo.

So it's time to "do" -- go see the movie if you haven't. If you have, go on WaitingForSuperman.com and learn about your local school, find opportunities to get involved on the ground and contact your governor and local school board to demand real reform. 

I am down for the bold portions. Unfortunately for you, Mr. Guggenheim, I would be advocating FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS UNIONS!

Mr. Guggenheim, 

Your response will sit on deaf ears among your critics. Your film is a part of the propaganda being pushed by those who are for a corporate takeover of education. You tried to be subtle in dismissing your critics. But we know better. Fixing our schools is first acknowledging the complexity of the problems, second reaching a consensus among ALL stakeholders, and finally working together as a village to save our public schools. You and the other ed deformers think it is a simple, quick fix; perpetuate the blame game; and prefer only corporations charter schools to provide the education our children need. Yet, you have the AUDACITY to call us, your critics, as "dithers", because we don't (and many won't) support your movie. Man, please! Stop whining and be willing to listen to the other side. Our views were excluded from your film; Randi Weingarten doesn't count. Yet, our views are not expendable because we are the ones who work directly with the children in the schools. But "whatever" to us, right? So "whatever" to you. Don't get mad, get glad...that your film started the conversations that you were seeking in the first place. Yet, don't insult your intelligence in thinking that you wouldn't receive any criticisms from REAL educational experts, teachers, union leaders, and supporters of public education.