Opinion

OPINION | TED TALLEY: Reactions in Arkansas suggest a battle against science, knowledge

Battles waged against science, education

In late July, mere weeks before schools across the state would open, Dr. Rick Barr, clinical director of Arkansas Children's Hospital, raised concerns about covid cases among children increasing by 50% more than at any time in the pandemic. Not long afterward, a remorseful Gov. Asa Hutchinson called the Legislature into special session to undo the anti-mask law they hastily passed, and he signed, in April. It was a no-go.

Hutchinson said there were 24 children being treated at the hospital; none had been fully immunized. Half of those were under 12 years old and not vaccine-eligible.

By the end of September the numbers were worse.

During an Oct. 6 press conference, Arkansas Health Secretary Dr. José Romero showed data comparing cases in January with cases in July. He noted an 84.4% increase in pediatric hospitalizations and a 63.6% increase in pediatric ICU admissions as the delta variant spread through the state.

One would have thought this alarming trend starting last summer would create calls to action from parents demanding their children be protected once schools opened. Not so, at least according to noisy crowds at school board and town meetings that turned simple health protocols into challenges to parental God-given rights (whatever that means, since God didn't write the Constitution). So where were these loud parents years earlier when their kids were vaccinated as required for school enrollment? Oh, I forgot. That would have preceded Donald Trump, who like some mad scientist created the vaccines via warp speed, then cast doubts on them through his indifference when it developed he would not be able to take credit specifically for the vaccines saving lives. That would be left to his Democratic successor.

In a twisted Frankenstein story, Herr Doktor Trump agitated the villagers and set them upon the castle of science and higher learning with torches and pitchforks.

And it happened in Benton County.

In the recent Zone 7 Bentonville school board race, incumbent Joe Quinn, who judiciously voted for masks to be worn as school district policy in August, was defeated by newcomer Mike Swanson. Swanson's key platform planks were freedom for parents to choose whether to mask their children (a specific swipe at Quinn) and enhanced non-college education pathways for district students. These two issues were crucial in the election involving less than 1,200 votes, with Swanson winning with 59%.

On a broader front, this Bentonville scenario is part of a challenge to science and liberal arts education on a national level taking form in social media memes and so forth in which four-year college degrees are denigrated in favor of technical and trade training. Our children can and do have both choices. But traditional college pathways are under attack. Trumpian "non-college whites," as demographers peg them, steer us into classic identity politics confrontation with university degree holders positioned as elites looking down on unwashed masses of Greater Appalachia.

It's a radically right dog whistle. There is, in fact, no dearth of opportunity within Bentonville schools for pursuing a trade or otherwise preparing for life without a four-year degree. Swanson's implication that the Bentonville district underserves the non-university-bound student flies in the face of facts. The district has increased NorthWest Arkansas Community College enrollment by 476% in the last five years, which means students are opting for varied career certifications. Work-based learning internships have grown by 57% since 2018.

Those are just two data points.

"Bentonville Schools promotes career programs on our campuses as well as with Crowder College, [Northwest Technical Institute], NWACC, Arkansas State, the Western Benton County Career Center, and others," per a statement from a district official.

There's always room for improvement but to pit one career path versus another at the higher grade levels is like sowing seeds for elementary school playground bullying between the inconsistently masked and unmasked: "My daddy says your daddy's a woke wimp!"

Thankfully, vaccines are now approved for the 12-and-under kids. I will not worry so about my several younger grandchildren in the Bentonville district who can be vaccinated. Those parents who pass on the option? They are free to tempt fate.

Such ongoing brouhaha has me thinking I'm a man without a country. I love the Ozarks and I would sorely miss the grandkids, but wonder if retirement down to the Yucatan in ancient Mayan lands would suit me. I've enjoyed multiple visits there; my Spanish is adequate. An old, dare I say college chum seems quite content there. And unlike in the U.S., the Mayans discontinued ritual sacrifice of their young some 500 years ago.

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