Javar Juarez (CUBNSC) Lexington, S.C. - PragerU, a controversial conservative media organization known for its provocative content, has found a new platform in South Carolina's public education system. Founded by Dennis Prager and Allen Estrin in 2009, PragerU has been widely criticized by historians and political scientists for its misleading videos on topics like slavery, racism, immigration, and the history of fascism. Yet, South Carolina’s Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver has inked a deal to integrate PragerU Kids’ resources into the state's official learning portal.
PragerU claims to provide "engaging resources that celebrate America’s rich history, values, and founding principles." However, critics argue that this content distorts historical facts to promote a specific political ideology. On the David Pakman Show, Dennis Prager criticized President Biden's statement that "White Supremacy is the most dangerous threat to national security today," dismissing it as political posturing. Prager further asserted that any Republican candidate, including Ron DeSantis, would be unfairly branded as "Hitler" if they opposed the liberal left, calling the left far more dangerous than Donald Trump.
Many, like Democratic Representative Jermaine Johnson, have expressed concern over PragerU’s educational content. Johnson highlighted on social media that the organization is teaching that "enslaved Blacks weren't considered ⅗ of a person," sparking outrage and calls for greater scrutiny of what is being taught in schools.
Minority Leader Todd Rutherford echoed these sentiments, accusing Superintendent Weaver of unqualified leadership and allowing figures like Candace Owens—known for her polarizing views and revisionist takes on Black history—to shape South Carolina's curriculum. Owens has notably been a critic of the Black Lives Matter movement and is featured prominently on the PragerU platform, where she presents a skewed version of American history, particularly African American history.
One of the videos featured in the South Carolina portal is "Up from Slavery" by Booker T. Washington. In a podcast on the platform, conservative author Carol Swain praised Washington's ideology, stating, "He wasn’t agitating for civil rights." Critics argue that this perspective glosses over the violence and systemic oppression faced by Black Americans during Washington's era, which contradicts the rosy picture painted by PragerU.
PragerU openly states it is "not an accredited university" and does not offer degrees, but it provides "educational, entertaining, pro-American videos for every age." However, many educators and parents are concerned about the implications of using these materials in classrooms. They fear that PragerU's content could be used to whitewash history and avoid difficult but necessary conversations about race and America's past.
In Florida, PragerU Kids' videos have already been approved for use in public schools from kindergarten to sixth grade, igniting debates over the politicization of education. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who advocates for "education, not indoctrination," supports the integration of these materials, despite PragerU's own acknowledgment that their content is meant to promote conservative, Judeo-Christian values.
Former teacher Jessica Wright, now vice president of the Florida Freedom to Read Project, argues that PragerU's content is misleading: "The material you’re reading or listening to might sound like it makes sense, but if you are educated on that topic, you would know they came to a conclusion that's not based on fact." Speaking to NPR Wright emphasized "I think the unique thing to understand about PragerU is that there is no bid process for this. They aren't a traditional vendor that even requires payment, because it's free.
South Carolina, like many southern states, is grappling with a severe teacher shortage, exacerbated by political battles over public education. Critics fear that incorporating PragerU's controversial content into the state curriculum will further undermine trust in public education and push the system toward privatization, stripping it of diverse representation and truth.
Visit PragerU here: https://www.prageru.com/lesson-plan/south-carolina-standards-aligned-with-prageru-content
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