Dori: Is an alphabet book in Maple Valley school trying to indoctrinate kids into Marxism?

When young children are learning to read, libraries can be the heart and soul of an elementary school. There are few things better in life than curling up to read a book with a child.

That’s why emails from several listeners caught my attention this week. They were upset about an alphabet book titled “A is for Activist” in Maple Valley’s Rock Creek Elementary collection. This book for kindergartners, first graders, and second graders is “socialist propaganda” that “indoctrinates very young students into Marxist ideology,” they wrote.

After reading the book, I agree.

“A is for activist, advocate, abolitionist, ally … Are you an activist?” it opens.

Abolitionist? Today’s abolitionists don’t want criminals to be punished for crimes. Nicole Thomas-Kennedy, last year’s Seattle City Attorney candidate who lost the race but still garnered 44% of the vote, is an abolitionist. An abolitionist is someone who wants to defund the police and eliminate youth jails. It’s right out of Marxist ideology.

What about the letter “C”?

“C” is for co-op. Cooperating cultures. Creative counter to corporate vultures.”

Corporate vultures? Teaching kids that businesses are vultures? Some are, but most mom-and-pop businesses are the backbone to our society. Are they vultures?

On Amazon, Occupy Wall Street calls it a book that will “delight the curious toddler and parents alike.”

When we reached out to the Tahoma School District regarding whether this book was appropriate for early readers, here is what we heard back from public relations director AJ Garcia:

“A community member shared their concern about this book at a school board meeting last month. At this time we have not received a formal reconsideration on this book. As we are willing to do with any informal reconsiderations of books, our staff has connected with the community member who shared their concern, and our staff is reviewing this book to determine if it will remain in the Rock Creek library selection.”

Garcia shared an explanation for the Tahoma School Board’s book selection process, before responding to my second question: Are there any books in the Rock Creek Elementary library with opposing ideological views?

His written response: “… respectfully, that seems like a subjective analysis and I’m not in a position to give my opinion on that. That said, our district is committed to partnership and two-way communication with our community, so we encourage all students and families to respectfully share their opinions and perspectives.”

But there’s more.

How did a mostly rural community in southeast King County – historically a more conservative area — start to embrace liberal left ideas and adopt a book such as this one?

There’s a fascinating connection to this and upzoning being promoted in the state Legislature. The idea? Tear down single-family homes and replace them with a six-plex or apartments. It’s something happening in Maple Valley and other suburbs across the state.

Why? Because upzoning has dramatic effects on the politics of a region.

Just one example: According to Bloomberg Economic News, in the 2016 U.S. presidential election – Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump – Trump led 53-47 among people who own homes. But among people who rent apartments, Hillary Clinton won by 30 points – 65 to 35. The theory: People who live in apartments overwhelmingly tend to vote Democrat.

And this is exactly what the left in Olympia wants.

Listen to Dori’s segment on this topic here:

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