Perpetuating Inequalities: The Role of Political Distraction in Education Policy

Abstract

The 2021 Politics of Education Yearbook brings together scholars from diverse theoretical orientations—including policy studies, critical trans politics, and Critical Race Theory—to explore the politics of distraction within education policymaking. This introductory article previews the work included in the Yearbook and presents a grounding framework for policy distraction, which we define as a persistent focus on a narrowly defined set of policy solutions that diverts attention from root causes, structural forces, and historical/contextual circumstances (Bell, 2003; Giroux, 2013, 2017; Spade, 2011, 2013, 2015). We articulate five elements of policy distraction. They (a) rely on narrow policy frames to address educational problems of practice; (b) name phenomena in ways that affect our understanding; and (c) largely ignore inequalities and structural conditions. In doing so, they may (d) reinforce the status quo; and (e) reify ideas of what counts as normal or, alternatively, as deviant (Spade, 2011).

“This is Not Who We Are”: Students Leading for Anti-Racist Policy Changes in Alexandria City Public Schools, Virginia

“…However, there was also evidence of agenda denial (Edelman, 1967), especially in the 1990s when the school board ignored constituents' complaints about the school names and continued segregation within schools. More recently, political distraction (Farley et al, 2021) was attempted with the use of mythmaking (Edelman) around the "T.C." acronym, its level of perceived importance, and the last-minute call for tweaking the community's name choice to preserve some of its purported legendary powers.…”

“…Agenda denial can happen for a variety of reasons from governing bodies relying on mythmaking and symbolic ritual (Edelman, 1967), using placation strategies (Cobb & Ross, 1997), and/or inserting political distractions (Farley et al, 2021). For example, rather than encourage citizens to help identify problems and solutions, political figures might try to reassure the public that the ritual of voting is enough to create change (Edelman).…”

The battle for trans rights: Political spectacle theory and its implications for education policy

“…Schneider and Ingram (1993) characterize degenerative politics as the exploitation of derogatory social constructions, manipulation of logic and symbolism, and deceptive messaging that hides the purpose of policy. The goal of education policy that limits the participation (and in the case of Florida) and the mere mention of transgender or non‐binary people is not to solve a problem or alleviate an inequity—it is to perpetuate historical marginalization (Farley et al, 2021). The current political system following the Trump presidency rewards politicians who demonize groups of people that do not align to their religious or moral belief systems (Gonzalez et al, 2018).…”

“…Part of the reason why movements against marginalized groups are so successful as methods of political distraction are the ways individual frameworks and ways of understanding the world are vastly different. Our collective understandings define the world around us, creating inherent implicit biases that are ripe for susceptibility to political distraction (Farley et al, 2021).…”

Effect of Workplace Security on Employee Performance at Vihiga County Referral Hospital

“…Although conflict theorists often focus on social change, they have, in fact, also developed a theory to explain social stability. According to the distraction perspective, inequalities in power and reward are built into all social structures (Farley, Leonardi & Donnor, 2021). Individuals and groups who benefit from any particular structure strive to see it maintained.…”