A Kamloops, B.C. social studies class assignment says “right-wing people” are racist. As Global News reports, that assertion is angering some local conservatives who say the school shouldn’t be indoctrinating their children about politics.
Matt DeFouw told Global that he first learned of the assignment when his son messaged him a copy of it.
The document listed a series of political questions, followed by what was purported to be the “correct” answer.
The third question asked, “Which person is racist?” The answer: “right-wing people.”
“Instantly, I was like, ‘Wow, you have to bring that home,'” DeFouw told Global.
The scope of the exercise is to prompt students to identify ideas as coming from the political right or left.
Those vaguely defined as being “right-wing” also supposedly believe in capital punishment for murderers, women vacating the workplace and reducing immigration to Canada.
DeFouw, who would agree to be conservative and right-wing, said students should not be taught political stereotypes.
“You have conservatives … being painted as misogynist, racist xenophobes who want to enact a brutal police state that hang people,” he said.
The Kamloops-Thompson School District has both admitted the assignment was an “oversimplification” and has talked to DeFouw.
“It is an oversimplification of those very complex ideas, which we need to revisit with those students,” Assistant Supt. Bill Hamblett told Global.