Friends you can’t disagree with and work together to come to a mutual understanding with are superficial friendships.

I’m sorry if I came on too strong, but I appreciate your initial response as It clarifies more where you’re coming from.

I don’t disagree that “doomerism” exists and can be a problem, however that term is often used (and from my perspective is being used in this context) to deflect from the material reality in a “rub some dirt on it, it ain’t that bad” sort of way.

However, within this context the “alternative” isn’t complicated. The kids, and teachers, need therapy from trained medical professionals. More broadly they need access to healthcare and resources they aren’t getting.

This comment here is a prime example of not having issues with any of the actual problematic aspects and is instead entirely fueled by “fear of the other”.

The #1 priority of any state is maintaining their power. I apologize for the highly reductionist argument but:

Within the USA the private sector is, de facto, the super-executive branch of the state. It has “systematic ways” that it “interferes” with what it’s supposed to be a “democratic” state. Sure there’s a couple hundred oligarchs who all have competing ideas and visions but they, generally, understand that #1 rule.

Within China the CCP is, de facto, the super-executive branch of the state. It has “systematic ways” that it “interferes” with what it’s supposed to be a “democratic” state. Sure there’s a couple hundred general committee members who all have competing ideas and visions but they, generally, understand that #1 rule.

Within the USA any attempts at pulling power out of the “private sector” is a direct threat and any ideas around a “strong public sector” are a direct threat which is meet with propaganda, repression and violence.

Within China any attempts at pulling power out of the “public sector” is a direct threat and any ideas around a “strong private sector” are a direct threat which is meet with propaganda, repression and violence.

If your argument is honestly one against repression then stop spreading USA propaganda. Everyone knows that’s how the CCP works. If you’re going to convince anybody you need to evaluate and explain why it works that way and why it’s a “problem”.

As an example, the Jack Ma example is a particularly salient one as it would be, imo, comparable to Elon Musk being disappeared not long after floating the idea of DOGE. However your attempt to invoke comparisons to protest movements in the US; IE Fred Hampton, the Furgeson 6, 2020 disappearances, Columbia U ICE raids etc. feels disingenuous to me. Could you expand on that?

“As more students come to school traumatized by living through fires, floods, and other extreme weather, teachers are being asked to do more than educate — they’re also acting as untrained therapists.”

“Doomerism” isn’t the issue. The issue is that kids are living through real shit and realizing that the adults around them are unable/unwilling to help/protect them when it’s needed. Your suggestion to fight “doomerism” is going to appear as a continuation of that and break any remaining trust even further.

Hope can be a useful tool, but within the context of American schools it’s more often a tool for gaslighting and control than meaningful change.