Opening up the public-school gulag

National Review, July 20, 1992 by Charles J. Sykes

But Grover and the educrats had tipped their hand. It is no longer beefy white racists who are standing in the schoolhouse door; today it is beefy white liberals, who care so deeply about the poor that they cannot imagine giving them the power to make decisions over their own lives. They know that empowering parents can be a contagious idea. The educrats are not afraid that choice will fail; they are terrified it will succeed.

The fight over Messmer revealed also just how differently educrats and inner-city parents think about education. Given the dangers young blacks face in the nation's inner cities--illiteracy, drugs, gang violence-few black parents lose much sleep worrying that their children will be exposed to prayer. The educrats, however, worry about it for them. (Repeat after me: A crucifix submerged in urine is art; a crucifix in a classroom is a threat to our constitutional freedom.)

All of this underlines the potency of school choice in the upcoming campaign. What other issue reflects so clearly what is at stake in America's culture war? Or highlights the Left's fixation on defending an indefensible status quo? Or demonstrates that while liberals insist they care, it is the Republicans who are willing to trust?

After Wisconsin's educrats rejected Messmer, Brother Bob said, "I'm sure that's going to send shock waves, and there's going to be some anger and some resentment." He intends to fight. "This could end up being a landmark nationally--it's that important."

If George Bush understands that, there may yet be hope.

Mr. Sykes's latest book, A Nation of Victims, will be published in September by St. Martin's Press. He is the editor of WI: Wisconsin Interest.