--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In Hollywood films and television…" description: "\"“In Hollywood films and television documentaries, the battle lines are clearly drawn. Traditional public schools are bad; their supporters are apologis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/diane-ravitch-11245_civil-rights_in-hollywood-films-and-television-docume_1452368.jpg" --- # In Hollywood films and television documentaries, the… ![“In Hollywood films and television documentaries, the battle lines are clearly drawn. Traditional public schools are bad; their supporters are apologists for the unions. Those who advocate for charter schools, virtual schooling, and “school choice” are reformers; their supporters insist they are…” quote by Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/diane-ravitch-11245_civil-rights_in-hollywood-films-and-television-docume_1452368.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/diane-ravitch-11245_civil-rights_in-hollywood-films-and-television-docume_1452368.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/diane-ravitch-11245_civil-rights_in-hollywood-films-and-television-docume_1452368.jpg) > ““In Hollywood films and television documentaries, the battle lines are clearly drawn. Traditional public schools are bad; their supporters are apologists for the unions. Those who advocate for charter schools, virtual schooling, and “school choice” are reformers; their supporters insist they are championing the rights of minorities. They say they are leaders of the civil rights movement of our day. It is a compelling narrative, one that gives us easy villains and ready-made solutions. It appeals to values Americans have traditionally cherished—choice, freedom, optimism, and a latent distrust of government. There is only one problem with this narrative. It is wrong.”” [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrative frames education reform as a moral battle, simplifying complex issues into villains and heroes, which misrepresents reality. **In simple terms:** Education debate is oversimplified into good vs evil. Key Takeaway Question narratives and seek nuanced solutions. Themes education politics media reform choice Mood critical analytical skeptical Type argumentative political When to use this quote - school board meetings - parent-teacher conferences - policy debates - media analysis Key Concepts public policy social narrative ideology Questions to Reflect On - How does simplifying complex issues affect policy? - What voices are missing in this narrative? A Different Perspective The binary framing can ignore systemic factors and diverse stakeholder needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charter schools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charter-schools/) [Civil Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-right/) [Civil rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights/) [Civil rights movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights-movement/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Public schools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-schools/) [Rights movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-movement/) [School choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-choice/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [ President-elect \[Donald\] Trump has made a provocative choice for secretary of education. Betsy DeVos comes from a wealthy Michigan family. She is an advocate… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-inskeep/president-elect-donald-trump-has-made-a-provocative-choice-for/) [Steve Inskeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-inskeep/) > [I think charter schools, choice, and frankly school standards need a champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/i-think-charter-schools-choice-and-frankly-school-standards-need-a/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [Arizona is a national leader in school choice with both charter schools and tuition tax credits giving parents and their children more school choices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-d-hull/arizona-is-a-national-leader-in-school-choice-with-both-charter/) [Jane D. Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-d-hull/) > [America deserves common sense immigration reform that reflects our interests and our values as Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-johnson/america-deserves-common-sense-immigration-reform-that-reflects-our/) [Hank Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-johnson/) > [Social Security is truly a test of our values as Americans. Social Security is a fundamental promise that lifts half of our seniors out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senator-john-kerry/social-security-is-truly-a-test-of-our-values-as-americans-social/) [Senator John Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senator-john-kerry/) > [The abuse of prisoners hurts America's cause in the war on terror, endangers US service members who might be captured by the enemy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/the-abuse-of-prisoners-hurts-america-s-cause-in-the-war-on-terror/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [We stand with Israel as a Jewish democratic state because we know that Israel is born of firmly held values that we, as Americans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-stand-with-israel-as-a-jewish-democratic-state-because-we-know/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We really have no choice but to pray and encourage a return to an America steeped in Judeo-Christian values. It is either that or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lapin/we-really-have-no-choice-but-to-pray-and-encourage-a-return-to-an/) [Daniel Lapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lapin/) > [If charter schools are not more successful on average than the public schools they replace, what is accomplished by demolishing public education? What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/if-charter-schools-are-not-more-successful-on-average-than-the-public/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [“If we continue on the present course, with big foundations and the federal government investing heavily in opening more charter schools, the result is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/if-we-continue-on-the-present-course-with-big-foundations-and-the/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [I don't think the riots derailed the civil rights movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-louis-gates/i-don-t-think-the-riots-derailed-the-civil-rights-movement/) [Henry Louis Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-louis-gates/) > [The mainstream sort of presentation of the civil rights movement was not something that I directly inherited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/the-mainstream-sort-of-presentation-of-the-civil-rights-movement-was/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [As a southerner born after the epic events of the civil rights movement, I've always wondered how on earth people of good will could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-meacham/as-a-southerner-born-after-the-epic-events-of-the-civil-rights/) [Jon Meacham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-meacham/) > [LISTEN: If you ever wondered what you would do if you were alive in the Civil Rights Movement, NOW IS THE TIME to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-king/listen-if-you-ever-wondered-what-you-would-do-if-you-were-alive-in/) [Shaun King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-king/) > [Most students graduate from high school knowing nine words about the civil rights movement: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and "I Have a Dream."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-aydin/most-students-graduate-from-high-school-knowing-nine-words-about-the/) [Andrew Aydin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-aydin/) ## More by Diane Ravitch > [“Our schools will not improve if we continue to focus only on reading and mathematics while ignoring the other studies that are essential elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/our-schools-will-not-improve-if-we-continue-to-focus-only-on-reading/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [We will continue to chase rainbows unless we recognize that they are rainbows and there is no pot of gold at the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/we-will-continue-to-chase-rainbows-unless-we-recognize-that-they-are/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [When you succeed at keeping almost everyone in school, you must figure out ways to educate everyone you keep in school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/when-you-succeed-at-keeping-almost-everyone-in-school-you-must-figure/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [“The history of education is a seemingly endless parade of “new ideas” that are actually old ideas renamed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/the-history-of-education-is-a-seemingly-endless-parade-of-new-ideas/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [We should totally ban for-profit charters. For-profit's first obligation is to its stockholders, not to its children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/we-should-totally-ban-for-profit-charters-for-profit-s-first/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [“By picking a few winners, the Race to the Top competition abandoned the traditional idea of equality of educational opportunity, where federal aid favored…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/by-picking-a-few-winners-the-race-to-the-top-competition-abandoned/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [“The reformers define the purpose of education as preparation for global competitiveness, higher education, or the workforce. They view students as “human capital” or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/the-reformers-define-the-purpose-of-education-as-preparation-for/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [“While I have never been a member of any union, I was a friend of Albert Shanker, president of the American Federation of Teachers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/while-i-have-never-been-a-member-of-any-union-i-was-a-friend-of/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [In DC, policymakers think that if we can only have high enough standards, tough enough tests, and hold people accountable, we can close the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/in-dc-policymakers-think-that-if-we-can-only-have-high-enough/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [“The corporate reform movement has co-opted progressive themes and language in the service of radical purposes. Advocating the privatization of public education is deeply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/the-corporate-reform-movement-has-co-opted-progressive-themes-and/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [American Education has a long history of infatuation with fads and ill-considered ideas. The current obsession with making our schools work like a business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/american-education-has-a-long-history-of-infatuation-with-fads-and/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [An attack on public education is an attack on democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/an-attack-on-public-education-is-an-attack-on-democracy/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [The greatest obstacle to those who hope to reform American education is complacency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/the-greatest-obstacle-to-those-who-hope-to-reform-american-education/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [“Social scientists generally agree that students’ families (especially family income, which determines advantages and opportunity) have an even bigger impact on student performance than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/social-scientists-generally-agree-that-students-families-especially/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [The ladder was there, from the gutter to the university, and for those stalwart enough to ascend it, the schools were a boon and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/the-ladder-was-there-from-the-gutter-to-the-university-and-for-those/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) [Explore all 61 Diane Ravitch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) ## More Charter schools quotes > [ They \[Mc Donalds\] take people and give them a first job, which enables them to get a second job. They do a very good… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/they-mc-donalds-take-people-and-give-them-a-first-job-which-enables/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I would argue that the charter schools are really good at building programming and curriculum around the issues and the interests of the kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-baker/i-would-argue-that-the-charter-schools-are-really-good-at-building/) [Charlie Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-baker/) > [Charter schools are not a panacea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/charter-schools-are-not-a-panacea/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Republicans get a lot of money from big business, but they are not tied to the union dollar. As a result they have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-williams/republicans-get-a-lot-of-money-from-big-business-but-they-are-not/) [Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-williams/) > [Apparently almost anyone can do a better job of educating children than our so-called 'educators' in the public schools. Children who are home-schooled by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/apparently-almost-anyone-can-do-a-better-job-of-educating-children/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [I'm very committed to its educational institutions, including my alma mater Central Falls High School's drama program, because I know that's what got me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/i-m-very-committed-to-its-educational-institutions-including-my-alma/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [Betsy DeVos is not the most informed person on education policy, but I have seen her present a few times, and she presents as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/betsy-devos-is-not-the-most-informed-person-on-education-policy-but-i/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [New Hampshire charter schools have proven themselves to be an integral part of our state's high-quality public education system for thousands of students.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sununu/new-hampshire-charter-schools-have-proven-themselves-to-be-an/) [Chris Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sununu/) > [Charter schools are just public schools on a slightly longer leash. A dog on a long leash is still a dog on a leash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-fritz/charter-schools-are-just-public-schools-on-a-slightly-longer-leash-a/) [Marshall Fritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-fritz/) > [Younger teachers are definitely more likely to have worked at charter schools as opposed to have just heard of them. Charter schools explicitly look,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goldstein/younger-teachers-are-definitely-more-likely-to-have-worked-at-charter/) [Dana Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goldstein/) > [Not every child learns for the same purpose, not every child thrives in the same settings and schools. Limiting a child to just one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/not-every-child-learns-for-the-same-purpose-not-every-child-thrives/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [Arizona is a national leader in school choice with both charter schools and tuition tax credits giving parents and their children more school choices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-d-hull/arizona-is-a-national-leader-in-school-choice-with-both-charter/) [Jane D. Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-d-hull/) > [90 percent of American schoolchildren are in public schools. And the emphasis on private schools and charter schools and parochial schools is not unimportant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/90-percent-of-american-schoolchildren-are-in-public-schools-and-the/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Charter schools have a far higher proportion of teachers who are not certified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-gallagher/charter-schools-have-a-far-higher-proportion-of-teachers-who-are-not/) [Maggie Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-gallagher/) > [It's time to update traditional public schools, charter schools, home schools, online schools and parochial schools. Let the dollars follow the child instead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-jindal/it-s-time-to-update-traditional-public-schools-charter-schools-home/) [Bobby Jindal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-jindal/) [Browse all 56 Charter schools quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charter-schools/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In Hollywood films and television documentaries, the battle lines are clearly drawn. Traditional public schools are bad; their supporters are apologists for the unions. Those who advocate for charter schools, virtual schooling, and “school choice” are reformers; their supporters insist they are championing the rights of minorities. They say they are leaders of the civil rights movement of our day. It is a compelling narrative, one that gives us easy villains and ready-made solutions. It appeals to values Americans have traditionally cherished—choice, freedom, optimism, and a latent distrust of government. There is only one problem with this narrative. It is wrong.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diane Ravitch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/in-hollywood-films-and-television-documentaries-the-battle-lines-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Charter schools" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/in-hollywood-films-and-television-documentaries-the-battle-lines-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/diane-ravitch-11245_civil-rights_in-hollywood-films-and-television-docume_1452368.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/diane-ravitch-11245_civil-rights_in-hollywood-films-and-television-docume_1452368.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/diane-ravitch-11245_civil-rights_in-hollywood-films-and-television-docume_1452368.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In Hollywood films and television documentaries, the battle lines are clearly drawn. Traditional public…” — Diane Ravitch", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Diane Ravitch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“In Hollywood films and television documentaries,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/in-hollywood-films-and-television-documentaries-the-battle-lines-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/in-hollywood-films-and-television-documentaries-the-battle-lines-are/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```