Educational crisis ignored while bathroom debates dominate schools

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During HBO’s “Real Time” after-show “Overtime,” former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel expressed strong views on the current state of education and transgender bathroom policies. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Emanuel addressed the ongoing debates about transgender bathroom access in schools.

Emanuel shifted the focus to what he considers a more pressing concern: the declining state of education in America. He emphasized the alarming drop in reading proficiency among eighth-grade students, noting that these scores had hit their lowest point in three decades. The former mayor expressed frustration that political leaders across all levels – from local mayors to the president – weren’t addressing this educational crisis.

When @RahmEmanuel becomes the voice of reason you know things have gotten bad. pic.twitter.com/tKSkIN8KjT

— Libs Of Chicago (@Libs_OfChicago) March 1, 2025

Making his point with characteristic bluntness, Emanuel stated, “Look, in 7th grade, if I had known that I could have said the word ‘they’ and got in the girl’s bathroom, I would have done it.” He continued to express his concerns about America’s educational competitiveness, particularly in relation to China’s population of 1.4 billion people, highlighting that two-thirds of American children struggle with eighth-grade reading levels.

Emanuel concluded his remarks with a decisive statement: “I don’t want to hear another word about the bathroom until you tell me what you’re going to do with the classroom. Enough.” His comments reflect a growing debate about priority-setting in American education policy, suggesting that while bathroom access policies are important, they shouldn’t overshadow fundamental educational challenges.

First people said Chicago couldn't have a worse Mayor than Rahm Emanuel. Then they said Chicago couldn't do worse than Lori Lightfoot… pic.twitter.com/1ejPGcQAlb

— The Beloved Debs (@McDebida) February 24, 2025