A few days ago
Anonymous

Waldorf schools, are they racist? Rudolf Steiner was…?

I am attending a Waldorf course right now and read on the Internet that Steiner was racist…I am shocked and don´t know what to do,the schools might not act upon all of Steiner´s ideas, but I strongly dislike the idea of the founder being a racist…what can I ask them to find out more without being offensive?

Top 4 Answers
A few days ago
?

Favorite Answer

Hold on. You need to consider your history before you can attribute racism as an individual attribute.

The late 1800 in Germany was a period when the ideas of Social Darwinism flourished. The notion of a better suited, more intelligent, ideal type of people was not new. In fact the idea was thought highly scientific by men of reason. It was not deemed racism but science.

These ideas/beliefs are evident in Goethe’s work, Nietzsche, and Wagner’s music. Such beliefs were the basis for the growth of nationalism and militarism prior to WWI and again prior to WWII.

These theories have since fallen out of favor and are seen today in a different light. Therefore, Steiner can then be considered a man knowledgeable of the scientific beliefs of his day.

If we use today’s standards to judge the past, then Tedddy Roosevelt and many, many others were racist. Then there is no explanation for missionaries trying to tame the “Nobel savages.” That bit of history carries a very different impression of the period today than it did 150 years ago. In the past, many Christians saw themselves as aiding the native peoples but by today’s standards, we see things differently.

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5 years ago
Anonymous
There are very few Waldorf (If any) schools in Ireland. My brother went to one In England (He’s 17 now). My parents think such schools are good. The type of school really doesn’t matter. It all depends on what you can afford and what schools are in the local area and what schools have the best reputation and facilities. But as long as they get a good education, then it really makes no difference.Private and public schools here in Ireland make no difference. They are the exact same to me (I recently transferred to a public school for the 1st time). As a matter of fact, my class here is 4 people smaller than in my old school! And I get more Homework. I do believe my cousin Attended a Rudolf Steiner school. And from what I gather, he thoroughly enjoyed his time there!
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A few days ago
dccuttie75
You should definately had done more research.It would’nt hurt to still ask if you really want to know.Good for you young lady.I’m a 31yr old black woman and I have friends of all colors.Can you just imagine how plain the world would be if it had just one race.It’s not to late continue to ask more questions about this school until you feel comfortable.Now when you say Waldorf Idk if you’re talking about Maryland because I’m in the Washington DC are and although I have heard that it’s a little racist in that part of Maryland I have never seen it first hand myself.If your talking about Waldorf Md.(Goodluck)
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A few days ago
MMSfaith
just ask it shouldn’t offend them if a student wants 2 learn more about the school and its founder!
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