As a union representing educators, we have a vested interest in public policy, and therefore politics. And as a union, AFT Michigan has received our fair share of criticism from people who believe politics do not belong in education.
At best, the claims that we should keep education and politics separate are somewhat misguided. At worst, they’re an effort to silence educators, staff, and advocates who speak up about issues within our public education system and defend the right to safe, honest education.
First off, we cannot ignore the truth that public education is shaped by elected officials at multiple levels of government, as it should be — it’s a public good, and it’s critical that the public have a say. These necessary functions — and the individual actions that shape them, like voting and debating concrete research-based policies — are one thing. To borrow from the great John Lewis, this is “good political action.” This is the kind of political action that belongs in public education, the kind of political action we engage with.
Unfortunately, K-12 education and higher education have become politicized to a degree that is toxic and even dangerous. And, ironically, some of the strongest critics of “politics in the classroom” are the same people who have turned public education into a political war zone in numerous ways.
Republican elected officials and right-wing agitators have sprung into action to oppose safe, honest education and inclusive classrooms....
Shahid Kapoor's mom and Bollywood actress Neelima Azeem has always been vocal about her personal life and has never shied away from speaking her mind. In a recent interview, Neelima also spoke abo...