Teachers who don’t care
posted Nov. 23 - 7:01 pm by Paula E. Kirman
During Judy Rebick's Q&A period, one comment really resounded with me. An elementary school teacher was lamenting that her colleagues really did not care about the kinds of issues like the ones discussed at the Parkland Conference. In her own words, "they just don't give a shit."
I am not currently working as a teacher, but I have a background in education, so this comment really stuck in my mind. I remember my university days taking my teacher preparation courses, and noticing how conservative many of my fellow students were. I think back to my own school days and one or two teachers come to mind who may have been progressive (OK, one for sure - she was a founding Raging Granny), some I am sure were conservative, but alas most of them did not seem to have an opinion about anything one way or the other.
I am not sure if the teaching profession is any different than any other slice of life in our population. As Rebick pointed out, most people are interested in lookint for number one: themselves and their families. The challenge is how to engage these people in social issues. As most activists know, it is possible to balance progressive politics with taking care of oneself.
This is especially true since having more radical ideas about the economy is what is needed to keep afloat during a time of recession and job scarcity. Organizing, once seen as the realm of radical labour activists, is going to have to become the norm of average working people. It has been done in countries like Argentina and Bolivia (where Rebick has travelled) and it can be done here.
Radical really is practical, after all.
