I am just back from Washington, DC, where I spent three days on the pavement in front of the Department of Education building, with several hundred others from around the country, at Occupy the Department of Education 2.0. There were teachers, students, parents, principals and professors, all pouring out their frustrations and hopes on that plaza. The doors of the building opened once to allow in a small group of students from the protest, who met with the DoEd staff youth outreach team. The students reported that the staff seemed unaware of the ways that students' lives have been scripted and standardized by test after test.
We stood up together, and we listened to one another. We marched to the White House, and we met in a church basement to talk some more.
We learned. We heard from teachers, like Michelle Gunderson of Chicago, who shared how she had built unity at her school so that they were able to stand 100% united in last year's strike. We heard Lois Weiner remind us that teachers in the United Kingdom and Mexico are facing the same issues that we are. This is not just a national movement, it is international. Brian Jones gave us hope when he pointed out that the victories the "reformers" have won are temporary at best, and rest on false promises that they don't have the ability to fulfill. Denisha Jones told us about her research into the threats to teacher preparation programs. Deborah Meier pointed out that schools are just one of many democratic spaces that are under attack. And dozens of other speakers inspired and taught us.
Perhaps most inspiring were the students. Sarah Smith, the daughter of a kindergarten teacher, protested at Wisconsin's capitol every day in 2011. Stephanie Rivera, who joined with others to organize a new group, Students United for Public Education.
A Chicago student said:
"I am #378947. That is my CPS code number. Student voices have been shut out, and we are here to change this. I am not just a number. I am Israel Muņoz, and I am one of the Chicago Students Organizing to Save Our Schools."
Israel told us what is happening in in his community:
"The largest school closings in history are set to happen in Chicago this year. All these closings are in low income, African American and Latino communities. As a result, young students will have to cross dangerous gang territories. This is genocide. Our education is dying. 30,000 elementary students will be affected - but every student in Chicago is affected. Students will be crowded into classrooms, rival territories. Unacceptable. Not necessary. Underutilized schools have been neglected. Reduce the number of students per class and use all the rooms! Of course, that would require investing in our schools. Rahm Emanuel says there is no money. Every year, $250 million in tax increment financing is taken from money that's intended for blighted communities. But these monies go to downtown businesses, not our poor communities."
Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis advised us to always think about three things before deciding on what to do. First, will it unite us? Second, will it make us stronger? And third, will it give us more power?
Really, these three things can be boiled down to one word: Solidarity. It is our greatest asset.
The Network for Public Education is looking to build solidarity with all those who protested last week at the Department of Education. We also want to support even more grassroots activism. Today we are watching the news from Newark closely, to hear how the students there have walked out in protest of budget cuts.
On Saturday, April 13, we will host our first webinar, focused on grassroots organizing, featuring our allies in Indiana. Our movement is growing, but we need to reach out, organize, and find greater strength. Please join, and spread the word to others.
A Nebraska activist sent along this quote today:
:
"Each of us feels some aspect of the world's suffering acutely. And we must pay attention. We must act. This little corner of the world is ours to transform. This little corner of the world is ours to save." Stephen Cope.
Each of us has that little corner we are working on, and when we help one another, that is what solidarity is all about.
Anthony
