A defining moment for democracy
Teachers have always had a huge responsibility for the next generation: To teach and nurture students so they have the opportunity to live fulfilling lives. To make our classrooms and schools safe and affirming. To help young people develop the skills, confidence and sense of responsibility to be engaged citizens.
Today the role of America’s teachers is even bigger — they are called on to be defenders of decency and guardians of democracy because, while our democracy has never been perfect, today its very existence is threatened.
President Trump has trampled rights enshrined in the Constitution. He has waged a war on truth and scoffed at the rule of law. He has incited people to fear others for absolutely no good reason. He is enamored of despots, and distances our allies. He has put commerce and greed over human rights. He has stoked America’s divisions in order to exploit them.
Our freedoms are under attack by a president who threatens to imprison his political opponents, who openly wishes he could “get rid” of journalists, and who props up white nationalism.
Our elections are undermined by widespread voter suppression, by extreme partisan gerrymandering (which was just upheld by the Supreme Court), and by open invitations to foreign interference — with Trump even joking CONTINUE READING: A defining moment for democracy - AFT Voices
