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Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy
A rousing defense of public education as the cornerstone of American democracy, by the woman attacked by the far right as “the most dangerous person in the world”
Attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of fascist Throughout history, as many dictators rose to power they began banning books and controlling curriculum. Fascists fear teachers because teachers foster an educated and empowered population that can see past propaganda and scare tactics. Fascists fear teachers because they teach young people how to think for themselves.
As the head of one of the largest teachers’ unions in America, Randi Weingarten is among the last lines of defense for American public education. For decades, she has sounded the alarm that attacks on teachers are part of a larger, darker agenda—to undermine democracy, opportunity, and public education as we know it. After the Trump administration declared its intention to dismantle the Department of Education, that alarm became undeniable. This book tells the story of what teachers do and why those who are afraid of freedom and opportunity try to stop them. It explains why all Americans should care about attacks on schools and teachers—whether they have school-aged children or not. In the past as today, the fate of the United States is inexorably intertwined with the fate of public education.
Drawing on history, stories from teachers on the front lines, and decades of experience with America’s public schools, Weingarten argues that teaching students to think critically is the key to defeating would-be dictators. She encourages teachers to continue focusing on their vital mission to help young people thrive—creating opportunity in safe and welcoming classrooms, promoting tolerance, and teaching problem solving, critical thinking, and healthy debate. She cautions against censorship and complacency, looking to the past to warn us all about what can happen if we devalue teachers and public schools.
A manifesto for our time, Why Fascists Fear Teachers is necessary reading for every American worried about the future of our democracy.
Attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of fascist Throughout history, as many dictators rose to power they began banning books and controlling curriculum. Fascists fear teachers because teachers foster an educated and empowered population that can see past propaganda and scare tactics. Fascists fear teachers because they teach young people how to think for themselves.
As the head of one of the largest teachers’ unions in America, Randi Weingarten is among the last lines of defense for American public education. For decades, she has sounded the alarm that attacks on teachers are part of a larger, darker agenda—to undermine democracy, opportunity, and public education as we know it. After the Trump administration declared its intention to dismantle the Department of Education, that alarm became undeniable. This book tells the story of what teachers do and why those who are afraid of freedom and opportunity try to stop them. It explains why all Americans should care about attacks on schools and teachers—whether they have school-aged children or not. In the past as today, the fate of the United States is inexorably intertwined with the fate of public education.
Drawing on history, stories from teachers on the front lines, and decades of experience with America’s public schools, Weingarten argues that teaching students to think critically is the key to defeating would-be dictators. She encourages teachers to continue focusing on their vital mission to help young people thrive—creating opportunity in safe and welcoming classrooms, promoting tolerance, and teaching problem solving, critical thinking, and healthy debate. She cautions against censorship and complacency, looking to the past to warn us all about what can happen if we devalue teachers and public schools.
A manifesto for our time, Why Fascists Fear Teachers is necessary reading for every American worried about the future of our democracy.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2025
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October 6, 2025
Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy starts with the invasion of Norway by Hitler and the overwhelming resistance by teachers in Norway. Teachers were required to join a Nazi teacher network. Twelve thousand out of fourteen thousand teachers refused to join. When physical intimidation didn't work, the Nazis closed schools in Norway. The teachers held classes in private locations and continued teaching and kept promoting freedom of information and freedom of thought.
Very powerful and memorable opening about the role of teachers and education. Public schools are and always have been the key opportunity engine for America's future. Public schools are our North Star. They set children up for success, creating opportunity for all that is essential to the good of our nation.
Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy focuses on the four foundational things they do that are important to the future of our students and the well-being of our nation:
1. Teachers teach critical thinking
2. Teachers create welcoming and safe communities
3. Teachers create opportunity for every young person to have their shot at the American dream
4. Teachers build strong unions
Several key quotes include:
* Thomas Jefferson: Educate and inform the whole mass of people; they are the only reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
* Timothy Snyder: The whole point of fascism is that you reject reason in favor of will.
* Frederick Douglas: Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. To deny education to any people is one of the greatest crimes against human nature.
* FDR: The real safeguard of democracy is education.
* JFK: Only an educated and informed people will be a free people. The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs security for all.
* MLK: Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the truth from the faults, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction. The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.
* LBJ: Freedom is the right to share fully and equally in American society.
* LBJ: Education is the only valid passport from poverty.
Author, Randi Weingarten, is the elected president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). 90% of students attend public schools. Weingarten thoroughly explains the voucher system and how it primarily helps wealthy students and damages public schools. Politicians who attack diversity, equity, and inclusion do it to turn Americans against each other while exacerbating inequality. School vouchers use taxpayer money to pay for religious schools, homeschooling, or private schools for the super-rich while dismantling public education for others.
During the 2024 election, Donal Trump repeatedly alleged that children were getting gender confirmation surgery at school. In 2019, Trump's Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos attacked public school teachers as union bullies. The point of these attacks is to despair teachers. The far-right smears public schools and public-school teachers in order to push school privatization.
In 2023, 110 bills were introduced in state legislatures attempting to curtail what teachers can and cannot do. Americans want our public schools to be strengthened, not discarded.
I am proud that many family members are or have been public school teachers, including my daughter, daughter-in-law, aunt and stepmom. Teachers knit together a shared belonging, understanding, and purpose---the foundations of American democracy. Teachers create future leaders.
Very powerful and memorable opening about the role of teachers and education. Public schools are and always have been the key opportunity engine for America's future. Public schools are our North Star. They set children up for success, creating opportunity for all that is essential to the good of our nation.
Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy focuses on the four foundational things they do that are important to the future of our students and the well-being of our nation:
1. Teachers teach critical thinking
2. Teachers create welcoming and safe communities
3. Teachers create opportunity for every young person to have their shot at the American dream
4. Teachers build strong unions
Several key quotes include:
* Thomas Jefferson: Educate and inform the whole mass of people; they are the only reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
* Timothy Snyder: The whole point of fascism is that you reject reason in favor of will.
* Frederick Douglas: Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. To deny education to any people is one of the greatest crimes against human nature.
* FDR: The real safeguard of democracy is education.
* JFK: Only an educated and informed people will be a free people. The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs security for all.
* MLK: Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the truth from the faults, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction. The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.
* LBJ: Freedom is the right to share fully and equally in American society.
* LBJ: Education is the only valid passport from poverty.
Author, Randi Weingarten, is the elected president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). 90% of students attend public schools. Weingarten thoroughly explains the voucher system and how it primarily helps wealthy students and damages public schools. Politicians who attack diversity, equity, and inclusion do it to turn Americans against each other while exacerbating inequality. School vouchers use taxpayer money to pay for religious schools, homeschooling, or private schools for the super-rich while dismantling public education for others.
During the 2024 election, Donal Trump repeatedly alleged that children were getting gender confirmation surgery at school. In 2019, Trump's Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos attacked public school teachers as union bullies. The point of these attacks is to despair teachers. The far-right smears public schools and public-school teachers in order to push school privatization.
In 2023, 110 bills were introduced in state legislatures attempting to curtail what teachers can and cannot do. Americans want our public schools to be strengthened, not discarded.
I am proud that many family members are or have been public school teachers, including my daughter, daughter-in-law, aunt and stepmom. Teachers knit together a shared belonging, understanding, and purpose---the foundations of American democracy. Teachers create future leaders.
January 30, 2026
Required reading — not just for teachers
September 17, 2025
This is the book I've been waiting for. I have been wondering why all these crazy attacks are happening against our teachers and schools and this explains it. The extremists really want to end education for all and opportunity and FREE SPEECH and are gonna just attack and attack this book AND public school teachers. But if you care about democracy and a better future for our kids, you should read this -- and fight WITH teachers, not against them
October 3, 2025
Reading this book made me realize that teachers (and unions) are the backbone of this country. Our contribution in society is so important. We educate and grow our scholars to think and question. This is so important, especially at this critical time in our country’s history.
December 14, 2025
I have to clarify that I am completely with Randi and the purpose of this book. It does a pretty okay job of making the case for the book's title, but I'm not sure it's written to convince the people who *need* to read it. And for people who agree with her, the book has too many platitudes that people who already think deeply about the history, purpose, relationship, and role of public schools in a democratic society will probably find filler, lines such as "Public schools and public school teachers help create thoughtful and engaged students capable of reviving and strengthening democracy and perpetuity. And fascists don't like that because fascists don't like democracy." Of course I agree, but so what?
I'd say it's a pretty good book for readers who are new to these issues, but I'm not sure it offers anything new or insightful for people who follow current events or have previously read any of the source material.
Jennifer Berkshire & Jack Schneider's recent books, A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door and The Education Wars, do a *much* better job of making this case with better evidence AND providing solutions. Or go right to the source and read Dewey, Freire, Giroux, or other critical pedagogy thinkers.
I'd say it's a pretty good book for readers who are new to these issues, but I'm not sure it offers anything new or insightful for people who follow current events or have previously read any of the source material.
Jennifer Berkshire & Jack Schneider's recent books, A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door and The Education Wars, do a *much* better job of making this case with better evidence AND providing solutions. Or go right to the source and read Dewey, Freire, Giroux, or other critical pedagogy thinkers.
December 11, 2025
Picked it up, did not finish. Terrible writing and terrible ideas.
This creature has no business being anywhere near children, or education. Unions in general are terrible, hers is monstrous. Her fascist stance that parents have little say in the education of their children, keeping kids out of classrooms due to the Scamdemic, and pushing deviant behavior as normal are reasons enough. However, every time she opens her mouth she spouts more leftist drivel.
I've been an educator for 34 years, and each year it is more important for parents to either educate their children at home, or get them in a good private school. Until the Randis and all their ilk are locked up in institutions where they belong, and education in American goes back to basics, to give children the tools be become good citizens, and not blue-haired baristas protesting everything they do not like as "FASCIST!"
This creature has no business being anywhere near children, or education. Unions in general are terrible, hers is monstrous. Her fascist stance that parents have little say in the education of their children, keeping kids out of classrooms due to the Scamdemic, and pushing deviant behavior as normal are reasons enough. However, every time she opens her mouth she spouts more leftist drivel.
I've been an educator for 34 years, and each year it is more important for parents to either educate their children at home, or get them in a good private school. Until the Randis and all their ilk are locked up in institutions where they belong, and education in American goes back to basics, to give children the tools be become good citizens, and not blue-haired baristas protesting everything they do not like as "FASCIST!"
September 18, 2025
This book is both a history lesson and a call to action, and above all a story about the heroism of educators. At a time when schools are under siege from political culture wars, this book reminds us that teachers are not attacked for what they do wrong, but for everything they do right. She is clear about the threats facing public education, yet she writes with hope and determination. This book is timely and inspiring. Now more than ever we need stories that speak truth in the face of authoritarianism.
September 25, 2025
I really want to try to give this book an actual written review, but it’s a political piece in a lot of ways so I don’t want to give my actual opinion on that. Personally, I will always read both sides of the aisle, as I find the truth of most things is often somewhere in the middle.
I found a lot of this book to be opinion attacking 2 people, however I did find a lot of factual information in here. I will love to use the list of references the author provided so I can read into them myself as well.
One thing we can all agree on is this book is important, no matter where you fall in your political beliefs, because the students are important. Teachers are SO important and we have to support them.
I do enjoy the author’s writing style. I often find books of this nature to be hard to read, as there’s so much information being spit at you at once, and I did not find that to be the case here. It split up facts and anecdotes very well.
I found a lot of this book to be opinion attacking 2 people, however I did find a lot of factual information in here. I will love to use the list of references the author provided so I can read into them myself as well.
One thing we can all agree on is this book is important, no matter where you fall in your political beliefs, because the students are important. Teachers are SO important and we have to support them.
I do enjoy the author’s writing style. I often find books of this nature to be hard to read, as there’s so much information being spit at you at once, and I did not find that to be the case here. It split up facts and anecdotes very well.
September 4, 2025
So someone who claims to be interested in a wide variety ideas automatically turns to fear mongering and name calling. This book is a zero for trying to remove the historical and traditional idea of parental rights when it comes to education. Who is the fascist now Randi?
December 14, 2025
Definitely a book people need to read. As a former teacher, a lot of this is already understood but the author does a great job sharing how scary censorship and anti intellectualism really is.
September 25, 2025
This is a decent book, but it very much preaches to the choir about what teachers know and have been experiencing for the past decade. My biggest concern with it is that I feel it won’t change anyone’s minds on public education, vis a vis whether it needs to be supported more or not. Those who are for it are going to keep supporting it and public school teachers like me, and those who are for vouchers, charter schools, and the dismantlement of the US Department of Education will be just as oppositional as ever. Still… it felt good hearing validation for all the things that have been bothering me since my career started.
September 23, 2025
I ran to the book store on Sunday to buy this book and finished it on Monday. This is an absolute must read for anyone with children or anyone who cares about children and their futures. I learned a lot about vouchers and charter schools. Public education is a common good. It isn't broken. We just need to invest in it so that all children can have the bright future they deserve.
Read
February 3, 2026I was speaking to a friend abt the state of education and she told me that she believed the ROI on education for teachers and nurses, to name a few careers, wasn't worth it, and that there should be less time spent in school earning bachelor's degrees and more time spent in the field doing "real work," so teachers and nurses are left with less debt and more experience. I was pretty baffled by this argument, which I agreed with to a certain extent, and while I don't think I articulated my counterpoint well in that conversation, now, of course, days later, I have it more fully formed.
education, in my opinion, is never a waste of time. education in realms that are not related to the scope of your professional practice is never a waste of time. in fact, the argument that people should only be trained to do the thing they want to do is a terrible one to me. the argument that there needs to be a monetary return on investment when it comes to education only matters when we think about financial benefits of an education, which is a component of this argument that's impossible to ignore and a reason that this argument is so complex.
as someone who earned her BA in English and then a masters in education and now has been teaching for the past ten years, I cannot argue enough that a bachelor's in education or formal teacher training through a structured, accredited program that is not just "on the job" training is essential in developing strong teachers and strong teaching practices. Weingarten touches on a component of this in the chapter about the voucher system and charter schools (both which I also have a complicated relationship with).
all this to say, this book was crazy to read because it all at once felt empowering to me as a teacher and disheartening to me as a citizen of the world. I'm really proud to say that my teacher training and education included a lot of the names Weingarten mentioned in this book, like Ravitch and Kozol, and I'm thankful to my education professors for speaking on diversity, equity, and inclusion when they were teaching me how best to teach and what it means to be a teacher as a human.
education, in my opinion, is never a waste of time. education in realms that are not related to the scope of your professional practice is never a waste of time. in fact, the argument that people should only be trained to do the thing they want to do is a terrible one to me. the argument that there needs to be a monetary return on investment when it comes to education only matters when we think about financial benefits of an education, which is a component of this argument that's impossible to ignore and a reason that this argument is so complex.
as someone who earned her BA in English and then a masters in education and now has been teaching for the past ten years, I cannot argue enough that a bachelor's in education or formal teacher training through a structured, accredited program that is not just "on the job" training is essential in developing strong teachers and strong teaching practices. Weingarten touches on a component of this in the chapter about the voucher system and charter schools (both which I also have a complicated relationship with).
all this to say, this book was crazy to read because it all at once felt empowering to me as a teacher and disheartening to me as a citizen of the world. I'm really proud to say that my teacher training and education included a lot of the names Weingarten mentioned in this book, like Ravitch and Kozol, and I'm thankful to my education professors for speaking on diversity, equity, and inclusion when they were teaching me how best to teach and what it means to be a teacher as a human.
October 23, 2025
Damn. This book makes me feel like a superhero for just doing my job, and frankly, in this political climate? I needed it.
The amount of fear and distrust towards public schools, education, equity, and basic critical thinking skills being thrown around these days is staggering and this book does a great job of situating today’s challenges in history.
Weingarten encapsulates and teaches how throughout various regimes of demagogic leaders in the world, education and teachers are the first to be villainized. She explains how as teachers, we are just trying to do our jobs, but ultimately those in power who are championing a fascist leadership don’t want an educated public and thus fight to destroy public education through the use of union busting, vouchers, pulling public funds, banning books, and causing fear of educators.
Was this a highly liberal take on education? Yes. But was it wrong? (My own experience unfortunately says) No.
The amount of fear and distrust towards public schools, education, equity, and basic critical thinking skills being thrown around these days is staggering and this book does a great job of situating today’s challenges in history.
Weingarten encapsulates and teaches how throughout various regimes of demagogic leaders in the world, education and teachers are the first to be villainized. She explains how as teachers, we are just trying to do our jobs, but ultimately those in power who are championing a fascist leadership don’t want an educated public and thus fight to destroy public education through the use of union busting, vouchers, pulling public funds, banning books, and causing fear of educators.
Was this a highly liberal take on education? Yes. But was it wrong? (My own experience unfortunately says) No.
March 1, 2026
More like 3.5 stars mainly due to its American focus (to be fair, written by the President of the American Federation of Teachers) and not much I didn’t already know or agree with (talk about preaching to the choir).
“Teachers teach critical thinking that strengthens democracy…create safe and welcoming communities…build opportunities…And organize strong unions that give workers real power.”
“Teachers and parents want the same thing…the students in our lives to learn how to read and write and think for themselves and, eventually, find a passion they can turn into a purpose…with the right support and right opportunities, that they can do anything and be anything.”
Not exactly a fascist’s dream. Which is why I couldn’t be prouder to be part of the profession full of colleagues that do what we do. Screw fascists - teachers are here to stay.
“Teachers teach critical thinking that strengthens democracy…create safe and welcoming communities…build opportunities…And organize strong unions that give workers real power.”
“Teachers and parents want the same thing…the students in our lives to learn how to read and write and think for themselves and, eventually, find a passion they can turn into a purpose…with the right support and right opportunities, that they can do anything and be anything.”
Not exactly a fascist’s dream. Which is why I couldn’t be prouder to be part of the profession full of colleagues that do what we do. Screw fascists - teachers are here to stay.
November 25, 2025
"Public schools are more than physical structures. They are the manifestation of our civic values and ideals - the belief that in a free society, free education must be available and accessible to all. The idea that young people deserve opportunities to prepare for life, college, career, and citizenship. The understanding that in a pluralistic society such as ours, people of different beliefs and backgrounds must learn to work together and bridge differences. And the principle that an educated citizenry is essential to protect our democracy from demagogues."
November 29, 2025
4 stars-- This book is lowkey made in a lab for me! I learned a lot reading this book, especially about current events and historical milestones for teacher's unions. I do think some of the points were repetitive, even though these points are important. The writing could be tightened up a bit, and the voice and narration could be clarified. Still worth it :)
November 13, 2025
WHY FASCISTS FEAR TEACHERS: PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY by Randi Weingarten is more warning than why. And that scares me. It should scare you, too. The alarm bells are ringing. Read it now; learn the signs. Then resist.
January 14, 2026
Hell yeah 👍
January 4, 2026
This book should ring alarm bells in the minds of those who value democracy. Although written through an American lens, the parallels between what is currently happening in Alberta under the UCP government and what has been and continues to happen in the US are undeniable. The crisis is real, and Weingarten does an excellent job outlining what has occurred and why, and why the continued fight for public education is integral to the future survival of democracy. A must read for all.
February 17, 2026
I found this book to be generally informative and thought-provoking, especially given current events. I learned a lot about the importance of public schools and education in general as the antidote to fascism while also leading me to reflect back on my own experiences going through the public school system in this country. However, I couldn’t help but feel like the author was interrupting the narrative of the book by often inserting her own contributions as a teacher and president of the AFT. The ending also felt abrupt and left much to be desired, particularly on what the reader can do to support teachers in this country.
January 25, 2026
3.5 stars - first nonfiction book of 2026! Continuing last year’s goal of an average of one per month. 🤞🏻
This one was fine - this is very relevant and important, obviously. It just felt very surface level?
This one was fine - this is very relevant and important, obviously. It just felt very surface level?
January 30, 2026
Good explainer why MAGA (and MAHA) are so against public education. Teaching critical thinking? (That's bad! Indoctrination!) Supporting children and meeting them where they are at? (Indoctrination!) I think she rephrased book bans in a good way: Banning books take choices away from parents (since the right is all about "choices" and "parental rights").
Thinking for yourselves and questioning narratives are all good.
Thinking for yourselves and questioning narratives are all good.
Want to read
November 23, 2025Adding this to my to-read list as Joyce Vance refers to it in her substack 'Civil Discourse' titled, Five Questions with Randi Weingarten, and it sparked my curiosity.
January 15, 2026
Weingarten pulls no punches. This book is a condemnation of America’s current educational system. I would recommend to ANYONE interested in the future of America’s children.
November 6, 2025
Doesn’t break any new ground, but provides important context to what is happening in our education system today. Also, public schools and public school teachers absolutely rock. And we should treat them better than we do.
January 4, 2026
Inspiring work! This reminds me why it’s so important to keep fighting the good fight, even on the bad days.
September 19, 2025
A strong defense of public education, albeit a bit overly broad in focus.
February 21, 2026
This book packs a punch if you’re currently living in the United States, following politics, or sending your kids to school. Randi does a phenomenal job at laying down the groundwork for those who want to fight against the recent attacks on education. She also gets to the bottom of why fascists fear teachers, and you know what, I think she’s right in everything she says. She’s absolutely correct when she says teachers aren’t in it for profit, they’re in it to teach the future leaders of the world. I think we can agree that teachers don’t do their jobs for the money. Teachers are statistically the lowest paid job for the educational requirements required to do their job. It’s wild to me that we underpay a group that’s so essential to, not only our children’s future, but the future of our country. They are underpaid, not by happenstance, but by design and it’s absolutely abhorrent. This book needs to exist and it should be required reading for every American citizen, but especially all parents.
There’s so much important information in this book, I honestly don’t know where to start. The book’s title is very strong, in your face, and deliberate. I’m glad Randi titled it that, but it’s about so much more. She not only explains why fascists fear teachers, but she explains the history of why, techniques the right uses to erode public education, as well as what can be done to help fight back. I think one thing most Americans can agree on (and Randi mentions it as a great starting point), is that all children deserve a good education. That’s an undeniable fact and if you don’t want that, you’re a shitty person. This is the baseline expectation that Randi starts from and I think it’s a good and fair one. (She didn’t say you’re a shitty person if you don’t agree with her, but those are my words because I also feel passionately about education.) Randi also directly links education with the strength of democracy, and therein lies the fear that fascist have of teachers, because their agenda is to educate everyone to create a more fair and just society.
It’s also important to note that Randi uses the language of our founding fathers to support her stance on public education. She invokes John Locke, James Madison, and others to support the idea that education and democracy go hand in hand. This is important because everyone needs to have a voice in a true democracy. Also, an educated voting body is a more informed voting body. If we keep syphoning money out of public education by means of privatization, incorrectly deeming it “wasteful spending,” or claiming that the youth are being indoctrinated by LGBTQ+ topics (which is not happening), then the future of our country is in a dire situation. Our children need to be ready to tackle all situations and topics, which means having a deep understanding of people who are different than you to reach a common goal. They also need to have the basic reading, math, science, and historical knowledge to become active and impactful members of society. This is why fascists attack teachers and schools first, because they’re hoping to change the ideological mindset of the youth (which is humanity at its most malleable) and get them to agree to be mindless followers of one mindset or way of living, when we all know too well that there are so many ways to live a life.
I think the things that surprised me most in this book were the extremes to which far right politicians would go to push their agenda of school privatization and ending public education. They use so many tactics like vouchers, intermingling church and state, cutting vocational programs under the veil of calling it budget waste, and don’t get me started on how they indirectly impact children in a negative manner on a legislative level, such as cutting food stamps for hungry children who also get their lunches cut. The poor kids can’t even finds safety in policy from bullets or technology as school shootings and unrestricted device access runs rampant across our schools, distracting our country’s students from the real agenda, which is to get an education in a safe environment. Also, Republicans want to accuse indoctrination by the left, but let’s talk about the Trump White House doing just that by white washing educational institutions across the United States. If that’s not a forceful indoctrination of a people to believe white supremacist ideals, then I don’t know what a cult is. How can they tell a Black teacher not to accurately teach slavery as it truly happened. That’s not just a slap in the face to that teacher, but to an entire community and the Black students being taught. It’s also an injustice to every other non-Black person who needs to understand how their ancestors caused or inflicted that pain on others. And while many things shocked me in this book, the motives behind the actions did not, because it always leads to the same thing for Republicans and traitor Democrats, money. Greed is truly a poison upon this world and it’s killing our children’s futures. Randi says it best, “We could fund every school equitably and adequately tomorrow if politicians wanted to.” But they don’t. Because they don’t see economic profit in that.
Another thing that didn’t surprise me, but still shocked me nonetheless, were the various links between racism, classicism and the far right’s agenda to destroy public education. The weaponization of critical race theory (CRT) as well as the recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are tactics being used by far right extremists because they are only interested in dividing people further. It does not benefit the rich elites to have us be friendly with each other. It’s easier to control populations of people if you can blind them with rage and xenophobia. Teachers who know history and inclusion won’t bend the knee to any politician who wants to turn back the hands of time and negatively impact any child’s ability to be included and completely understood at school. Another tactic used by the far right are tax vouchers, which I also didn’t know were rooted in racism. Back when schools were going through desegregation, racist communities weren’t having it so vouchers were created to help better funnel taxpayer money to predominately white schools, some of which were private and should not be receiving tax dollars for privileged students to attend in the first place. Randi really helps us link these connections that expose systemic racism, which is exactly the conclusions far right leaders don’t want you making because then you’ll expose their corrupt and racist system, which has been operating for decades under the veil of legal morality and religious righteousness.
Another main point I agree with Randi on, and something near and dear to my heart, is the importance unions have in the future of education and the workforce of not only teachers, but all American workers. I fully believe that unions allow workers to advocate for fair wages, safe work environments, and equality for all in the workplace. Without them, big corporations are allowed to treat their employees with disregard and callousness. And I understand unions get a bad rep because people don’t want to give one more cent of their pay to union dues, which I totally get, but I’d rather my money go back to supporting myself and fellow coworkers rather than being absorbed by a bigger entity that doesn’t need it. Teachers as a workforce have one of the strongest unions in the country and that’s another reason fascists fear teachers because they know how to organize and galvanize their community for a common goal or a good cause. It’s said best in the book, “together we bargain, alone we beg.” I’d rather fight alongside my fellow coworkers than on my own. There’s alway strength in numbers.
And speaking of numbers, the more children we educate, the more successful leaders and citizens our country will have. Education can save the world. I truly believe that and I know Randi does too. But education requires someone to teach it, which is why teachers are so essential. Teachers are also universal. They’re someone all people can relate to. Everyone has had a teacher who has changed their life or really inspired them to be better than they thought was possible. That is some really powerful stuff. Teachers literally mobilize people to become the best versions of themselves and that’s what makes communities, democracies, and countries strong. I think the more we can allow children to be themselves at school, the better they’re going to learn. If they’re well fed and properly clothed, they’ll be able to focus better. If they aren’t getting murdered or texting on their phone, they have a better chance at graduating with high marks. Public education will always be a balancing game that requires push and pull depending on the student population and the times, but it must always persist because it’s the only way a true society can operate with liberty and freedom for all. Please read this book if you care about children’s education and the future of our democracy.
There’s so much important information in this book, I honestly don’t know where to start. The book’s title is very strong, in your face, and deliberate. I’m glad Randi titled it that, but it’s about so much more. She not only explains why fascists fear teachers, but she explains the history of why, techniques the right uses to erode public education, as well as what can be done to help fight back. I think one thing most Americans can agree on (and Randi mentions it as a great starting point), is that all children deserve a good education. That’s an undeniable fact and if you don’t want that, you’re a shitty person. This is the baseline expectation that Randi starts from and I think it’s a good and fair one. (She didn’t say you’re a shitty person if you don’t agree with her, but those are my words because I also feel passionately about education.) Randi also directly links education with the strength of democracy, and therein lies the fear that fascist have of teachers, because their agenda is to educate everyone to create a more fair and just society.
It’s also important to note that Randi uses the language of our founding fathers to support her stance on public education. She invokes John Locke, James Madison, and others to support the idea that education and democracy go hand in hand. This is important because everyone needs to have a voice in a true democracy. Also, an educated voting body is a more informed voting body. If we keep syphoning money out of public education by means of privatization, incorrectly deeming it “wasteful spending,” or claiming that the youth are being indoctrinated by LGBTQ+ topics (which is not happening), then the future of our country is in a dire situation. Our children need to be ready to tackle all situations and topics, which means having a deep understanding of people who are different than you to reach a common goal. They also need to have the basic reading, math, science, and historical knowledge to become active and impactful members of society. This is why fascists attack teachers and schools first, because they’re hoping to change the ideological mindset of the youth (which is humanity at its most malleable) and get them to agree to be mindless followers of one mindset or way of living, when we all know too well that there are so many ways to live a life.
I think the things that surprised me most in this book were the extremes to which far right politicians would go to push their agenda of school privatization and ending public education. They use so many tactics like vouchers, intermingling church and state, cutting vocational programs under the veil of calling it budget waste, and don’t get me started on how they indirectly impact children in a negative manner on a legislative level, such as cutting food stamps for hungry children who also get their lunches cut. The poor kids can’t even finds safety in policy from bullets or technology as school shootings and unrestricted device access runs rampant across our schools, distracting our country’s students from the real agenda, which is to get an education in a safe environment. Also, Republicans want to accuse indoctrination by the left, but let’s talk about the Trump White House doing just that by white washing educational institutions across the United States. If that’s not a forceful indoctrination of a people to believe white supremacist ideals, then I don’t know what a cult is. How can they tell a Black teacher not to accurately teach slavery as it truly happened. That’s not just a slap in the face to that teacher, but to an entire community and the Black students being taught. It’s also an injustice to every other non-Black person who needs to understand how their ancestors caused or inflicted that pain on others. And while many things shocked me in this book, the motives behind the actions did not, because it always leads to the same thing for Republicans and traitor Democrats, money. Greed is truly a poison upon this world and it’s killing our children’s futures. Randi says it best, “We could fund every school equitably and adequately tomorrow if politicians wanted to.” But they don’t. Because they don’t see economic profit in that.
Another thing that didn’t surprise me, but still shocked me nonetheless, were the various links between racism, classicism and the far right’s agenda to destroy public education. The weaponization of critical race theory (CRT) as well as the recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are tactics being used by far right extremists because they are only interested in dividing people further. It does not benefit the rich elites to have us be friendly with each other. It’s easier to control populations of people if you can blind them with rage and xenophobia. Teachers who know history and inclusion won’t bend the knee to any politician who wants to turn back the hands of time and negatively impact any child’s ability to be included and completely understood at school. Another tactic used by the far right are tax vouchers, which I also didn’t know were rooted in racism. Back when schools were going through desegregation, racist communities weren’t having it so vouchers were created to help better funnel taxpayer money to predominately white schools, some of which were private and should not be receiving tax dollars for privileged students to attend in the first place. Randi really helps us link these connections that expose systemic racism, which is exactly the conclusions far right leaders don’t want you making because then you’ll expose their corrupt and racist system, which has been operating for decades under the veil of legal morality and religious righteousness.
Another main point I agree with Randi on, and something near and dear to my heart, is the importance unions have in the future of education and the workforce of not only teachers, but all American workers. I fully believe that unions allow workers to advocate for fair wages, safe work environments, and equality for all in the workplace. Without them, big corporations are allowed to treat their employees with disregard and callousness. And I understand unions get a bad rep because people don’t want to give one more cent of their pay to union dues, which I totally get, but I’d rather my money go back to supporting myself and fellow coworkers rather than being absorbed by a bigger entity that doesn’t need it. Teachers as a workforce have one of the strongest unions in the country and that’s another reason fascists fear teachers because they know how to organize and galvanize their community for a common goal or a good cause. It’s said best in the book, “together we bargain, alone we beg.” I’d rather fight alongside my fellow coworkers than on my own. There’s alway strength in numbers.
And speaking of numbers, the more children we educate, the more successful leaders and citizens our country will have. Education can save the world. I truly believe that and I know Randi does too. But education requires someone to teach it, which is why teachers are so essential. Teachers are also universal. They’re someone all people can relate to. Everyone has had a teacher who has changed their life or really inspired them to be better than they thought was possible. That is some really powerful stuff. Teachers literally mobilize people to become the best versions of themselves and that’s what makes communities, democracies, and countries strong. I think the more we can allow children to be themselves at school, the better they’re going to learn. If they’re well fed and properly clothed, they’ll be able to focus better. If they aren’t getting murdered or texting on their phone, they have a better chance at graduating with high marks. Public education will always be a balancing game that requires push and pull depending on the student population and the times, but it must always persist because it’s the only way a true society can operate with liberty and freedom for all. Please read this book if you care about children’s education and the future of our democracy.
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