Revolution #183, November 15, 2009
The following letter is from NYC teachers on occasion of special high school/middle school issue of Revolution
Dear Teachers,
We are writing as supporters of Revolution Newspaper. We are inviting you to engage with this special issue of the newspaper (Special middle school/high school issue, #176, September 13, 2009). Many of you may be unfamiliar with this newspaper. We want to tell you why we as teachers see Revolution newspaper as trustworthy and important resource to us who are teachers just like you.
Here is what we know about ourselves and so many well intentioned teacher colleagues: We got into the field of education looking to change the world, we felt a strong desire to work with children and offer them what so few are offered. In the beginning, we were hopeful; we had our objectives clear and the future was in our hands. It did not take long, however, for us and so many other teachers to hit the glass ceiling. Standards, testing, administration, bureaucracy, the list goes on and on. Many teachers leave the profession disillusioned, burnt out, and hopeless. The reality is, teachers within this system have a very difficult job. We come into this profession wanting to ignite curiosity, teach these young people to be critical thinkers and scientists. We want to teach them how to understand the world they live in and how to change it. But, we also know that we and our students are up against so much.
Here is a quote from the recent statement "The Revolution We Need... The Leadership We Have") in Revolution Issue 170 that speaks to this:
"And, despite the good intentions of many teachers, the educational system is a bitter insult for many youth and a means of regimentation and indoctrination overall. While, particularly in some "elite" schools, there is some encouragement for students to think in 'non-conformist' ways—so long as, in the end, this still conforms to the fundamental needs and interests of the system—on the whole, instead of really enabling people to learn about the world and to pursue the truth wherever it leads, with a spirit of critical thinking and scientific curiosity, education is crafted and twisted to serve the commandments of capital, to justify and perpetuate the oppressive relations in society and the world as a whole, and to reinforce the dominating position of the already powerful. And despite the creative impulses and efforts of many, the dominant culture too is corrupted and molded to lower, not raise, people's sights, to extol and promote the ways of thinking, and of acting, that keep this system going and keep people believing that nothing better is possible."
Teachers often struggle with this idea of enabling their students to learn about the world and to pursue the truth wherever it leads and struggle with teaching for critical thinking and scientific curiosity. Look at what is happening around us: evolution and creationism are being coined as opposing scientific theories in science classrooms. Media pundits are spinning their opinions and flat out fabrications as nightly news. Where do we even go for the "truth"? How do we know what is true to teach? There are fewer and fewer places to look for critical analysis of what is going on in the world, nonetheless actual recounting of the events unfolding around us. There is a serious need for new resources with fresh and honest perspectives.
The courageous choice to use a resource like Revolution newspaper in your classroom can provide the sharp fodder for debate. It can show students another side to a story, another take to the next false arrest or bloody battle in Afghanistan.
Our students deserve teachers who teach them the truth, not the mainstream false beliefs. Let Revolution newspaper be a place for you to start or continue to challenge the status quo that our children are forced into believing or thinking. There is a way for people to understand the world, and in turn begin to change it. Far too many youth feel powerless. Far too many teachers feel powerless. Let's break that cycle: bring Revolution newspaper into your classroom as a rare resource of truth.
Some of you might be thinking, wait, Revolution??? Communism??? This must not be right?! But listen, the perspective taken in this newspaper is worth reading and deliberating. The stories covered and the fresh take on our current events will be refreshing to any reader. You don't have to be a communist to read, learn from, and wrangle with the ideas presented in this newspaper. If the truth is what we are looking for, then it is worth seeking it where you can.
Read this newspaper. Read this issue and write to us. We are looking forward to hearing what you think. We are particularly interested in how you use this newspaper in your classroom. Break the chains! Unleash the power of teachers! Unleash the power of our youth!
[Letters to authors of this letter: NYC Teachers, c/o Revolution Books, 146 W. 26th Street, New York, NY 10001.]
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