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Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy
Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute's David Dubinsky Labor Lecture
Roosevelt House is pleased to present the David Dubinsky Labor Lecture at Roosevelt House, named in memory of the legendary American labor leader (1892-1982) who served for decades as president of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU)—and was a major political force from the New Deal era to the New Frontier. Roosevelt House is grateful to the Dubinsky Family, which has generously sponsored this series on David Dubinsky’s legacy—and the future of the labor movement in the U.S.
Please join us and the Hunter College School of Education for a discussion featuring the President of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, on her new book Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy. A rousing “manifesto for our time,” Why Fascists Fear Teachers delivers a powerful defense of public education as the cornerstone of American democracy. The author will be in conversation with the Klara and Larry Silverstein Dean of the Hunter College School of Education Julie Gorlewski.
From the head of one of the country’s largest teachers’ unions, Why Fascists Fear Teachers draws on Weingarten’s decades of experience defending teachers against “attacks” that she views as part of an ongoing agenda to undermine democracy, opportunity, and public education. As the federal government advances a plan to dismantle the Board of Education, Weingarten urges teachers to continue focusing on their vital mission to help young people thrive by creating opportunity in safe and welcoming classrooms, and equipping students with the tools to push back against would-be dictators—such as problem solving, healthy debate, and critical thinking.
Cautioning against censorship and complacency, Weingarten also looks to the past to warn readers about what can happen if society devalues its teachers and public schools. Throughout history, Weingarten writes, dictators who have risen to power have sought to ban books and exert control over school curriculums. The reason fascists fear teachers, she asserts, is because teachers create an educated and empowered population able to see past propaganda and scare tactics—and because they teach young people to think for themselves.
Why Fascists Fear Teachers seeks to tell the true story of the invaluable service provided by teachers to society—and explains why Americans should care about “attacks” on schools and teachers, whether they are parents of school-aged children or not.
This lecture has been made possible by a gift from the Jean Dubinsky Appleton Estate.
Featuring:
Randi Weingarten has served since 2008 as the elected president of the American Federation of Teachers, a union of 1.8 million educators, health care professionals, and public-service workers. For ten years prior, she headed the United Federation of Teachers, the union representing educators in New York City’s public schools, and before that taught social studies at Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn. She has degrees from the Cardozo School of Law and the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations. This is Weingarten’s 4th appearance at Roosevelt House; most recently, she spoke at a February conference on collective bargaining.
Julie Gorlewski has served since the summer of 2024 as the Klara and Larry Silverstein Dean of the Hunter College School of Education. Previously, she was a professor in the department of Learning and Instruction, and the senior associate dean for teacher education and academic affairs in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Buffalo. With teaching experience that spans pre-k through graduate school, Gorlewski has also served as editor of English Journal, the flagship publication of the National Council of Teachers of English, and is co-chair of the New York State Professional Standards & Practices Board for Teaching.
This event will be held both in person at Roosevelt House and online via Zoom. Please RSVP to attend.
