The NJEA Irresponsibly Undermines Respect for the Law and Sends a Harmful Message to Students

More evidence that the NJEA is a thoroughly politicized – and radical – organization that is more interested in stoking political fires than educating students.

The NJEA leadership came out with a truly radical statement on the not-guilty verdict in the Rittenhouse trial.   The statement – signed by the NJEA president, vice president and secretary-treasurer – speaks of the “brokenness of our justice system.”

Further: “Today we share the anger of all those who know that our communities are less safe, because this verdict sent a harmful message that vigilante violence is a reasonable response to constitutionally protected protest.”

This is harmful cant that is contrary to the facts presented in the case, and it is an irresponsible position for a teachers’ union to take, especially on a website designed for teachers to use.

First, on the basis of mere opinion, the NJEA is delegitimizing the American justice system, thereby undermining it.  This harms the country by eroding respect for the law.  This is not a proper role for a teachers’ union.

Second, the NJEA presumes to know the facts of the case better than the jurors who sat through the entire trial, heard all the testimony, saw all the evidence and reached a UNANIMOUS verdict.   This is a breath-taking usurpation of judicial authority by the NJEA, based on opinion and political cant.

Third, the NJEA is sending a terrible message to teachers and by extension to our public schools and our students.  The NJEA’s absolutist language does not allow for a legitimate contrary opinion.  Will any teacher dare to express a different view?  Will students be presented with any counter-arguments to the NJEA’s positions?  Will classroom discussions be allowed to hear opposing views at all?

This is highly irresponsible behavior by the NJEA.  It erodes trust in our institutions, stokes division and admits of no other legitimate point of view.   Shame on the NJEA.