Social Justice

Social Justice

MEA is committed to social justice for Michigan students, school employees and the public at large. Education can be a powerful force for change and MEA members, as educators, can foster that change in our communities and our schools.

As MEA’s platform states, “Every person, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or physical, mental or emotional disability, has the right to equal opportunity for education and employment and equal rights of citizenship as established in the nation and state by the constitutions, statutes and judicial decisions.”

Social Justice News

Despite book bans and smear campaigns, I count my blessings

By Debbie Carew Debbie Carew In my wildest imagination I never expected to be harassed and defamed for being an educator, especially one who defends literature and intellectual freedom. But that is what I’m facing for standing up to protect students’ access to a variety of reading and educational materials. In Brandywine Community Schools where I teach in Niles, four…

MEA President Paula Herbart’s statement on shooting death of Patrick Lyoya

EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart issued the following statement Thursday regarding the killing of Patrick Lyoya and the critical role educators play in fostering community conversations about social justice and equity: “Like so many others, I was saddened and angered to watch the horrific video of Patrick Lyoya’s senseless death. These haunting images beg questions about…

RSVP: Roundtable discussion for otherwise-abled educators

Registration is still open for two roundtable discussions MEA is hosting in May for members who identify as otherwise abled. Each of the following two events is scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m. and will include dinner: Wednesday, May 18 at the MEA office at 17500 W. 11 Mile Road, Suite 100 in Lathrup Village Thursday, May 19 at MEA headquarters, 1350…

Educator Appeals: ‘Let us Teach’

Steve Galvan wants people to understand educators are on the front-lines just as health care workers have been, “and we too are digging our claws deep into the dirt and holding our ground, because those students need us now more than ever,” he said. “Our students may not come from a two-parent home. They may have to deal with food…

Educator-to-be: ‘We need minority teachers’

MEA member Leya Woods is concerned about the lack of teachers and administrators who come from minority populations across many school districts in Michigan and the message it sends to students of color sitting in all of those classrooms. The problem is especially striking when comparing the number of support staff who are people of color working in lesser-paid roles…

Upcoming Roundtables for Educators of Color

In the coming weeks, MEA will hold a second round of Roundtable Discussions for members who identify as people of color. Similar discussions yielded strong discussions about the specific challenges and needs facing educators of color throughout Michigan. All discussions are from 6-7:30 p.m. on the following dates: · January 19 – Ann Arbor · January 26 – Bay City…

House committee to act on bill gagging curriculum on race, gender issues

The House Education Committee voted along party lines Tuesday to forward a bill to the House floor seeking to bar discussion in schools about important issues of race and gender in classrooms and limit the professional expertise of educators to help students develop important critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Sponsored by Rep. Andrew Beeler (R-Fort Gratiot), HB 5097 would bar “any…

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