Earlier this year, the Board of Directors of the Network for Public Education Action endorsed Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President of the United States.
Our endorsement was as much a rejection of Donald J. Trump as it was an embrace of the Harris/Walz pro-public education ticket. There can be no romanticization of the Trump years. His choice of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, a zealot for private school vouchers, damaged the public’s faith and allegiance to public schools. They sought to slash federal education funding in every budget proposal. Ms. DeVos has made it clear she would be eager to return to the job to dismantle the Department of Education and public education itself.
We respect that public school advocates may or may not agree with our endorsements, and we know those who support public schools disagree on other issues.
This year, however, we must speak again, urging all, whether progressive, moderate, or conservative in political beliefs, to support the Harris/Walz ticket. The very well-being of our children is at stake.
We have all heard the vitriol directed at immigrants at rallies and even the Presidential debate. Regardless of varying positions on immigration policy, this campaign of hatred and contempt will accelerate and inevitably permeate our schools, which millions of children who come from immigrant households attend. The rhetoric of hate not only affects how children view themselves and their classmates, but it sends the message that hate speech is allowed.
We also know that Trump’s false claims that children are receiving gender transition surgery at school and that public school teachers are “grooming” students are part of a broader anti-public school campaign. But the consequences go beyond the politics of school choice. For some parents, these lies evoke anger and fear. They undermine parents’ trust in teachers and schools. They send a message to children that adults can repeatedly lie without personal consequence and that the liar can even be rewarded with the Presidency.
Some believe the lies, hate speech, and personal attacks are just a part of the campaign. We believe that the election of Donald Trump will not end hateful misinformation and personal attacks, but rather, they will become an integral part of American life. We cannot let that happen. We can return to civil discourse and disagreement.
The stakes are greater than program funding and support. Our children are watching. Our children are learning. They deserve to grow up in a country in which tolerance and respect are the norm, not the demonization of those who are culurally or racially different or who hold a differing point of view. For the sake of their emotional well-being and the development of their character, Trumpism must end. We urge you to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on November 5.
