The Colorado Education Association (CEA) recently passed a resolution asserting that capitalism “inherently exploits children, public schools, land, labor, and resources.” The resolution’s final draft states that capitalism opposes addressing systemic racism, climate change, patriarchy, education inequality, and income inequality. The CEA is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), which has also demonstrated far-left tendencies.
A leaked screenshot of an earlier draft of the resolution revealed a more radical stance, calling for the dismantling of capitalism and its replacement with a “new, equitable economic system.” The CEA’s director of communications, Lauren Stephenson, acknowledged the legitimacy of the leaked image and confirmed that the resolution was passed in secret due to concerns about process and privacy.
Reason #48273751 to homeschool Colorado!
Colorado teachers union passes resolution declaring capitalism 'inherently exploits children, public schools' https://t.co/ass23sllJJ
— Kristi (@TheyCallMeNans) May 4, 2023
History professor Bryan Lindstrom, who introduced the resolution, celebrated the decision on Twitter, noting that CEA members can now “publicly advocate and lobby for anti-capitalist policies at the CO Capitol.”
The CEA’s resolution follows a trend of teachers’ unions adopting far-left ideologies. Becky Pringle, the president of the NEA, declared that racial justice, social justice, and climate justice must become pillars of the NEA’s mission. Pringle emphasized the interconnected nature of these issues, stating that education cannot be considered an isolated system because everything connects to students’ ability to learn.
While these teachers’ unions focus on pushing their political agendas, American students and schools continue to struggle after the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent national test scores revealed sharp declines in math and reading levels, with math scores experiencing their most significant drops ever and reading scores reaching their lowest point since 1992.
Joe Biden’s Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressed his dissatisfaction with these results, calling them “not acceptable” and urging schools to use the billions of dollars allocated by Congress to help students recover from the pandemic.
Many worry about the potential long-term consequences as these institutions prioritize political activism over students’ educational needs. As a result, the Western education system, which generations of scholars from diverse backgrounds have shaped, may be at risk of degradation and eventual collapse under the influence of far-left ideologies. This could lead to an unqualified, irresponsible, and corrupt generation of professionals assuming leadership positions in all areas of life, potentially undermining the foundations of America and Western civilization.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” It appears that teachers’ unions like the CEA and NEA are weaponizing education to advance their agendas at the expense of students’ academic success and the well-being of the American experiment in self-government.
