Ei-iE

As I travelled extensively over the last two years to places where the violent and despicable policies and actions of the Trump administration were most destructive, I struggled to convince those under attack (and those watching in horror) that there existed within the same country that elected him to a second term a brave, principled and focused, movement that was organizing to break free of his politics of fear, disinformation and division.

Whether we were bringing solidarity and support to the teachers of Palestine, Greenland, Ukraine, Iran, Colombia, Argentina or Myanmar the feeling that I might be wrong about my country consumed me. In Canada, I particularly identified with the ‘elbows up’ response and refusal to buy from or visit the United States. And, at times I worried that Americans did not truly comprehend the depth of the destruction and suffering that the US government was inflicting on the world as it shredded universal human rights, embraced despots, and abandoned our core principles at a maddeningly accelerating pace.

And then, just as I felt myself lurching towards despair, I went to the summer conventions of Education International’s US member organizations, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. It was there at both conventions that I was reminded of what we are capable of together. For as I waited in line to enter the halls one day I found myself surrounded by my favorite people, teacher union members.

In front of me a group of cheery African American women welcomed a group of equally ebullient Hispanic men, a few young teachers of Asian origin and some elder Caucasian colleagues to join them in the space they were holding for them in line. “Sorry sweetie, you don’t mind do you?” they said as they turned to me with a wink and a smile.

It was then that I noticed something unique about that group, something that simply does not exist everywhere, for although they were about as diverse as a group as one could find anywhere outside the United Nations, they were all wearing the same union t-shirts from their local. They were bound together by their teacher union identity and family. They had pins on their shirts saying “All are welcome here!” and “Abolish ICE” and “Yes we can!”

I don’t precisely know the moment that the tears started flowing but one of them saw me and asked if I was alright. “Never better,” I responded.

Now perhaps I shouldn’t have needed to be reminded that the power of union solidarity undergirds the resolve and purpose of our movement and profession. But it took me back to my own experience in public school where my belief in the transformative power of public education and what it means for each individual child, their families and the communities we serve was forged. The experience also reinforced for me that we are at our best when we set aside our differences and unite in the fight for the world we know is possible.

In these midterms election yesterday, thanks to the work and organizing of teacher unionists across the country what was once seemingly impossible has resulted in a series of firsts:

The first Black woman governor. The first Native woman governor. The first Native woman senator. The first Muslim senator. The first openly gay male senator. The first Latina governor of Texas.

The lesson in this for all of us is that even in the darkest moments we do what we do best. We dig deeper. We reach higher. And we recommit ourselves to the focus and discipline necessary to build the collective power inherent in teacher unionism to achieve our goals. We never lose hope because TOGETHER WE CAN.