Defense of Democracy Podcast
Friends. Allies. Americans. Folks taking small steps towards big change. The Defense of Democracy podcast tells their stories. Hosted by Karen Svoboda.
Defense of Democracy is made up of people from all walks of life passionately committed to nonpartisanship. We welcome anyone who is interested in protecting their fellow Americans - in particular those in marginalized communities - from oppression.
We advocate for legislators, educators, and administrators who will work to maintain communities as well as a public education system that supports and enhances our shared experiences regardless of religious beliefs, cultural background, or sexual orientation.
Find out more: https://defenseofdemocracy.org/
Podcast produced by the Volunteers of Defense of Democracy
Defense of Democracy Podcast
Silenced Teachers, Stifled Classrooms: The Toll of Educational Censorship
In this episode Karen speaks with Matt Hawn, a former teacher, and Rebecca Modrak, a professor, about the troubling trend of censorship in education. They discuss the personal stories of teachers facing harassment and dismissal for teaching controversial topics, the chilling effect this has on educators, and the broader implications for democracy and education. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting teachers and advocating for their rights, as well as the need for parents and community members to engage in the fight against censorship.
Conversation Highlights:
- Teachers are being silenced for teaching critical topics.
- Censorship creates a chilling effect on educators' speech.
- Personal stories reveal the emotional toll of censorship.
- Support systems for teachers are crucial during these times.
- Parents should advocate for their children's education.
- Legislation is impacting what teachers can teach.
- Community support can empower educators facing challenges.
- The importance of diverse viewpoints in education.
- Teachers are leaving the profession due to fear and harassment.
- Engagement in school board meetings is essential for change.
Resources from the conversation:
https://disobediencepress.com/trouble-in-censorville/
https://gofund.me/e5a25751
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/12/06/tennessee-teacher-fired-critical-race-theory/
https://censorville.com/
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