You Are Dangerous

You are dangerous.

The one thing I like to remember from my troubled middle school years is the Busta Rhymes' album, When Disaster Strikes. I remember how the intensity of the album cover matched the raw beats and strained voice of Busta:

“Afraid of us, you know this ain’t no game to us
You strange to us, that’s when we getting’ dangerous”

I feel that word now as I write it because I am dangerous. We are dangerous. Teachers are a danger to fascism. That is why we and public schools in general are under attack on the national stage, and that is why the Ohio State Legislature manifests so much hostility to public school teachers and has worked to defund public schools. We are dangerous because we foster human connection and critical thinking. We help our students dream and become. We are there for students and families during difficult times. We are dangerous because we love. 

In Randi Weingarten’s book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, she tells the story of resistance in Norway during the Nazi occupation. Government officials collaborating with the Nazis tried to make educators teach a fascist-friendly curriculum. Students and teachers weren’t having it. In place of badges with the image of or reference to their exiled king that were banned, teachers wore paper clips on their lapels to signify solidarity and resistance, which eventually spread to students as well. This proved so effective–and dangerous–to the fascist occupation that “Nazis barged into the schools and beat teachers and students, trying to physically force them into submission.” Then the Nazis closed the schools altogether. And, of course, the teachers found ways to keep learning alive.
​
Teaching students to think for themselves and value each other is the great danger we pose to power and control. I want us to remember that when the world seems so heavy and bleak, we are especially targeted for disparagement and outright attacks because we have power. We are dangerous because resistance grows out of connection and understanding, two things fascism cannot stand. Authoritarianism feeds on disconnection and disinformation. Teachers provide the antidote of community and shared understanding. 

I hope you remember the power you have. That you’re dangerous.