Summertime means the annual National Education Association Convention. The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest professional organization and labor union in the U.S. and its influence on education reaches around the world. Their power and influence extends from the walls of the school room to legislative halls as they promote and finance various candidates and initiatives and work to assure their ideology is entrenched in culture. But what many people may not know, including teachers and parents, is that the NEA is not a friend of the family.
In addition to such groups as the “Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender” Caucus and the silly “No Cocktail Left Behind” Caucus, this year saw the recognition of the “NEA Drag Queen” Caucus. In fairness to the NEA, they also recognize such groups as the Ex-gay Educators, People of Faith, and Catholic and Jewish Caucuses, but the nonsensically-tolerant and politically-correct NEA has an agenda that ought to concern all people who want their schools teaching education basics and not promoting anti-family propaganda to our children.
United Families International has written about the NEA in the past but we thought we’d provide you with an update and a few examples of NEA activity.
Abortion
This year’s convention in New Orleans once again saw the defeat of an abortion neutrality resolution. However, each year since 1990 this resolution has been reaffirmed:
“The NEA supports family planning, including the right to reproductive freedom…. The NEA will oppose any legislation which will erode the status of Roe v. Wade…”
The NEA has over 3.2 million members in the U.S. and hardly any of them know that the union that they pay annual dues to is one of the most ardent abortion supporters in the country and that their dues may be helping finance pro-abortion efforts around the world.
Homosexual Advocacy
The NEA is squarely in the back pocket of gay advocates. The Wall Street Journal reported (2006) that the NEA gave $65 million to liberal groups such as the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Human Rights Campaign, and People for the American Way. They oppose the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and in 2009, a resolution was passed to oppose any efforts to put in place amendments banning same-sex unions or marriage:
“NEA will support its affiliates in opposing state constitutional and/or statutory provisions that could have the effect of prohibiting the state and its political subdivisions from providing the same rights and benefits to same-sex couples as are provided to similarly situated heterosexual couples…”
Millions of NEA dollars have been spent on such creating and promoting publications such as:
- “Understanding Gay and Lesbian Students through Diversity”
- “Just the Facts” (A 24-page booklet created by the NEA and the American Psychological Association. In 2008, the booklet was sent to 16,000 school districts and it tells students that homosexuality is a “normal expression of human sexuality.”)
- “Focus on Gays, Lesbian, Bisexuals and Transgendered Persons”
- “A Report on GLBT People in Education: Stepping out of the Closet, Into the Light”
The bulk of these informational pieces are part of a well-orchestrated attempt to provide a platform on which to mainstream homosexual behavior in the schools. One goal is to mandate anti-bullying” and “anti-discrimination” policies that will provide special protection to homosexual-related categories such as “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression.” UFI believes that schools should provide protection against harassment and bullying to every child, for any reason, equally. To see a list studies and talking points that give rebuttal to the NEA’s “Just the Facts” booklet go here.
Parental Rights
The NEA, in spite of their rhetoric, is not a friend to parents. It appears that the NEA, not parents, “know best.” The NEA is in league with groups such as Planned Parenthood and SEICUS to promote what they call “Comprehensive Sex Education” in the schools. The NEA recommends that parents not be allowed to “opt out” their children when comprehensive sex education and “diversity” curriculum is being taught. They oppose laws that require parental notification for abortion or contraception distribution. NEA supports the abolishment of “heterosexism” (the belief that heterosexual behavior is superior to homosexual behavior) in the schools and that curriculum that promotes “anti-discrimination and equality for all members of the GLBTQ community” should supersede any wishes that parents might have regarding the teaching of their children.
Conclusion
Our school districts are populated with amazing and hardworking teachers. Please know that we are not castigating educators individually, but the union to which many are required to belong and pay dues. The NEA is powerful and wields great influence over schools, the legislative and public policy environment, and the culture at large. Teachers need to consider how their dues are being spent and work to change the leadership of their union. Please be aware and get involved.
Parents, please be actively involved in your schools. If you hold conservative and traditional family values, social or economic, be assured that the NEA doesn’t share them and they are aggressively engaged in promulgating their values at the expense of your children. Don’t under estimate the power that you have as a parent and constituent of a school district and don’t feel like you’re alone–most parents share your values and concerns. Get involved and make the next school year a family-friendly one!