in March, they celebrated a groundbreaking provision in their new contract that was meant to shield teachers of color from seniority-based layoffs and help ensure that students from racial minorities have teachers who look like them.
Recent coverage in conservative platforms such as the local news website Alpha News, Fox News nationally and the Daily Mail internationally sparked criticisms from prominent figures, including Donald Trump Jr. and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who curbed the power of public employee unions in his state. Walker on Twitter called it “another example of why government unions should be eliminated.
Minneapolis is one of many districts across the U.S. struggling with declining teacher headcounts and tight budgets. But Callahan disputed that the provision threatens anyone’s job, noting that Minneapolis has nearly 300 unfilled positions as teachers and students prepare to go back to school, and the language won’t take effect until the 2023 academic year.
West said she feels strongly that students of color benefit from having teachers that look like them, but said she’s also seen that diversity can be empowering for white students. She said she’s sometimes been the first educator of color that Black or white students have had. He argued that a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court decision known as the Wygant case bars such provisions and would serve as a precedent in Minnesota.
Officials with other national public employee unions and professional associations either said they didn’t know of anything similar in their fields or did not respond to requests for comment.
You don't have to be a 'conservative media outlet' to realize the policy is racist.
Fellow Dems, it is a racist policy. Don’t feed the Republican haters by lying and telling them it isn’t. If you are making decisions based on a person’s race, then you’re a racist.
Broadly speaking I think that unions should protect seniority over anything else, but I get that recruiting and retaining POC teachers is a priority.
'Conservatives say' ... Can you please explain how a law that directly references race, in context of a decision of employment, is not racist? You are literally punishing someone for their race. That is racism.
Fire white teachers first Racist much?
White people feeling discriminated against just craps me up. They had hundreds of years of a head start. They have no idea what the word even means.
As long as teachers of color are hired last would this be fair. Sounds kinda racist, huh?
nbc suggesting it isn't racist. lol clown world.
FoxNews ABC CBS NBC is always formulating reporting inciting racist division one direction then another. Why consider race for anything? Cant we all just be created equal? Earn opportunity based on work vs race or color. Media constantly damaging race opinions.
Fire/Layoff the white Teachers No matter their seniority BUT we can see the LYING Headline trying their best to RACE BAIT. It is RACISM. The demNAZIS have Pushed HATE/DIVISION They have Brought back SEGRIGATION. The demKKK Have Returned to the 1900'S
If course, racist policies should always be attacked and defeated
It is racist. End of story. Full stop.
The problem here is if it really is just conservatives saying this.
You can’t fix racism by using racism.💁🏼♂️