What on earth was she thinking?
Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, made an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday, where she connected the topic of education to the Nazi occupation of Europe as she promoted her new book.
During the segment, Weingarten drew attention to a paper clip she wore on her suit collar. “I have two symbols today: the American flag—no one can take my patriotism from me—and this paper clip,” she mentioned, referencing how Norwegians wore paper clips during Nazi rule. The gesture was meant to symbolize community support, particularly among children.
“We can’t let public education be destroyed,” she stated assertively. “Public education links society together, and fascists? They fear knowledge and a connected society.”
Critics quickly pounced on Weingarten’s remarks, accusing her of trivializing historical atrocities to market her book, “Why Fascists Fear Teachers.”
Corey DeAngelis, a fellow at the American Culture Project, expressed concern over her comments, questioning whether this was her idea of “lowering the temperature.” He even suggested she should resign.
Jeremy Frankel, a writer for Town Hall, called Weingarten “a completely normal and well-tuned person,” which, given the context, felt somewhat sarcastic.
Longtime political strategist Matt Whitlock remarked, “A woman who casually disrespects the Holocaust shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near children’s education.” His tone reflected a broader sentiment about Weingarten’s comments.
David Wagner, a researcher at the National Legislative Foundation, stated that those whose families suffered under the Nazis should find her words offensive. He implied that Weingarten had a history of making distasteful remarks.
Another social media user criticized Weingarten, saying, “[T]rivializing the Holocaust to promote her book is outrageous, though not surprising.” It feels like a jumping-off point for deeper discussions.
Amidst all this, Maryland GOP Senator Justin Ready questioned how anyone could take Weingarten seriously, stating that invoking the Nazis in conversation often meant escalating tensions.
In the meantime, a post from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in August 2021 spoke about how educators and students wore paper clips as symbols of unity against Nazi oppression. The history of teachers during that time was grim, as those who resisted the Nazi regime faced severe consequences, including closure of their schools and imprisonment.
