Teachers in Oakland, Calif., are planning a teach-in to discuss Hamas’s war against Israel from a Palestinian perspective.
Students in kindergarten through high school will be instructed on Wednesday by teachers who “hold true that we are living in a world where the forces of imperialism and capitalism shape the decisions of global leaders and enact oppressive conditions upon various ethnic groups and often turn oppressed groups against each other,” Oakland Education Association teachers said in an “Educational Resources on Palestine” document.
“The liberation of the Palestinian people is a complex topic, just as all history is complex, and we encourage educators to educate themselves before teaching these materials in the classroom,” teachers wrote in the document. “Oakland educators have worked to find resources, by reputable organizations or individuals, that are relevant to the current events in Gaza and highlight perspectives on Palestinian resistance and liberation not found in resources provided by [Oakland Unified School District].”
Resources include an animated introduction to the “Israeli-Palestinian conflict” that describes how Israel has punished Palestinians with arrests, assassinations, and raids — “all to gain maximum land, while making life so difficult for Palestinians that they will either leave or be too afraid to resist.” The video was produced by the progressive anti-Zionist organization Jewish Voice for Peace.
Another resource teachers list is a YouTube video entitled, “Why is Israel called an ‘apartheid’ state“? According to the video, Israel’s “systematic oppression by one racial group over another” qualifies it as an apartheid state. The video also calls the Gaza Strip the “largest open-air prison on earth.”
Further documents explain why teachers should use the word “genocide” to “describe the situation in Gaza” and why teachers “are not taking a position on Hamas” but are “taking a position against the genocidal siege of Gaza.” Oakland educators clarify in the document why they should have a position on the Israel-Hamas war.
“As Oakland educators, we are subject to drastic underfunding at the state level as well as the forces of privatization and mismanagement at the OUSD level,” teachers wrote. “In 2023, California sent over 600 million dollars in military aid to Israel. That money could have funded more teacher positions, provided more social services to families. We had to go on strike just last spring to fight for the resources and pay that we need in order to teach in Oakland, and the district dragged its feet. We are currently living in a country that does not prioritize its workers, but rather prioritizes military operations overseas. Taking a stand in solidarity with Palestine means many things, but in relation to labor it means that workers are engaging with the wealth we produce for this country, and where it goes.”
Educators provided teach-in resources for younger students, as well. For example, the alphabet book, “P is for Palestine,” explains, “I is for Intifada, Intifada is Arabic for rising up for what is right if you are a kid or a grownup!” Intifada references Palestinian uprisings against the Jewish state.
The document also lists a variety of social-emotional support for students and educators, including an opinion piece written by activist Nora Lester Murad that explains why “uplifting Palestinian American students makes everyone safer.” In the op-ed, Murad says that “false accusations of antisemitism make Arabs and Muslims targets, threatening their children’s safety, both inside and outside of schools.” Antisemitic school incidents surged in K-12 schools and on college campuses in 2022, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell clarified to parents on Monday that the teach-in is unsanctioned.
“I want to make clear that the District does not authorize this action,” Johnson-Trammel said. “Furthermore, I want to make clear that the instructional materials developed and shared by the teach-in organizers are not aligned with the materials and guidance previously provided by our Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Sondra Aguilera. Our schools are sanctuaries for learning, and I am deeply disappointed by the harmful and divisive materials being circulated and promoted as factual.”
Videos of a contentious Oakland city council meeting went viral this month when community members sanitized the terrorist organization Hamas by labeling it an “armed resistance.”
“Calling Hamas a terrorist organization is ridiculous, racist and plays into genocidal propaganda,” one individual said.