A Teacher's Platform by Dr. Michael Flanagan

Original art by Pamela Michaels

Monday night while watching the protests, I was posting my outrage on social media. Specifically I was discussing Trump’s fascism at St. John’s Church, his tear gassing of innocent protesters for a photo op, and his intentions to use the military against American citizens. 

A former student commented on one of my posts. It had been many years since I had heard from her. An exceptional student with an awesome family who I highly respected. 

She called me out for having supported Jill Stein in the 2016 election. She wrote that I had used my platform as a teacher to influence the former students who follow me on social media, and that basically Donald Trump was the result. That it was my white privilege to vote third party as a protest vote and it was more important to me than the lives of my students and their families. 

My first reaction was defensive. I have heard these accusations before. Clinton was a deeply flawed and divisive candidate within the Democratic Party. Regardless, the DNC rigged the primaries against Bernie. They alienated his base of supporters. Clinton was corrupted by Wall Street and had in fact elevated Trump because she and the DNC believed he was the easier candidate to beat in the general election. And he should have been! Who in their right mind would vote for a reality show racist, sexist, xenophobe who says things like--“I can shoot someone on 5th Ave and still get elected”, or he “grabs them by the p***y”? Apparently 62 million people would.

My second reaction was confusion. I was not sure what year the former student had graduated, and was wondering if she had been in my class in November of 2016. As a social studies teacher, I am in the somewhat dubious position of having to teach government, economics, current events, political campaigns, voter registration, debates and elections. It is a tough position to be in and remain objective--especially for someone politically active. Had I somehow told my students who to vote for? 

No, of course I hadn’t. I learned early on that the students have their own thoughts, and viewpoints as do their families. I work hard at presenting all sides of political issues, and let them research, discuss and make up their own minds. I teach them to question all politicians-- and question their teachers as well. But she was talking about my Facebook posts. I do not “friend” current students on social media. Ever. 

It turns out she graduated in 2011 and had already finished college by the time the 2016 election came around. But she was correct. I have a lot of former students--now adults--on social media and perhaps my political ideas carried too much weight? I do post a lot of political stuff, but then again, so does everyone. 

My final reaction was--she is right. I have to own my decisions and actions. I could not vote for Hillary in 2016. Not after watching the DNC rig the primaries against Bernie. It was not my privilege so much as it was my moral conviction. Also, I hoped that the Green Party or the Libertarian Party could win at least 5% of the popular vote in order to qualify for federal funds and help break the corrupt stranglehold of the two party system on American politics. More choices for voters might create a true democracy in this country. Unfortunately, both parties combined couldn’t even break 5% of the vote. 

I knew Trump would be a catastrophe if he somehow won, but I did not account for the bootlicking subservience of the Republican Party, or the inept weakness of the Democratic Party. I mistakenly had faith in the power of the Constitution and the integrity of other politicians. I thought if Trump did win, it would force an impeachment or a political revolution and cleanse the system of corruption. Perhaps that is happening now. 

I told the former student I was glad she had not listened to my influence, and had voted her own conscience, as I did. She voted for Clinton. To be honest, based on the fact that Stein won only 1.4% of the vote--and Clinton won NY by more than 2 million votes--it is clear that I influenced no one. I am glad she is politically active. 100 million voters did not even cast a ballot in 2016. If I influenced my students in any way I hope it was to think for themselves and vote their own beliefs. 

I respect that she called me out on my own page. It encouraged me to keep writing and post more information on social media. Although I have yet to find anyone whose mind was actually changed by reading any political posts on Facebook. It is as rare as finding a unicorn. 

So for the 2020 election we have a fascist con man in office, and another deeply flawed Democratic challenger--who is running for president a third time. A bottle of ketchup should be able to beat Trump after an impeachment, a pandemic, economic collapse and nationwide protests for racial justice, but Biden still stands a strong chance of losing. 

Therefore--although I still despise the DNC--Trump is a racist carnival fascist who needs to be removed from office. And, Ruth Bader Ginsberg can’t live forever. So I will vote for Biden and whoever his vice president will be--since that woman will ultimately become president. I will not apologize for my vote in 2016, but I do thank that former student for reminding me I need to be accountable for my opinions. Now, let’s continue to fight racism, fascism and this rigged socio-economic system.  #Democracy2020