When Becky Pringle took her first teaching job decades ago, she had no idea of the power elected officials had to influence the classroom.
“I now realize that it is my professional responsibility and my moral obligation to decide who those people are,” Pringle said.
That revelation fueled Pringle’s passion to make a difference — a passion that propelled her to become president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest union, representing 3 million educators.
Pringle was the keynote speaker at the NAACP’s Labor and Industry luncheon Friday, part of the NAACP’s 90th annual state conference, held this year at the Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.
She said the work of activists at this pivotal moment in American history is more consequential than ever.
“Labor and the civil rights movement now find ourselves in an almost unbelievable reality,” Pringle said. “Attacks on public education and educators themselves continue to increase, along with the marginalization of Black, Brown, AAPI, and Indigenous communities, the hatred toward our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, all of which continues to grow, along with the dangerous, divisive rhetoric towards (immigrants).”
Pringle said the goal of the NAACP and the National Education Association is not to tolerate a threat to public education, but to push back on the authority that shapes it and regain control.
“We must transform (public education) into something it was never intended to be: a racially, socially just and equitable system that will prepare every student to succeed in a global and interconnected world,” Pringle said. “That work impacts every family, every community and the economic strength of this country because we know that an educated citizen is a cornerstone of our society.”
The National Education Association is using its power to advocate for education professionals in power who value financial security, respect and dignity for educators, Pringle said.
She said the connection between unions like the National Education Association and the civil rights movement is a shared responsibility to ensure all students have the resources needed to thrive.
That goal is threatened by extremists waging campaigns of hate and disinformation, Pringle said.
“We will not allow them to destroy and underfund our public schools, or limit our voting rights, or erode our civil rights, or attack our unions,” Pringle said. “We will not allow them to ban books and deny our students the right to learn the complex, honest and complete history of this country.”
Pringle also addressed securing a living wage and preventing private interests from using their influence to ensure laws are interpreted in favor of the powerful.
She criticized the current Supreme Court’s actions on women’s rights and extremists’ efforts to suppress black voters.
Student debt relief was an issue championed by the NAACP, and Pringle said it was critical that activists continue the fight.
“It’s not just about winning the White House,” Pringle said. “We have to win everything.”
Pringle evoked the memory of Harriet Tubman, who urged escaped slaves to carry on as they fled to freedom.
“Those are the words I want to be in your head for the next few days,” Pringle said. “Public education, union rights, the rights of everyone must force you to continue.”
Pringle told the dozens of NAACP members in attendance that their efforts are critical to achieving their goals of a more equitable education system.
The Labor and Industry Lunchieon at the NAACP’s 90th annual state convention was held Friday at the Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
“For the students at the center of everything we do, the access and opportunity fueled by abundant resources, a joyful and equitable education system where creativity and collaboration thrive, where… our students feel fully engaged and safe,” said Pringle . “That’s the dream we all have.”
Pringle ended her speech with an impassioned plea to continue the fight.
“If you can’t find the energy or sometimes the courage to get up … I want you to keep unplugging,” Pringle said. “Because our children, our babies, depend on us being worthy of them.”
Ruby Martin, 88, the oldest member of the NAACP’s Reading Branch, listens to the program during the Labor and Industry Lunchieon at the NAACP’s 90th annual state convention, held Friday at the Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
