This has been an incredibly disturbing week, between political violence in Utah and yet another school shooting in Colorado. Amid these national events, our union has been weathering a storm closer to home.
On Tuesday, a Texas A&M University professor was fired after viral video clips – spread widely by state Rep. Brian Harrison – showed a student confronting her over (relevant) course content related to gender identity.
On Wednesday, a Texas State University professor was fired after comments he made at an outside conference, in his personal capacity, were circulated by extremist outlets and influencers.
And today, a Goose Creek CISD teacher has been doxxed by state Rep. Briscoe Cain for comments she made on her personal Facebook page on her personal time.
These are not isolated incidents, and they will not be the last. Already, Cain, Harrison, and others have begun doxxing teachers and faculty members in Texas and across the nation for using their rights to free expression to say things those elected officials do not agree with.
Let me be clear: This behavior is abhorrent. And our union will fight for and defend members with every resource we have. We have your back in defending your rights to due process, freedom of expression, and academic freedom.
That said, these are frightening and uncertain times. And we are up against a well-funded, well-resourced, and ill-intentioned outrage machine. Folks, the governor tweeted that the Texas A&M professor should be fired – without an investigation, without a chance for the faculty member to comment, and without any legal merit.
I don’t say all of this to scare you. And I don’t say it to make you think we’ll shy away from a righteous fight. I say it to encourage you to act with caution. We are in a volatile environment, with elected officials seizing this moment to juice up their fundraising and reelection campaigns.
We will have further updates in coming days. At this time, however, I recommend the following to every pre-K-12 and higher education employee:
Lock down your social media accounts: This weekend, I urge you to look at all of your online accounts. Set them to private. Limit your networks to people you know. Remove your school district and occupational information from your social media profiles.
Think twice before posting: You are an American. You have a right to free speech. But for public employees, case history on this issue is more treacherous. And it seems clear that we have a political environment where courts and politicians may exploit murky legal waters.
Call your union at the first sign of trouble: If you are a member of a local union – pre-K-12 or higher education – contact them first. If you are a member in our Associate Membership Program or otherwise an at-large member without a local union, contact Texas AFT.
I don’t like sending this message any more than you like receiving it. But it is my duty, as well as Secretary-Treasurer Longoria’s, to provide sound guidance and strong defense to our members. Thank you for what you do, and as always, I am proud to stand alongside you.
In solidarity,
Zeph Capo
President, Texas AFT
Texas American Federation of Teachers A Union of Professionals (800) 222-3827 | info@texasaft.org 912 S Hwy 183, Suite 100-A Austin, Texas 78741
