NK: We each have specific focus points. Our primary focus point was
restoring funding and it remains to be so.
DW: And how has the recent rise of social protests in America, like
the Women’s March, the March for Science, the March for Our Lives,
and so on, affected the Red For Ed movement?
NK: They are all examples of the ways in which people are standing
up and fighting back. They are all movements to create social
change, much like RedForEd. As for RedForEd, though, we’re fighting
for one thing: the children of Arizona’s access to a great
education. And we fight against anything that tries to prevent even
a single student from having the greatest possible education that
they can receive
DW: There are a number of critics who suggest that the RedForEd
movement is a communist, socialist ploy. I’ve heard ridiculous
words like “commie” and “pinko” being thrown around. How do you
explain such a McCarthyist reaction to a relatively basic call for
educational reform in Arizona? Why the vitriol?
NK: They are challenged by the grassroots power and energy, so they
launch smears and try to destroy the movement that way. Clearly,
unsuccessfully.
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DW: For years, teachers have been pegged, negatively, as having “the
best part time job ever” and asking for too much since they have
their summers off. When teachers complain of their jobs, as anyone
who works does, ultimately they are shouted down with that age-old
mantra: “you knew what you were getting yourself into.” How would
you address such statements?
NK: It’s ridiculous. Every teacher works through the summer. And
many did not in fact know that they were getting into this. 10 years
ago, their salaries and careers looked much different.
DW: A number of educators I have talked to have said that they were
frustrated that the only talking-point among the public and among
policymakers was the 20% raise. On the other hand, many teachers
work several jobs. I have three jobs total, and Shantih isn’t one of
them—it’s my labor of love, for which time is scarce. How should the
movement balance the need for a raise with the perception of
selfishness so often portrayed by politicians? How should those
demands have been balanced against the others?
NK: It is frustrating. We have continued to talk about student
spending and support staff pay, but it has been largely ignored.
The narrow focus of the policy makers is very telling.