Liam redux

Fascists teachers get green light

Alf Filer strongly disagrees with a government proposal not to ban fascists from teaching. So here we have it, total hypocrisy and a failure to protect our children’s’ right to a safe and racist free education. Following last year’s leak of BNP membership which identified 15 BNP members as teachers, what did this Government do?…

Liam
2–3 minutes

Alf Filer strongly disagrees with a government proposal not to ban fascists from teaching.

So here we have it, total hypocrisy and a failure to protect our children’s’ right to a safe and racist free education. Following last year’s leak of BNP membership which identified 15 BNP members as teachers, what did this Government do? They commissioned a report and have just announced that they accept its findings. The outcome being that they will have a further review every year!

Mr Smith,a former chief inspector of schools said a ban would be “taking a very large sledgehammer to crack a minuscule nut”. Well Mr Smith, tell that to the victims of racist and fascist attacks. It was just such an attitude which led to turning of a blind eye to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis in the 30’s.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls welcomed the report, saying the case for a ban would be kept “under active consideration and reviewed on an annual basis”. In the meantime, the EDL , led by BNP members are planning to rampage through our streets attacking innocent people just because of their colour, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

Inclusivity, equal opportunities, multi-racial and multi-religious education are all key to teaching and education policies today, and so they should be. Yet they are under attack as cuts are biting into education. There are those with elitist, racist and sexist agendas who would like to see the end of progressive policies in Education.

Ed Balls may think that fascists in the classroom is ok as long as it is not his children being taught by them but this is just the thin end of the wedge to divide us. If BNP members are barred from the police and prison service then why not from all our public services. The education system especially, more than any other service. What type of history, economics, sociology, R.E. etc can be taught by fascists which does not result in discrimination?

No Mr Smith and Mr Balls, it does matter. It is serious. It can not be left to an annual report. It is such an approach which is responsible for allowing the fascists to gain an electoral foothold in the first place. It is also the reason why the BNP have 2 Euro seats and councilors. It is also why the EDL are rampaging through the streets of Britain.

The anti-fascist movement will not leave it to an annual review. We will be in Bolton, Barking and anywhere else needed, through mass mobilisations, to show that we will not rely on New Labour to make this country fascist free. Now it is up to the teachers unions, college lecturers, parents and students to make it clear that there is no room for fascists in any of our classes.

30 responses to “Fascists teachers get green light”

  1. Liam Avatar
    Liam

    I’m not sure I agree with Alf on this.

    The post war German experience of keeping people out of jobs becuase of their political affilitation showed how quickly it was used against the left. If anyone should be making a workplace uninhabitable for fascists it should be the unions.

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  2. alf Avatar
    alf

    Yes Liam I agree with you generally. However should fascists be recruited in the first place if known. Yes unions must act. My point was the way New Labour will simply leave it to a review. Ofcourse the unions should mobilise in the workplace and I do not support bans as such normally, which rely on the State.

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  3. BNP teachers: it’s right not to ban them : David Osler

    […] the decision has upset some on the left, who argue that the profession should be added to the list of jobs covered by what amounts to a […]

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  4. Jay Avatar
    Jay

    I think though Alf that your post does come across as arguing for a state ban, even if that wasn’t your intention. Liam’s point about Germany is an important one. With this government’s obsession with stamping out “extremism” (a.k.a. anyone who doesn’t support British foreign/war policy) arguing for a BNP ban could badly backfire on the left, Muslims etc. You conclude that “Now it is up to the teachers unions, college lecturers, parents and students to make it clear that there is no room for fascists in any of our classes”. I think it always going to be down to grass roots resistance by these groups, and that maybe it’s better left that way?

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  5. Bill Corr Avatar
    Bill Corr

    OFFENSIVE TRIPE DELETED

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  6. alf Avatar
    alf

    Yes in my rush to print and disgust at the comment of just another review i agree on the dangers of a ban and agree the ban is something for unions. The government should ensure who ever is employed that anti-racist policies are strengthened not weakened.

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  7. friendlylefty Avatar
    friendlylefty

    Alf, are you now disagreeing with your article? I think it is correct to demand that the state protect children in its care – i.e. in school – from fascists and fascist influence. Yes, unions have a role to play, but by not banning teachers the state has hardly declared itself neutral – it has instead found that it is OK for fascists to teach in state schools.

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  8. alf Avatar
    alf

    Well i am taking on board our general opposition and concerns about state bans but also the need to protect students from direct fascist educators. this is a dilema and obviously a matter for the unions to discuss.
    As i said, the government response in itself was in my view unacceptable and needed to be challenged as it seemed to let fascists off the hook

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  9. RobM Avatar
    RobM

    This last point of Alf’s is fair enough. After all, there are certain occupations where fascists are banned already- police etc.- so there is a precedent against which this particular decision regarding teachers needs to be viewed.

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  10. Radical Muslim :: BNP – Still Officially Racist :: March :: 2010

    […] that the government is not opposed to teachers being part of this officially racist group. A very worrying decision indeed, one only has to consider examples of arguements for and against this decision to know that […]

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  11. On the banning of fascist teachers « Harpymarx Avatar
    On the banning of fascist teachers « Harpymarx

    […] this correct? I really  think state bans are very problematic. I agree with the sentiments from Liam regarding this question, The post war German experience of keeping people out of jobs becuase of their political […]

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  12. alf Avatar
    alf

    I too oppose the call for the use of state bans in fighting fascism and argued that it was wrong for Livingstone and others to call for such bans, instead along with most of us I am arguing for mass action on the streets by unions etc.

    Regarding fascists in school, again the unions, parents and students must be mobilised to campaign against the fascists.

    In respect to the issue I raised, if a known fascist applies for such a job or is identified in a post then clearly they must be exposed but then what?

    Do we argue that their actions are in breach of employment and be sacked? Do we refuse co-operation until they resign? Ofcourse we have mass action, meetings, campaigns to oppose them. Yes it depends on conditions at local level but we need to be clear as this situation can exist and does.

    My original comments was a rejection of the State line that we simply have a review and do nothing, hoping the problem will go away.

    Obviously we must first win the arguement at local level with the local unions, parents , students and community groups as part of local anti-fascist campaigns.

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  13. modernityblog Avatar
    modernityblog

    I do wish that the one-time revolutionaries here wouldn’t become consumed with bourgeois liberal thinking.

    There is a real possibility of a sizeable neo-fascist party in three to five years in Britain.

    There is a completely fragmented Left.

    So sensibly, almost any measure, a political measure, which impedes the growth of neofascism in Britain is probably a good idea.

    And the political argument for this must be taken head-on, to make the point simply that neofascism is beyond the pale.

    That it is one political view that led to 60+ million people dying.

    That it is one political view which has no redeeming features, none whatsoever.

    That it is one political view where once they have power they would use it against all and any of their opponents (that means the Left, etc).

    So there can be no compromise, no half measures, it must be complete opposition to neofascism and the stigmatising of the membership of the BNP.

    We shouldn’t forget the lessons of yesteryear.

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  14. Bill Corr Avatar
    Bill Corr

    Well, the moment one admits the principle that people should be forbidden to teach because of, say, BNP membership, what comes next?

    DELETED

    How about being opposed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – and Stop the War and the BNP have this in common – or being opposed to EU membership?

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  15. alf Avatar
    alf

    Modernityblog I am not as pessimistic as you, nor liberal. Nor is anyone else here. Nor are we underestimating the seriousness of the issue and the threats that the situation presents.

    The discussion is the issue of bans. The bans are used against the Left far more than the Far Right , as history shows us. The way we combat fascist and racist ideas and organisations can not be left to the State, also as history has unfortunately proven in the past.

    The problem is how do we deal with fascist teachers. Yes there is no room in schools or society for fascist activity, nor should there be. Institutions however will reflect the people who work in them and the role they play in society and the economy.

    We must ensure that we are able to mobilise the school community in its widest sense to isolate and prevent fascist and racist activity.

    We must also make sure the curriculum is constructed in such a way that the totality of activity throughout the schools is anti-racist and anti-fascist, as well as anti-sexist/anti-homophobic.

    Whilst openly fascist teachers will rarely admit, for recruitment purposes, they are fascist, clearly we do not want a state witch hunt registration system which can easily be turned around and used against union members who are anti-fascist.

    The communities in education must campaign for schools and colleges to develop a strong anti-racist/ anti-sexist culture so that such teachers will be isolated from working and spreading their filth in the first place.

    My original comments were more in annoyance of what appears to be a do nothing approach by the Government, calling for a review. Yes I did initially suggest a ban and have reviewed it in light of discussions here and elsewhere. However the unions have to be, as they are, pro-active in campaigning against racism , sexism,homophobia and fascism, linking in strongly on a local level with anti fascist and anti racist groups. This is what many teachers associations and UCU branches are doing.

    The real recruitment ground for racist and fascist ideas are on the streets, in the workplace and in the communities. That is the real challenge.

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  16. modernityblog Avatar
    modernityblog

    ” The bans are used against the Left far more than the Far Right , as history shows us. “

    Self-evidently, but that’s why you have to change the frame of reference for the argument, rather than allow people to use the word “extremist”, you make sure that the debate relates specifically to fascism and neofascism, and not some apolitical notion of nastiness.

    It is a debate that needs an infusion of political content, from the early days of the “no platform fascists” there was always the possibility that it would come down to this:

    should we support the delegitimisation of neofascism, even if that affects us?”

    My view, given the severity of the potential solidification of neofascism in British culture, is clearly yes.

    I suspect that the threat to the Left is overexaggerated, and enemies of the Left don’t need these powers anyway as we’ve seen recently, but they might help put a break on British neofascism.

    So I think we need to look at the bigger picture, a wider aim.

    “We must ensure that we are able to mobilise the school community in its widest sense to isolate and prevent fascist and racist activity.”

    I agree completely with your sentiments, but the problem is once should allow the BNP to become normalised, as part of the political furniture and then what you’re suggesting becomes next possible, because their views are then taken as 1) legitimate 2) just another political form of expression and therefore not significant 3) etc etc

    The key point is to stop the normalisation

    That means stigmatising BNP membership, whilst I’m not a great fan of state bans if it succeeds in any way in delaying the growth of the BNP then that might be a price worth paying.

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  17. alf Avatar
    alf

    The most effective way of deligitimising the BNP is to win the political arguements and not rely on state bans to do the job for us. Unfortunately some political forces call for State bans as a substitute for mobilising against fascism. For this we must provide credible alternative policies and build credible forces which unites working people. Otherwise deligitimisation on its own is abstract and relies on rules and regulations.

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  18. modernityblog Avatar
    modernityblog

    “The most effective way of deligitimising the BNP is to win the political arguements and not rely on state bans to do the job for us.”

    I would completely agree, but there is a problem here, the British Left are very small, divided, etc and the BNP are getting bigger and bigger.

    So whilst it is a political truism that would be the best way of doing it, it may not be possible, in reality.

    And we just need to think about what could happen suppose there might be a BNP MP, a few more MEPs, dozens of councillors, the EDL roaming the streets and the BNP being given free air time by the liberal establishment, then that would be a dire circumstance to have.

    I would hope that wouldn’t occur, but as we know from history our own hubris often is an aid to the fascists.

    So when and if, the BNP grow significantly then the least of the Left’s problems will be some suppose ban which could be used against them.

    More likely we will be attacked in the street, more likely unions will be smashed up and worrying about legalises will be the least of our problems.

    Keeping the BNP and neofascism delegitimised is the political way to handle them.

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  19. alf Avatar
    alf

    ” Keeping the BNP and neofascism delegitimised is the political way to handle them” sounds good. Mass action to oppose them based on a united front is the only way.

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  20. Bill Corr Avatar
    Bill Corr

    OFFENSIVE TRIPE DELETED – LIAM

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  21. modernityblog Avatar
    modernityblog

    alf,

    We aren’t really disagreeing on the basics, but the paltry state of the British Left means that that mass action might not occur, or even if it does occur it might not be enough.

    Thus, you will have a sizeable and increasing BNP which is much worse than our natural objections to state bans.

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  22. alf Avatar
    alf

    Bill Corr what point are you making or have i misread this as someone on the wrong blog

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  23. modernityblog Avatar
    modernityblog

    Bill Corr is a weird bigot and xenophobe, best ignored if not deleted.

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  24. Liam Avatar
    Liam

    Bill Corr has joined the select list of people whose comments are subject to moderation before being released. Though really I think it’s best if he finds another forum for his opinions. The Daily Mail’s site might be more to his taste.

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  25. alf Avatar
    alf

    The UAF have issued a petition calling for the ban on fascists at schools. Whilst we would agree with the sentiments, is it the best way of building an anti-fascist movement?

    Yes link parents, students, teachers and the wider education community into the local campaigns against the BNP/EDL and hold meetings and other activities against fascists.

    Calling for a ban can be both dangerous and limiting. Given only a few would admit to such membership. Much better to ensure schools reflect the real needs of working class communities in terms of anti-racism, anti-sexism, gay rights etc and promote a positive approach on these issues.

    I can see some governing bodies banning left wing anti-cuts activists on the grounds that they are “political” teachers.We already see Sussex Uni etc suspending student activists.

    Initially my response was for such a ban and now I am convinced it is not the way forward.

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  26. modernityblog Avatar
    modernityblog

    “Calling for a ban can be both dangerous and limiting. Given only a few would admit to such membership. Much better to ensure schools reflect the real needs of working class communities in terms of anti-racism, anti-sexism, gay rights etc and promote a positive approach on these issues.”

    Alf, the problem is that your counterposing things and suggesting one is wrong because you’re not doing the other.

    Please, alf, look at it another way, this is a golden opportunity antifascists to explain why the BNP are not like any other party, to explain what is neofascism and to explain why it shouldn’t be legitimised.

    If you oppose it merely because it affects the Left then effectively what you’re saying use that the Left is equivalent to the BNP (which you went I know is wrong) also your saying that even if something could impede the BNP, because it will affect us we won’t agree to it, which strikes me as a little bit selfish given that the stakes of so high.

    This is an opportunity thus to distance ourselves and explain why precisely the BNP and only the BNP should be banned etc etc

    We should welcome this and use it to attack the neofascists.

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  27. alf Avatar
    alf

    http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/827/42565

    On Feb 13th the anti fascist movement prevented Nazis from marching in Dresden.

    The Lower Saxony state government is also preparing laws to ban protests that are deemed “inflammatory”. While supposedly aimed at preventing future Nazi parades, the wording of the new laws is broad enough to include left-wing and even union protests in its scope.

    In the run up to the Dresden demo, the anti fascist movement had its offices raided and leaflets taken away by the police.

    Bans did not stop the fascists, people, thousands of people, mobilised stopped the fascists. The State may use bans when it is conveniant to protect the State but not the people.

    Similarly bans on minarets in Switzerland, bans on the veil in France or bans on religious institutions under Stalin did not stop ideas.

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  28. alf Avatar
    alf

    We should be campaigning against the fascists yes, mobilising against fascists yes and building such campaigns. Calls for bans do not help in my view.

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  29. fiannanahalba Avatar
    fiannanahalba

    Never ask the state to do what we should be aiming to do ourselves, namely build a mighty socialist working class movement that can politically and militarily obliterate the BNP and all the other fascist scum.

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  30. modernityblog Avatar
    modernityblog

    What a marvellous idea,

    But that’s been going on for four decades, and from being a couple of hundred the Far Right in Britain now amount to probably 10,000 plus.

    So there is no magic wand to whip up a socialist movement to defeat them, and readers should probably study the rise of the FN in France as a guide.

    Once the FN were very small and the French Left was very big, but underestimating them lead in part to their growth.

    Nowadays the left in France is comparatively small, and the National Front and the Far Right fairly sizeable.

    So on the Left we’ve been through this before.

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