Page 3 | Teachers shouldn't post controversial thoughts publicly (Hamas related)

ermno3 · 2023-10-18T20:03:18+00:00

In light of the war a teacher I have on social media has been quite vocal about their thoughts/feelings (fine). However, they are now on a public platform stating they don't believe Hamas are terrorists, rather a resistance who's actions are justified. AIBU to think they shouldn't be airing these thoughts so publicly in light of their profession?

GRex · 19/10/2023 06:16

It isn't legal in the UK to support Hamas, because they are a terrorist organisation. You can report the teacher to police using the online form with a link, or calling 101.

Wonkasworld · 19/10/2023 07:02

mellowgrape · 18/10/2023 21:36

I would rather have my kids taught by teachers who have views and opinions than people who are forced to obey what the government says because they are in bed with the bullies with big guns and money.

So you would be happy for an appeaser (terrorist symphathiser) teaching your kids the art of appeasement. That's no different to learning how to comply and conform. You are contradicting yourself.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 19/10/2023 10:19

I imagine any Jewish students would feel unsafe in this teachers class

Bellringers · 19/10/2023 11:05

A good friend of mine is a politics teacher. He absolutely is sharing his views, and I'm glad he is because I learn a lot from him.

Its an issue if their social media shows a link to the school, because they shouldn't be appearing to speak for the school. Nor should they be linked on SM to those that are teaching. But in terms of having an opinion they absolutely should be able to share.

flumposie · 19/10/2023 11:19

This is why so many teachers ( including myself) do not use our full name on social media, instead middle names etc. I do not post political things on Facebook, but I do 'like' political posts on twitter.

wheatsheaf8 · 19/10/2023 14:26

HeidiInTheBigCity · 18/10/2023 21:32

Do you REALLY want the total intellectual non-items that genuinely have zero controversial opinions to be in charge of teaching your kids to think critically, though?

Or, alternatively: the "compliant - to the extent that they will pretend to have neither personality nor opinions, if their employer so demands"?

Again: DO complain when teachers take their ideology into the classroom - and leave them the hell alone on "they do not, they just, like the rest of us, happen to have a life outside of work!"

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I want people who have the self-restraint and wisdom to not push their opinions on others to be in charge of teaching my kids. I always most respected my teachers and lecturers who were evidently fiercely intelligent anf thoughtful, but not so arrogant and self-important as to feel the need to vocalise their personal opinions. There are ways of presenting information, and opinions from a variety of perspectives, in a way that doesn't put YOUR view at the centre, and I'd have thought this was the mlst basic skill a teacher should possess. If they don't have the self control or humility to leave their views aside, they shouldn't be teaching.

wheatsheaf8 · 19/10/2023 14:27

It actually infuriates me the way teachers abuse their position of influence like this.

DiamondTiddler · 19/10/2023 14:49

wheatsheaf8 · 19/10/2023 14:27

It actually infuriates me the way teachers abuse their position of influence like this.

*some, not all.

Xenia · 19/10/2023 15:32

King Charles which rightly this week called for tolerance of different views. Also teachers can try to do what I have always tried with my 5 children which is give both views eg I vote Tory but I have never said to the children vote like that. I have given them pros and cons of different views and they use their own critical thinking to choose their views.

SylvanianFrenemies · 19/10/2023 15:55

Supporting Hamas isnt "different views" though.
It isn't support for Palestine.
It is support for murder, rape and torture.
If a teacher expressed support for ISIS throwing gay men off of buildings you wouldn't call it a "different view".

Wonkasworld · 19/10/2023 16:15

I'm not surprised a teacher has publicly announced their feelings. Education has been infiltrated by the left wing for years. Anyone who says otherwise is deluded. Surprise surprise, plenty of lefty champagne socialists are silent on Hamas.

DdraigGoch · 19/10/2023 23:04

Xenia · 19/10/2023 15:32

King Charles which rightly this week called for tolerance of different views. Also teachers can try to do what I have always tried with my 5 children which is give both views eg I vote Tory but I have never said to the children vote like that. I have given them pros and cons of different views and they use their own critical thinking to choose their views.

Some views have no place in a civilised society. Anti-semitism included.

DdraigGoch · 19/10/2023 23:07

Someone was asking if other professions were held to the same standard. Well a banker has been sacked and a number of law students have had job offers withdrawn so clearly some employers take this seriously.

ToWhitToWhoo · 19/10/2023 23:19

I don't necessarily think this about all controversial views. I think a teacher has every right to post on social media that they support the Tories, or think Brexit is great, or are 'pro-life' (I have deliberately used as my examples views with which I personally disagree.) But anything that supports intergroup violence crosses the line.. Pro-Hamas statements would make Jewish pupils feel very vulnerable and might even encourage antisemitic bullying. (It would also be inappropriate for a teacher to post extremist statements on the other side- 'Gaza should be turned into a parking lot'.)

ToWhitToWhoo · 19/10/2023 23:21

SylvanianFrenemies · 19/10/2023 15:55

Supporting Hamas isnt "different views" though.
It isn't support for Palestine.
It is support for murder, rape and torture.
If a teacher expressed support for ISIS throwing gay men off of buildings you wouldn't call it a "different view".

Exactly; it's one thing to be pro-Palestinian and another to support Hamas.

LemonyTicket · 20/10/2023 00:00

I don't really mind teachers sharing their politics, even if I don't agree with it.

But sharing this is outright condoning very brutal acts of murder and torture towards Jews.

That's too far.

I'd complain to the school.

Jewish kids shouldn't have to hear this.

GRex · 20/10/2023 06:33

Bellringers · 19/10/2023 11:05

A good friend of mine is a politics teacher. He absolutely is sharing his views, and I'm glad he is because I learn a lot from him.

Its an issue if their social media shows a link to the school, because they shouldn't be appearing to speak for the school. Nor should they be linked on SM to those that are teaching. But in terms of having an opinion they absolutely should be able to share.

Supporting terrorism and glorifying murder is not just "an opinion".

alpinia · 20/10/2023 06:41

Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation. It is not allowed or appropriate to support them. The teacher should be reported. They are welcome to continue to show their support for the Palestinian people, or whatever other groups they also take interest in. You would be very concerned if a teacher was expressing their support for ISIS online; supporting Hamas should bring the same feeling of revulsion.

Bellringers · 20/10/2023 08:31

@GRex whether or not Hamas' are a terrorist organisation is an opinion. Even the BBC refer to them as a 'so called' rather than as terrorists.

FWIW my friend doesn't support Hamas, but he does share about Israel being occupiers who are currently committing war crimes. As is his right to do so.

GRex · 21/10/2023 09:44

Bellringers · 20/10/2023 08:31

@GRex whether or not Hamas' are a terrorist organisation is an opinion. Even the BBC refer to them as a 'so called' rather than as terrorists.

FWIW my friend doesn't support Hamas, but he does share about Israel being occupiers who are currently committing war crimes. As is his right to do so.

Hate speech is an opinion. In both cases, we have a criminal justice system that defines which statements fall outside the law. Supporting Hamas falls outside the law, that is why it should be reported to police.

There's a really important difference to understand here. Support for Palestinians having aid, land, safety and work is not illegal. Support for the rape of women, murder of babies, torture of civilians and taking people hostage is illegal. Fundamentally it's to do with promoting actions that would be illegal. It is not illegal to give food and water, so it is legal to support that. It would be illegal to cut someone's head off, so it is not legal to support that. I hope that helps you with the distinction.

GRex · 21/10/2023 10:07

Just a quick addition, because some people don't seem to be aware of context around certain statements. The statement "from the river to the sea" is problematic because it states a willingness to confiscate all of Israel's lands; Tel Aviv, Haifa, etc. All land from the Golan heights down past the Dead Sea being taken from Israel and given to Palestinians, displacing 9.4m Israelis who would have nowhere to go. The words sound pretty, but they are calling for the total destruction of Israel and all of its citizens. It's just worth being very aware of the meaning, when you see people post it online and wave it on placards in marches for "peace".