Radical Liberals are known for some unhinged rants. But not many come close to how strange this was.
And a liberal leader completely loses her mind in a public address and even Democrats are embarrassed.
In a spectacle that some are calling unhinged and others are hailing as passionate, National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle delivered a fiery keynote address at the union’s annual convention.
The largest teachers’ union in the United States convened with nearly 7,000 delegates in attendance, and Pringle’s performance has ignited a firestorm of reactions from across the political spectrum.
Pringle’s address was marked by a series of impassioned outbursts and dramatic gestures that included wailing, flailing her hands, and repeatedly pounding the podium. Her rallying cry, “We must win all the things,” was delivered with a fervor that left many in the audience cheering, while others were left bewildered by the apparent lack of specific substance behind the slogan.
President of the NEA, Becky Pringle: "We are the ones who hold steadfast to the belief of the plausibility of the possible … We must win ALL the things!" pic.twitter.com/KMPyC3hvg9
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 9, 2024
“We are the ones who hold steadfast to the belief of the plausibility of the possible,” Pringle declared, in a phrase that some critics have labeled as vacuous rhetoric. “We are the heirs of all who did this work before us. We must keep doing! NEA delegates: we can do this work. We must do this. We get to do this work. We will do this work, because our students are depending on us!”
Pringle’s call to “win all the things” was repeated multiple times, creating a chorus that reverberated through the convention hall.
“To win all the things! NEA we have to win all the things! All the things! All the things! Our colleagues are depending on us to win all the things! Keep going NEA, to preserve our democracy, we must win all the things! Delegates, we won’t go back! We will keep going forward! Because we are the NEA! We are the NEA! We are the NEA and that’s what we do. Thank you NEA, thank you I love you.”
But what exactly are “all the things”? Pringle’s address, while high on emotion, left many questioning the concrete objectives and strategies behind the union’s ambitious rallying cry.
In her keynote, Pringle did touch upon specific issues, criticizing the Supreme Court for rendering decisions that she believes “attack, diminish, and disregard the needs and lived experiences of far too many Americans.”
She called for a strengthened public education system “designed around the joy of teaching; a system with a deep sense of community and shared responsibility; a system where high expectations are matched with plentiful resources and supports.”
Pringle’s vehement opposition to privatization, vouchers, and any schemes that could drain resources from public schools was a recurring theme.
“Every day, we will demand that every school consistently has the equitable funding and the resources they need so that every student in every community has the support and opportunities they need to take their rightful places in the world,” she proclaimed.
Furthermore, Pringle praised historical activists like Harvey Milk, asserting that the NEA continues their work. This, she argued, necessitates the re-election of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, whom she described as “pro-childcare; pro-diversity, equity, and inclusion; pro-universal meals; pro-voting rights; pro-schools free of gun violence; pro-racial and social justice friends who have been the strongest champions of public education, of educators, and of the labor movement in the history of our nation.”
While Pringle’s address was certainly impassioned, it has also drawn criticism for its lack of clarity and specificity. The repeated calls to “win all the things” have been viewed by some as emblematic of a broader issue within the NEA and similar organizations—a tendency to prioritize grandiose rhetoric over actionable solutions.
From a conservative perspective, Pringle’s speech underscores the increasing radicalization within the NEA and the broader teachers’ union movement. Her alignment with far-left political figures and causes, as well as her vehement opposition to school choice and privatization, reflect a commitment to maintaining the status quo in public education—a system that many conservatives argue is failing students and parents alike.
The call to strengthen public education through increased funding and resources is a familiar refrain from the NEA, yet critics argue that throwing more money at the problem has not historically led to better outcomes. Instead, they advocate for policies that introduce competition and accountability into the education system, such as school choice initiatives, charter schools, and voucher programs.
Moreover, Pringle’s praise for activists like Harvey Milk and her alignment with the Biden administration’s agenda raise concerns about the politicization of education. Many conservatives believe that schools should focus on core academic subjects and skills rather than serving as arenas for social and political activism.
The NEA’s stance against privatization and school choice is seen by some as an attempt to preserve the union’s power and influence rather than prioritizing the best interests of students. By opposing alternatives to traditional public schools, critics argue, the NEA is denying families the opportunity to choose the best educational environment for their children.
In conclusion, Becky Pringle’s address at the NEA convention was a vivid display of the passion and commitment that characterize the union’s leadership. However, from a conservative viewpoint, her rhetoric falls short of addressing the real issues facing American education today.
The call to “win all the things” may resonate with some, but without clear, actionable solutions, it risks becoming just another empty slogan in the ongoing debate over the future of education in the United States.
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
