RESURGENCE OF PREJUDICE AND VIOLENCE

WHEREAS, the AFT has a long history of condemning and combating prejudice and violence through its publications, materials and actions; and

WHEREAS, recent incidents and reports of ethnic or racial confrontation, anti-Semitism, sexism and violence against homosexuals have indicated a resurgence of hatred and intolerance; and

WHEREAS, organizations such as the Aryan Nation, the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi Party have geared their recruitment of young people to school campuses and dropouts; and

WHEREAS, the hatred and intolerance exhibited by young people who fall prey to these groups and their rhetoric are alarming:

RESOLVED, that AFT locals be aware of the recruitment of our young people to these hate groups and work to educate their members and students about this serious problem; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT reaffirm its opposition to all forms of racism, sexism, bigotry and intolerance and again as in the past join with others to expose and fight this resurgence of prejudice and violence; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT promote educating students, educators and the public to high standards of sensitivity and awareness of the importance of tolerance and understanding in our diverse, democratic society.