Statement

NEA President Responds to William Bennett's Remarks

On September 28, former U.S. Secretary of Education, William Bennett said, "[Y]ou could abort every Black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down" on his "Morning in America" radio show. His divisive and blatantly racist remarks met with immediate criticism. The contempt for his remarks was exacerbated last night when, appearing on several television programs, he refused to apologize, claiming his words were taken out of context.

Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association (NEA), condemned Bennett's remarks:

"We are talking about a man who had one of the most important jobs in America, to educate the nation's children -- all of the nation's children -- Black, white, Latino and Asian. There is no place for that kind of thinking in our nation's education hierarchy and certainly not in its former leader.

"He is equating Black children with criminals. Although Bennett followed the statement with an offhanded remark that his suggestion would be morally reprehensible, the mere fact that he made the statement calls into question his commitment to serving all children. There is no taking that out of context.

"With thinking like that, it is no wonder that schools with a predominantly minority student population are left to languish. Here you have a former secretary of education writing these children off before they even enter the classroom. If that is his perspective before they are born, imagine how that translates into a lack of concern in ensuring they have a quality education."

Sept. 30, 2005

For More Information, Contact:

Staci Maiers, NEA Public Relations (202) 822-7150 

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, school administrators, education support professionals, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.