At Monday’s press briefing, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was asked about the number of black men in education.
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00:00Leader Jeffries, it's Teacher Appreciation Week and tomorrow is Teacher Appreciation Day.
00:05Can you talk a little bit about your favorite teachers growing up?
00:08And in addition to that, black men make up just 1% of the teacher workforce.
00:13Is there anything that the federal government can do to increase the number of black men in education?
00:18Well, one, we certainly look forward to continuing to celebrate our educators,
00:25including those who are members of Congress like Representative Johanna Hayes,
00:31who was the Educator of the Year several years back.
00:34I'm very proud of her and several others like Greg Lansman and many, many others
00:40who have been educators throughout their careers.
00:43And we know Frederick Douglass once made the observation,
00:46it is easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken men and, of course, broken women.
00:53And so the United States of America has to continue to celebrate and lift up our public schools,
00:59our educators, and our capacity to make sure that people receive a first-rate education
01:07so that they have a pathway into the American dream.
01:13Republicans are trying to actually decimate public schools by shutting down the Department of Education.
01:19And the contrast couldn't be any clearer.
01:23I've had several consequential teachers throughout the years.
01:27I'll refrain from mentioning any of them.
01:30I still have to get re-elected every other year.
01:33And so I'm not going to choose sides other than to say I'm thankful for my elementary school teachers,
01:38my high school teachers, and those that I met and learned from in terms of higher education.
01:44I think studies have consistently shown that having a diverse group of educators,
01:50which would include African-American educators and men in particular,
01:57where there has been a shortage, particularly in many urban communities across the country,
02:04is something that would benefit everyone,
02:08particularly in places like many of the neighborhoods that I represent.
02:10that I make sure that there is no foundation for a community in the community.
02:14I'd like you to think of my
02:19the own community.
02:21And I'm really excited because it is an important part of the community.
02:23And I'm joining us,
02:25including these individuals.
02:25I'm really excited about that.
02:26We want to actually hear the answer.
02:28I have a voice in my mind that I'm really excited to hear.
02:30And I have a voice in my voice.
02:33I have a voice in my voice.
02:34I have a voice in my voice.
02:36So, I've been able to hear your voice.
02:37I can hear my voice in my voice.
02:38I can hear my voice in my voice.
02:39I'm really excited to hear your voice.