Jackson-Reed is known for political homogeneity. Our left-leaning school is a place where leftist political content often goes unnoticed. 

A prime example is the poster of Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro hanging in room 205. The poster, pictured right, features an image of Castro above an anti-imperialist message. 

While we don’t think it’s bad to promote strong political messages in educational settings, students and staff have an obligation to think carefully about the people represented in schools.

Because this is a sensitive issue, it’s important to acknowledge a few things: 

First, this article is not in any way meant to incriminate social studies teacher Amanda Chang, the poster’s owner. Many of the graphics displayed in her room are solely educational—not indicative of her personal beliefs (Castro Cuba is featured in the curriculum of her World History II class). She was also adamant about her intention to prioritize her students’ well-being, even if that means taking down the poster. 

Second, this article is not a criticism of leftist or revolutionary regimes. On the contrary, we recognize that the Cuban government under Castro was characterized by serious flaws and important benefits.

However, as a matter of social awareness, Castro should not be featured on classroom media in a way that positively connotes him as an individual.

Castro’s government, notorious for political persecution, is responsible for the deaths and disappearances of thousands of Cubans. Many of us are familiar with the regime’s domestic abuses, but its legacy is further complicated by its international impact.

While some recognize him as a symbol of Afro-Cuban liberation, Castro represents darker times for certain parts of the world. As his quest for anti-imperialism brought him to Ethiopia, his alliance with the faux-marxist Provisional Military Administrative Council, colloquially known as the DERG, began a disastrous era for the country. Along with upholding the illegal annexation of Eritrea, the DERG heavily persecuted ethnic minorities across both countries. One of their most heavily targeted groups was the Beta Israel, the ethnic Jewish minority.

The DERG established a state-sponsored atheism that campaigned against citizens practicing their religious beliefs. Jewish people and Muslims subsequently suffered violent attacks. 

The reign of the DERG was a main cause of the mass Jewish exodus from the horn of Africa to the Levant. Around 20,000 Beta Israel Jews were forced to leave their homes, with around 4,000 dying during the escape.

Castro’s direct and indirect connections to global human rights abuses make him a poor representation of the values promoted in our classes. Thus, his inclusion among posters of social justice leaders feels inappropriate.

Of course, the role of political media in classrooms is open to interpretation, and we welcome further discussion. Still, as a general principle, we believe it is important to facilitate conversations about controversial historical figures without glorifying them. •