May 4th, 2008 | Education survey

Teacher fired for refusing to sign loyalty oath to the U.S. written in 1952


Wendy Gonaver (38) was offered a job teaching American studies at Cal State Fullerton. The day before class was scheduled to begin, she lost the job  after refusing to sign a loyalty oath swearing to "defend" the U.S. "against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

The loyalty oath was added to the state Constitution in 1952 to root out communists in public jobs. Today, its main effect is to weed out extreme religious believers such as Quakers and Jehovah's Witnesses.

"I was so shocked that I had to do this", said Gonaver, "I wanted it on record that I am a pacifist".

California State University officials stated all employees are required to sign the oath. LA times


Teacher fired for refusing to sign loyalty oath to the U.S. written in 1952


53 votes, 360 views , 8 comments
 
 
Poll tags:Education, Teacher Fired, Teacher, Democracy, Politics, Loyalty Oath, Teachers, Communism, United States

 
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Comments (8)
Vulgarian
(Reply)
Massachusetts, United States

posted May 7th, 2008 at 15:59 CDT

If you live here and enjoy the benefit and protection of the constitution why would you object to taking a loyalty oath? The best defense by an educator would be to teach.

Scotkitty
(Reply)
Arizona, United States

posted May 5th, 2008 at 22:00 CDT

I wouldn't sign anything from the McCarthy era.  You go girl!

Scotkitty
(Reply)
Arizona, United States

posted May 5th, 2008 at 21:42 CDT

"Paranoia runs deep; into your life it will creep. . . ."

Officeshrew
(Reply)
Alabama, United States

posted May 5th, 2008 at 13:08 CDT

many, many, many years ago women teachers were not allowed to be married.....there are more strange things like this teachers of old had to abide by...

Gigglybritches
(Reply)
Texas, United States

posted May 4th, 2008 at 15:15 CDT

I wouldn't want someone that didn't love ther country enough to pledge their loyalty to it to teach my kids. She deliberately takes the oath out of context to raise a stink. Don't let the door hit her in the ass on the way out.

Ivylibertine
(Reply)
Brazil

posted May 4th, 2008 at 14:54 CDT

The women has the right to stand for her beliefs. Go girl!

Drowlord
(Reply)
Texas, United States

posted May 4th, 2008 at 09:47 CDT

"It's main effect is to weed out extreme religious believers such as Quakers and Jehovah's Witnesses."  That's not a fact at all -- probably not even a justifiable opinion -- that radically alters this subject.  Teachers are in a position of exceptional power, and it seems reasonable to require some loyalty or patriotism from them.

Sgissin
(Reply)
Idaho, United States

posted May 4th, 2008 at 09:40 CDT

Oh crap, just sign the paper - you can be a pacifist and defend the Constitution in your own way.

 
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