During the 1940s and 50s, an accusation of "un-American activities" was enough to put your career, and even freedom, in jeopardy. In Los Angeles alone, it is estimated that hundreds of teachers lost their jobs.

Some of these teachers, as well as scholars of the period and educators facing similar threats today, will be among the speakers sharing the memories--and lessons--of that time at a forum and panel discussion presented by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in collaboration with the Southern California Library, Jackie Goldberg, Workmen's Circle, Coalition Against Militarism in Schools, and other groups across L.A.

Download a flyer (PDF) or go to the UTLA website for more information. You can also call the Library at (323) 759-6063.

FORUM AND PANEL DISCUSSION

@UTLA Building
3300 Wilshire Boulevard
2nd floor auditorium
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Listen to a preview from the National Lawyers Guild Show that aired on KPFK

Free Admission. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The UTLA building is located at the corner of Wilshire and Berendo, two blocks west of Vermont. Parking is available behind the building. Enter on Berendo.

Materials from the Library's extensive collections on blacklisted teachers will be on display at the event. A few highlights from the collections are listed below.

• Personal papers of Frances Eisenberg: A Canoga Park High School teacher whose legal battle over her dismissal will be discussed as part of the forum.
• Abraham Minkus Papers: A union activist who lost his teaching credentials and ended up going into the drycleaning business.
• Greg Goldin, Dorothy Doyle, and Thomas Fagan Collections: Oral history interviews with blacklisted teachers, including Minkus. “I felt I was wasted,” he said.
• Ellen Chase Verdries Collection: Ellen will be part of the forum.
• Jean Benson Wilkinson Papers: including correspondence and a statement by the L.A. Federation of Teachers.
• Blacklisted Teachers in Los Angeles: clippings.