![[bill-ayres.webp]]
Bill Ayers, born on December 26, 1944, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, is an [American educator]([[The American Educational System is the Foundation of Cultural Marxism]]), activist, and former member of the radical group known as the [[Weather Underground]]. Here is a detailed biography of Bill Ayers:
### Early Life and Education:
- Ayers grew up in a middle-class family and attended Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
- In 1963, he enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he became involved in the [[Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)]], a left-wing student activist organization.
### Activism and the [[Weather Underground]]:
- Ayers became a prominent member of the [[Weather Underground]] Organization, also known as the Weathermen. The group emerged from a faction within SDS that advocated for more militant and revolutionary tactics in the fight against the [Vietnam War](brain://hLxDFdqEqVCSyM3ic5DGhw/VietnamWar) and perceived social injustices.
- The [[Weather Underground]] conducted a series of bombings and acts of sabotage, targeting government buildings, banks, and symbols of American capitalism. Ayers was involved in these activities, which aimed to draw attention to their cause and protest the war and social inequality.
- The group's most notable action was the bombing of the Pentagon in 1972. However, Ayers has denied personal involvement in this specific attack.
- Following a failed bomb-making incident in 1970, Ayers went underground to avoid arrest. He remained a fugitive for several years but turned himself in to authorities in 1980. Due to legal technicalities, the charges against him were dropped.
### Career in Education and Activism:
- After his surrender, Ayers focused on his career in education and became an influential figure in the field of education reform.
- He earned a Ph.D. in Education from [[Columbia University]] and went on to work as a professor of education at the [[University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)]].
- Ayers has written extensively on educational theory and practice, advocating for progressive education and [[Social Justice]] in schools.
- He co-founded the [[Small Schools Workshop]] and the Center for Youth and Society at UIC, aiming to improve educational opportunities and promote democratic practices in schools.
- Ayers has been involved in various community and educational initiatives, including the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which sought to improve public schools in Chicago.
- Despite his activism and past involvement in the [[Weather Underground]], Ayers has distanced himself from the violent tactics of his earlier years and has emphasized nonviolent means of achieving social change.
### Controversies and Political Views:
- Ayers' association with the [[Weather Underground]] has made him a controversial figure, particularly among conservative circles. Critics argue that his radical past and unrepentant stance undermine his credibility as an educator and public figure.
- Ayers has been involved in political campaigns and has expressed left-leaning political views. He supported [Barack Obama's]([[Barack Obama]]) political career and served on educational boards with him in Chicago. However, Obama and Ayers have stated that their relationship was not significant.
- Ayers continues to be active in progressive causes and has written books and articles on social justice, education, and activism.
Bill Ayers remains a polarizing figure due to his involvement in the [[Weather Underground]], but his subsequent career in education has also garnered attention and influenced discussions on educational reform and social justice in the United States.