On Jan. 15, MLK weekend, UUCF and partners held a virtual Teaching Truth teach-in. More than 700 people attended. The event included an amazing panel speaking up for truthful and inclusive education that puts students first. Organized by the UUCF Racial Justice Steering Committee, the idea was to host an event to counter lies coming from Virginia’s new governor and others about “critical race theory”(CRT). These lies distort what CRT is and wrongfully claim it is taught in K-12 schools. We are still in the world of “the big lie” that the 2020 presidential election was stolen (it was not), but there are so many dangerous lies, lies spread over social media, lies repeated by “news” organizations, lies that can almost always be traced to political actors who are undermining our social fabric.
Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” When lies are elevated to the level of truth, how can we have a conversation? How can we figure out, for example, how to best manage COVID-19? Truth is a matter of public well-being and moral importance, and it’s urgent to speak for truth … NOW!
It is time to act. If you were inspired by the Teaching Truth panel, follow that example. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in Beloved Community, yet realizing this belief requires committed transformation within us, among us and beyond us. Across the country, now and historically, as people of color gain more social influence, a white supremacist backlash comes. Today, this white supremacist backlash is attacking factuality and democracy. School systems are one front in this struggle, and we have an opportunity to make a lasting impact if we choose to. Although white supremacist backlash is a repeated theme of U.S. history, the moral arc of the universe has continued to bend toward justice. We have a lot to gain when we act with courage, bend the arc and take advantage of the opportunities in front of us.
This Thu., Jan. 27, the Fairfax County School Board meets. FCPS Pride is asking people to sign up to speak virtually (deadline is 7 p.m. Tuesday). Find more information about board meetings, including how to watch them online, here. (Because of the omicron variant, FCPS Pride and UUCF are asking people to participate virtually.) This will be an important board meeting because it will be the last chance to comment on the search for a new superintendent. FCPS Pride has specifically asked for people to:
- Show support for the school board and public schools.
- Speak against racist dog whistles (including the anti-CRT rhetoric) and speak in support of inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people and people of color.
- Encourage the school board not to appease dog-whistle politics, both as a board and in their search for a new superintendent.
- Support teaching accurate history, with inclusive policies, curriculum and materials (including school libraries) that represent students and provide the tools they need to thrive.
The Teaching Truth panel was one example of confronting lies with truth – lovingly and forcefully. Let us make many more.
If you are interested in speaking at the school board and would like help crafting a statement, please reach out to me at abatcher@uucf.org.
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