In this new post racial America, continued...

[unusualmusic_lj_archive]

TEXAS CONSERVATIVES WANT TO DOWNPLAY CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS.

Civil rights leaders Cesar Chavez and Thurgood Marshall -- whose names appear on schools, libraries, streets and parks across the U.S. -- are given too much attention in Texas social studies classes, conservatives advising the state on curriculum standards say.

"To have Cesar Chavez listed next to Ben Franklin" -- as in the current standards -- "is ludicrous," wrote evangelical minister Peter Marshall, one of six experts advising the state as it develops new curriculum standards for social studies classes and textbooks. David Barton, president of Aledo-based WallBuilders, said in his review that Chavez, a Hispanic labor leader, "lacks the stature, impact and overall contributions of so many others."

Marshall also questioned whether Thurgood Marshall, who argued the landmark case that resulted in school desegregation and was the first black U.S. Supreme Court justice, should be presented to Texas students as an important historical figure. He wrote that the late justice is "not a strong enough example" of such a figure.MORE

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Comments

[mhnicholson.livejournal.com]

Hi. I followed your link to the article on Texas state school standards and the following line jumped out at me.

Barton went on to say the state curriculum should ignore the contributions of Anne Hutchinson, a New England pioneer and early advocate of women's rights and religious freedom, and argued that Texas social studies books should discuss "republican" values, not "democratic" ones.

They explicitly admit to trying to change the curriculum for political reasons. This is going to take a while to absorb. Thanks for the link.

[oneshysistah.livejournal.com]

And also from the asshole Texas files: Firestorm hitting the Houston Fire Department after more racist/sexist activity inside the organization - this time, graffiti targeting two female firefighters. Don't read the comments unless you're taking a sedative. The most vocal are screaming reverse racism because there's a Black Firefighters Association!! You know darkies aren't allowed to organize!!!

[unusualmusic.livejournal.com]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! And what the fuck is up with the whole "lets shortcut the investigative process!" from the Mayor?

[oneshysistah.livejournal.com]

I know! It's collective failure throughout with no sign of healing in sight. It's also a shame because the mayor is generally on our side, but damn.

[unusualmusic.livejournal.com]

with him on our side, we sure as hell don't need enemies. And that is one fucked up ratio of men to women, and minorities to whites. DAMN!

[oneshysistah.livejournal.com]

..which is why I generally despise politicians. It's like choosing the lesser of evils and never really about someone who represents my voice, but I digress.

Those stats are par for the course, too. My institution touts its diversity, claiming that they're proud to have 30+% non-white employees. That shit almost made me fall out of my chair laughing because <1% of that 30% are actually in a position of authority in the hospital. But they swear that because they hire Black and Latino folk to clean this place that they're a diverse institution. Right.