As the newest federal holiday signed in 2021 by President Biden, Juneteenth is slowly becoming a quotidian topic of conversation. June 19, commonly referred to as Juneteenth, can be described as America’s second independence day — marking the day that freed people from slavery in the furthest Confederate-controlled region of Texas. […]
Textbook Censorship
Texas Freedom Network Admonishes State House Politicization of Texas Classrooms
The Texas State House is scheduled today to have its hearing for HB 1804, which would reverse bipartisan reforms initially passed in 1995 by Governor George W. Bush. These reforms prevented the State Board of Education from implementing textbook changes based on personal or political reasons. Their repeal would create broad and subjective criteria for textbooks that Board members could use to censor classroom curriculums. […]
Attention! Attention! Texas Lege Is Looming!
On January 10, 2023, the Texas Legislature will begin its 88th regular session. Thanks to voter suppression and electoral map gerrymandering, Republicans control both chambers comfortably, meaning Democrats will again have to fight exceptionally hard to intercept the barrage of attacks we’re about to see the far-right inflict on LGBTQIA+ Texans, public school teachers and administrators, voters of color, disabled voters, election administrators, and, weird as it feels to say this aloud, books. […]
The Great Social Studies Battle of 2022
The battle over teaching the truth in Texas social studies classes moved back to the State Board of Education in 2022 with a planned overhaul of standards. Tragically, far-right forces ultimately derailed the social studies revision at the state board, showing that the education of Texas students remains vulnerable to political games. […]
Rep. James Talarico is Rev. James Talarico is Rep. James Talarico
Few politicians have had the trajectory of Representative James Talarico (D-Austin). He went from being a public school teacher to passing historic progressive legislation as the youngest member of the Texas Legislature House, and now, answering the pastoral call by going to seminary. […]
