There is a Tennessee Williams quote that haunts me whenever the world feels upside down: “Mendacity is a system that we live in … Liquor is one way out an' death's the other.”
It’s a tad pessimistic, but Williams captures the disappointment I sometimes feel when mendacity — dishonesty — prevails in society.
It’s certainly the kind of disappointment I felt after reading the National School Boards Association’s September 29 letter to the White House.
The NSBA’s letter asks the federal government to investigate parents who have been confronting school boards across the nation over mandatory masking policies and the use of Critical Race Theory in school curriculum.
And the letter’s content illustrates a surprising new low for those claiming to be in the business of education.
For instance, the NSBA suggests parents pose such an “immediate threat” to local school boards that state law enforcement needs federal assistance. Keep in mind, though, the NSBA offers no real evidence or even an affidavit confirming such a need exists.
They also perpetuate the myth that CRT doesn’t exist in K-12 education and is instead restricted to law schools or advanced graduate courses.
Ironically, it’s a myth that clashes with University of Alabama law professors Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic’s open admission in their book Critical Race Theory. They explain that many scholars “in the field of education consider themselves critical race theorists who use CRT’s ideas to understand issues of school discipline and hierarchy, tracking, affirmative action, high-stakes testing, controversies over curriculum and history, bilingual and multicultural education, and alternative and charter schools.”
It’s also a myth that insults the intelligence of not just parents who have done an impressive amount of due diligence but also educators who have spent the last several years listening to educational training topics - including discussions on equity, bias and diversity, school tolerance, or transformative social emotional learning - that embrace CRT’s tenets. Whether it’s the notion that color-blind policies and equal treatment harm people of color, black advancement occurs only to the extent it benefits white people, or that all white people experience unearned privilege and can never understand the unique experiences of people of color, CRT’s racially divisive ideology has plainly infiltrated schools in varying degrees.
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of the letter, however, is the NSBA’s suggestion that these parents are potentially engaging in “domestic terrorism and hate crimes” by advocating on behalf of their children. Thus, they encourage the government to use its best made-for-movie surveillance authority to stop them.
It’s no surprise then that the letter — as well as U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s receptive (but less surprising) October 4th response —is causing parents to consider a mass exodus from public schools.
Just as a beast is only as strong as those it devours, mendacity is only as strong as those unwilling to speak the truth.
These educators still believe parents are the first educators of their children; one’s success is not dictated by another race; all people share a common humanity; and most importantly, human sins are overcome with God’s grace and redemption, not a forced allegiance to a political ideology.
To date, they have patiently tolerated the crooked logic forced upon them by those who have created a culture of compliance. They’ve gone along because they believed their job was to support children, not fight government overreach.
The NSBA’s egregious behavior, however, has shown them their job might be greater. And collectively, they have power to help parents correct the wrongs in education.
The NSBA and the federal government have proven they are unwilling to protect parental interests in their own children and are willing to lie and engage in tactics of intimidation to maintain their control. They have drawn their line in the sand.
Parents have also drawn theirs.
Now it’s time for these good educators to draw theirs. It may be the only hope for public schools.
Krissie Allen is a former attorney and English teacher who writes about issues impacting faith, society, and good sense. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com
