Here are the steps to know when extremists are coming for your school boards and school districts.
One: Hiding Extremism
Because their views are so unpopular, extremists are not out in the open as they used to be. They try to hide through language, using terms like “they are concerned,” or they try to make it sound like daily issues are happening. Or suddenly, have people saying, “Oh my God, our test scores are abysmal? Did you notice that our entire public school system is failing?”
Extremists make it a point to misrepresent data on purpose. Even when corrected, they still think your public schools are failing.
Two: Every Book Is Indecent
Suddenly, every book is indecent in your school library, and every one of those books needs to be under the utmost scrutiny not to indoctrinate students with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC subjects and/or authors. This is white supremacy.
It starts out as one parent complaining. Then all of a sudden, there are multiple families complaining about books. Even when they know there’s a process for reviewing books.
Make your school board aware of this tactic via emails to school board members, phone calls, etc. Spread the news as far and as wide as possible, including media outlets that will listen to you and possibly report on it.
Three: Rumors About Your School
Suddenly there are rumors about your school and how kids are being indoctrinated at the school.
There might be negative talk about teachers at a specific school who are members of the LGBTQ+ or BIPOC communities. This is white supremacy.
They try to isolate people in power so they feel they do not have any other recourse but to listen to the extremists.
Four: Extremists Create Scapegoats
The scapegoats are typically black and brown kids, LGBTQ+ kids, and empathetic teachers. Being empathic is being attacked by extremists. There’s a video of a Moms for Liberty member saying, “Not everyone deserves my kid’s empathy.” This is a direct attack and dog whistle on the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. They have a list of scapegoats, and it’s in their playbook.
All of this can be solved through community organizing. More to come.