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They're Coming for the Books — The War on Education, Democracy, and Your Right to Live
Description
Texas book bans, school vouchers, and the Ten Commandments in every classroom — this is the fight for the future of Texas public education, and it's happening right now in Bell County.
Vouchers. The Ten Commandments in every classroom. A Bible-infused curriculum. School chaplains replacing licensed counselors. And now, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatening to strip a full letter grade off any school district that won't ban the "wrong" books.
In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli traces the throughline from historic anti-literacy laws, Jim Crow's underfunded classrooms, and apartheid's Bantu Education Act to the Texas education policy fights happening in Austin today — then sits down with two Bell County Democratic candidates fighting to change course: Dawn Richardson (Texas House District 54) and Amelia Rabroker (Texas House District 55).
🎙️ GUESTS
Dawn Richardson — Democratic Candidate, Texas House District 54 A retired educator with 39 years in the classroom, 27 of them right here in Central Texas. Former President of the Killeen Education Association and Chair of the Black Caucus of the Texas State Teachers Association. 🔗 https://www.dawn4texas.org/
Amelia Rabroker — Democratic Candidate, Texas House District 55 Central Texas educator, artist, and small business owner running to put public schools, veterans, and working families first. 🔗 https://www.ameliafortexas.com/
💡 WHAT WE COVER
Texas SB 2: the $1 billion private school voucher / Education Savings Account program
Texas HB 2: the $8.5 billion school funding package — and whether it's enough
SB 10: the Ten Commandments mandate in every public school classroom
SB 11 and the Bluebonnet Learning Bible-infused curriculum
The 2023 law allowing school chaplains to serve in place of licensed counselors
Dan Patrick's threat to downgrade school accountability ratings over library books
STAAR testing, school takeovers, and the fight over what Texas kids are allowed to read
What Dawn Richardson and Amelia Rabroker would each fight for first in Austin
🌟 IT GIRLS MENTORING PROGRAM Midway through this episode, Aya talks about Intelligent & Talented Girls, Inc. (IT Girls) — a mentoring program for girls ages 10–18 built to make sure our girls know their history, their worth, and their power, no matter what any legislature tries to take off the table.
👉 Register your young woman for IT Girls or learn how to support the program: www.intelligentandtalentedgirls.com
📅 Early voting matters. Local races matter. Get informed, get registered, and get involved.
🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for more conversations at the intersection of policy, power, and community.
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