In a remarkable twist in Texas education, students in public schools will soon encounter a curriculum that characterizes George Washington as a “terrorist” and accuses Christian missionaries of abducting Native Americans to convert them to Christianity. This controversial material is set to be included in a new high school Ethnic Studies course.
Julie Pickren, a Republican member of the State Board of Education, expressed her dismay at this development, labeling it a “sad day for Texas.” The irony here is palpable; despite the Republican majority on the board (10-5), four of its members crossed the aisle to support the curriculum’s approval.
According to Pickren, the course materials describe the first president and Founding Father not only as a “terrorist leader” but also categorize American troops from the Revolutionary War in the same light. Such a characterization raises eyebrows and questions about the broader implications of historical interpretation in education.
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On social media, Pickren warned her followers that the curriculum states, “Christian missionaries kidnapped Indian children and sent them to re-education camps to become Americans and Christians.” Moreover, it is claimed that “Congress paid U.S. soldiers to scalp Indians.” This narrative raises significant historical and ethical considerations about how we teach our past.
In a surprising move, the State Board of Education suspended its usual rules to expedite the approval of what Pickren describes as “far-left propaganda.” This decision was made without public notification, effectively silencing any potential objections from concerned citizens.
Brandon Hall, another board member, also voted against the curriculum, denouncing it as “woke un-American indoctrination.” He articulated his concerns on Facebook, stating, “This course is rotten to the core with CRT, anti-American themes, and historical fallacies.” Hall further criticized the course for pushing students to embrace “land acknowledgements” as a means to honor historical figures, questioning the criteria and timeline for such acknowledgements. He argues that the course prioritizes indoctrination over genuine historical education.
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Syndicated with permission from ToddStarnes.com – founded by best-selling author and journalist Todd Starnes. Starnes is the recipient of an RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award and the Associated Press Mark Twain Award for Storytelling.
