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Monday, April 5, 2021

Maurice Cunningham: The Rise of an Astroturf Rightwing “Parents” Group | Diane Ravitch's blog

Maurice Cunningham: The Rise of an Astroturf Rightwing “Parents” Group | Diane Ravitch's blog
Maurice Cunningham: The Rise of an Astroturf Rightwing “Parents” Group




Maurice Cunningham is professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts. He specializes in unmasking Dark Money groups.

He writes:

Radical Right Ramps Up War on School Boards, Superintendents, Principals, and Teachers

A new professedly “grassroots” group called Parents Defending Education has joined the right wing assault on public education. It combines white supremacy with a vicious plan to launch personal attacks on elected officials, administrators, and teachers. Just another day in corporate education reform.  

This group says it is fighting to restore “healthy, non-political education for our kids.” What they mean is anything that critically examines America’s racial history or present. 1619 is out, Trump’s 1776 project to promote “patriotic education” is in. Ibram X. Kendi and anti-racism? Definitely out. Wally and the Beav, in. 

Parents Defending Education is a campaign to direct and manage attacks on educators who candidly CONTINUE READING: Maurice Cunningham: The Rise of an Astroturf Rightwing “Parents” Group | Diane Ravitch's blog