Three Big, Obvious Changes
Between April 2021 and August 2021, the Eanes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) webpage, changed in obvious ways:
- the pledge to promote “social justice” was removed: We pledge to promote social justice and to address racism in Eanes ISD;
- at the bottom, the list of specific promises was removed;
- and this anodyne paragraph was added at the top: Our primary goal for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is to improve school climate by creating an environment where all of our students feel accepted and welcome.
The changes demonstrate how the School Board engages in the shady rhetorical shift from the controversial bailey (promote social justice) to the safe, reasonable motte (improve school climate, create environment where students feel accepted and welcome).
Pay attention: defenders of the School Board frequently make this shady motte-and-bailey rhetorical shift. Now you know to watch for it, so you can call them out on this maneuver.
One Little Change
Between March and April 2021, there was one other change made to this Eanes DEI webpage.
Original sentence: While we will focus on enhancing racial awareness initially, our goal is to improve access and increasing belongingness of all students, including those with religious, sexual identity, cultural, ability and economic differences.
Revised sentence: While we will focus on enhancing racial awareness initially, our goal is to improve access and increasing belongingness of all students, including those with religious, gender identity, cultural, ability and economic differences.
It’s just a small, one-word change, but it’s an important tell: it gives you important information: behind the scenes, they’re talking about the vocabulary of Critical Gender Theory and Critical Queer Theory.
Have you done your reading about these topics? Are you prepared to defend the District from the implementation of these theories?
Because the Push Won’t Stop
The next two sentences from the DEI webpage show the School Board has big plans for applying all types of Critical Theory:
Ultimately, our purpose is to develop a sense of belonging for all members of diverse groups.
By taking these direct steps around racial awareness, EISD leaders will learn how to respond within the school district and the community to the direct and recent calls for change coming from various stakeholders.
The members of the School Board have made clear that they are only starting with applied Critical Race Theory. Are you ready for where they move next?