Why we oppose Cardoza-moore on Tenn. textbook commission
Education must be based on textbooks and curricula that expand our children’s minds
The Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Commission, to which Laurie Cardoza-moore is being nominated, reviews and recommends books for local school districts to adopt.
The Commission’s decisions affect what and how our children learn. We as a coalition of interfaith leaders, oppose her appointment to the Textbook Commission.
In her guest column, Cardoza-moore refers to our needing to teach a “wholesome education” based on what she claims to be our Tennessee values.
Furthermore, she accuses public education as “spoon-feeding a politicized anti-judeo-christian agenda pushed by foreign interest groups.”
Education should not be limited to one world view
More than 35% of Tennessee public school students come from minority populations. How we talk about the Founding Fathers or slavery or the Civil Rights Movement can either broaden our children’s understanding of the world today, deepen their commitment to our nation, and prepare them to face the challenges of the future or keep us stuck in a past where we see only what we want to see.
That is the fundamental problem with Cardoza-moore’s position. She wants to preserve the notion that America is only for those who ascribe to her interpretation of a Judeo-christian background.
She pits “Western” values against “foreign” values and, in doing so, refuses to see the beautiful diversity that has flourished in the Tennessee of today, making Tennessee a better place to live.
From where we sit, our children would be best served if our schools taught them to respect and accept with open arms the differences among all who live in Tennessee. We believe our children will best be served if they are taught comparative religion, cultural traditions, and values.
In so doing we will help our children better understand what we have in common, rather than the perceived differences Cardoza-moore is afraid they will learn.
Past actions and words explain our opposition to the appointment
Laurie Cardoza Moore purports to stand up for Tennessee values, but what exactly are those values? Are they inclusive of what all Americans believe or just a limited few?
She cannot hide from her past or disguise the true intent of her advocacy work. Her Islamophobia was laid bare in 2010 when the organization she founded, Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, helped finance the failed lawsuit against the building of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. Cardoza-moore made outrageous claims against the Mosque, including the baseless accusation that it was a terrorist training camp. We find it hypocritical that she wants to honor her own religious and immigrant roots, yet attacks others who do the same regarding their roots.
Someone who spreads misinformation about minority groups and challenges their religious liberty should not be in a position to review our children’s textbooks and curricula.
Speak out against anti-semitism but also against all bigotry
We must all speak out and take action against anti-semitism. However, we recognize that we cannot defeat anti-semitism without tackling all forms of discrimination whether it be antimuslim racism, anti-black racism, xenophobia, homophobia or any other forms of bigotry.
The Anti-defamation League (ADL), which works to respond to the escalating climate of anti-semitism and bigotry, stated with respect to Laurie Cardoza-moore, “Our nation’s public schools are for children from all religious backgrounds. It is disgraceful for the Tennessee Textbook Commission to have a member with a long record of anti-muslim bigotry. We urge Speaker Sexton to rescind this appointment.”
Our children deserve the best education possible. This education must be based on textbooks and curricula that expand our children’s minds and prepare them for the future. Laurie Cardozamoore’s bigotry and narrow worldview make her ill-suited to represent Tennessee parents on the Textbook Commission.
Circle of Friends and Family of Abraham: Avi Poster, Abdelghani Barre, Irwin Venick, Ronald Galbraith, Kamel Daouk
Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH): Rev. Edward Lee Thompson, President; Liza Ramage, Chair, Education Task Force
American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC): Saadia Omer, Chair