A Texas State Board of Education member, Democrat Marisa B. Pérez-Díaz, is threatening to sue her colleagues, GOP board members Julie Pickren and Brandon Hall, over social media posts that called her a “Marxist” who does not view America as exceptional.
Background
The dispute began as the majority-Republican State Board of Education rewrote Texas’ K-8 social studies lessons and passed a mandatory reading list for millions of public school children that includes Bible passages. Conservative leaders and activists champion the new lessons, which they view as a way to rid Texas schools of instruction that paints America in a negative light.
Democrats, teachers, and historians point to the whitewashing of American history, an overemphasis on Christianity, and factual errors as reasons why the new lessons will fail the state’s students. Pérez-Díaz sent cease-and-desist letters to Pickren and Hall, stating that their posts could encourage harassment from others.
Response
Neither Pickren nor Hall has stopped their criticism, describing Pérez-Díaz’s claims as “meritless” and an attack on political speech. Pickren’s lawyer, Republican state Rep. Briscoe Cain, wrote in a response letter to Pérez-Díaz, “Only a Marxist — or someone who thinks like one — would attempt to use lawfare to muzzle their political opponents.”
Pérez-Díaz said she is used to civil disagreements with other members during her time on the board. However, name-calling and social media bullying can lead to threats or worse, she said.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
