Okay, But Why?

Across the country, new right-leaning PACs are pouring money into school board races, aiming to flip control of who governs schools in favor of self-proclaimed ‘parents rights’ advocates.

For significantly less than what it would cost them to influence a seat in the House or Senate, these PACs are pouring funds into local school board races and as a result, changing education on a national scale. Their aim? Gain control of more school systems and push back on what is taught about race, sex, gender, and history.

Resources: https://redwine.blue/thecost/

https://schoolboardpartners.org

https://www.schoolboardschool.org

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

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As Season 2 of The Cost of Extremism draws to a close, we're excited to bring you a final bonus episode. Today, we're joined by @JoJoFromJerz for an in-depth conversation about three stories that are particularly relevant today.

First, we have author Seyward Darby from episode 5, The Crunchy Mom to Alt-Right Pipeline. During our interview about white women’s role in the alt-right supremacy movement, Seyward discussed the historical portrayal of white women as martyrs. From literature to popular media, the image of the sacrificial white woman has been perpetuated through countless depictions, all in an attempt to recruit more followers into their white supremacy organizations.

Then we have Cherisse Scott, the founder and CEO of Sister Reach, a non-profit that supports the reproductive autonomy of their community through the framework of Reproductive Justice. In episode 1, Crisis Pregnancy Centers: An Anti-Abortion Healthcare Crisis, Cherisse highlighted the different ways Sister Reach has worked to meet people where they are in their advocacy work.

Finally, we have Nic Stone from episode 2, The Growing Movement to Ban Books. As the New York Times Bestselling author of Dear Martin and other young adult books, Nic theorizes that the push to limit access to specific books originates from a fundamental lack of appreciation for reading among those advocating for bans.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy. But Donald Trump and his new Secretary of Education Linda McMahon haven’t exactly made it a secret that they want to shut down the Department of Education. Phrases like “parental choice” and “school choice” might make this sound good for families, but in reality, it leaves far too many kids behind.

Before we had a Department of Ed, students who weren’t white, were disabled, or living in poverty had little access to a good education. Some, like Native American children sent to abusive “Indian schools,” were actively harmed or even died. But since its founding in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, the department has made sure that every kid has an equal opportunity to learn.

That’s what the Department of Education does. It doesn’t write curriculum for teachers or choose books for librarians - it just makes sure that every child has access to a great public education.

We know that Trump and McMahon are breaking things they don’t understand. So it’s up to us to make sure that we do — and that we share that knowledge with everyone we know.

As season 1 of The Cost of Extremism comes to a close, we have one last bonus episode for you. We’re here with @JoJoFromJerz for a deep-dive into three stories that we think are especially important to hear right now.

First, we have Mia Tretta from episode one, ‘The Impact of Active Shooter Drills.’ In her episode, Mia told her story of surviving a school shooting and the death of her best friend, Dominic Blackwell. But what’s often untold in these stories is the medical impact these events have on victim’s lives. There isn't a quick fix to being shot and in some cases, physical healing can take years.

Eli Erlick and Alejandra Carraballo from episode two, ‘Anti-Trans Bills are Harming LGBTQ+ Youth,’ explain the impact that anti-trans legislation has had not only on gender affirming care for youth, but adults as well.

And Monica Walker from episode four, ‘The School Board Culture War,’ discusses the banning of teaching accurate American history and the danger that comes from ignoring our past.

Resources: https://redwine.blue/thecost/
For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

A flood of state-level efforts to restrict transgender rights are being fueled by many of the Christian and conservative groups that led the charge against Roe v. Wade. The political debate is escalating at a dangerous rate, putting the physical and mental health of trans youth at risk.

Resources: https://redwine.blue/thecost/

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2023/

https://elierlick.com

https://transstudent.org

https://linktr.ee/Jaidonna19?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=6a78e2df-d327-4364-9734-8ab69cefb795
https://www.threads.net/@esqueer_

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA