Ethnic studies consultancy sparks controversy by blaming Israel for Hamas terror attacks
People gather in support of the recent attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas at Fatih Mosque on October 07, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Burak Kara/Getty Images)
A group of K-12 ethnic studies consultancies is stirring up controversy by supporting calls for Israel’s eradication and promoting anti-Israel rallies following the recent terror attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians, including women and babies.
The Coalition for Liberated Ethnic Studies, a collective of organizations that develop course materials and provide training for K-12 schools and educators across the country, has been urging its followers on Instagram and Twitter to attend anti-Israel protests. They have also shared posts blaming Israel for the killings and advocating for the destruction of the country, even sharing an image of a map of Israel labeled with “Long Live the Palestinian Resistance.”
Among the coalition’s members are a California group that has curriculum contracts with several large school districts, the Minnesota Ethnic Studies Coalition, which has successfully implemented ethnic studies principles in the state’s public school coursework, and National Black Lives Matter at School, which has partnered with the National Education Association to promote activism in K-12 schools.
These posts shed light on the anti-Jewish sentiments held by far-left education activists who aim to incorporate ideas of “anti-racism” and social justice into mainstream curricula nationwide. The coalition’s principles include teaching children about the negative aspects of capitalism and white supremacy, while also emphasizing Palestinian studies and supporting teachers and schools against attacks from Zionist and right-wing forces.
However, even experts in the field of education find it alarming that the coalition appears to embrace Hamas’s acts of terrorism.
“What’s concerning is their disregard for the violence inflicted upon Jews in Israel at the moment, and their willingness to excuse it and attribute it to the ideology they are trying to promote in schools—using ‘settler-colonialism’ as an excuse for the indiscriminate killing of people of all ages,” said Brandy Shufutinsky, director of education and community engagement for the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values.
The Coalition for Liberated Ethnic Studies has not responded to requests for comment. According to its website, its mission is to support a “unified message related to Ethnic Studies,” which includes responding swiftly to dehumanizing actions and pushback from Zionism and right-wing extremists.
The coalition focuses on developing ethnic studies instructional materials for children starting from pre-kindergarten and advocates for the teaching of critical race theory. One of its points of unity is the rejection of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism, which includes labeling Israel as racist and drawing comparisons between Israeli policies and those of the Nazis. The coalition’s values also emphasize the importance of incorporating pre-colonial, ancestral, indigenous, diasporic, familial, and marginalized knowledge.
One of the groups affiliated with the coalition is the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Consortium, which was formed in California after the state rejected its leaders’ initial drafts for a statewide ethnic studies course framework due to bias and anti-Semitism, including references to Jews as “privileged.”
Prominent school districts in California, such as the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Hayward Unified School District, and Salinas Union High School District, are paying the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Consortium to develop their ethnic studies courses.
Another affiliated group is ÉXITO at U.C. Santa Barbara, an “inclusion” teacher training program co-produced by the departments of Asian American Studies, Black Studies, Chicano(a) Studies, Feminist Studies, and the school of education. This program receives $3 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
Other groups associated with the coalition include XITO, a group focused on “decolonizing” education and curriculum development, National Black Lives Matter at School, which aims to create inclusive and equitable classrooms, El Griot & Areito Project, a Black and Indigenous education group focusing on native Puerto Rican studies, Jewish Voice for Peace, a progressive group advocating against U.S. support for Israel, Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism, which encourages LGBT individuals to challenge Israel, and the Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance Teach Palestine Project, which develops anti-Israel model curriculum.
In what ways does the integration of biased perspectives and anti-Israel sentiments into mainstream curricula by the coalition potentially undermine the objectivity of education and foster a biased understanding of complex geopolitical issues
The belief that education should challenge systems of oppression and advocate for social justice. While these principles may seem noble on the surface, their alignment with anti-Israel sentiments raises concerns about the coalition’s true agenda and its impact on the education system.
The recent terror attack by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, on Israel has resulted in the loss of innocent lives. It is deeply disturbing that a group of ethnic studies consultancies, whose role is to provide guidance and resources for K-12 schools, is endorsing anti-Israel rallies and blaming Israel for these attacks. By sharing posts on social media platforms and calling for attendance at these protests, the Coalition for Liberated Ethnic Studies is promoting a dangerous narrative that undermines Israel’s right to defend itself and ignores the violence perpetrated by Hamas.
The coalition’s involvement in education is particularly concerning. Several of its members have curriculum contracts with large school districts and have successfully implemented ethnic studies principles in public school coursework. This means that their biased perspective and anti-Israel sentiments could potentially be integrated into mainstream curricula across the country. The principles of the coalition not only emphasize teaching children about the negative aspects of capitalism and white supremacy but also highlight Palestinian studies, while criticizing Zionist and right-wing forces. This one-sided approach undermines the objectivity of education and fosters a biased understanding of complex geopolitical issues.
Experts in the field of education are raising the alarm over the coalition’s endorsement of Hamas’s acts of terrorism. It is worrisome that these educators are willing to excuse and attribute the indiscriminate killing of people to an ideology they seek to promote in schools. The coalition’s willingness to overlook violence against Jews in Israel and instead blame it on their perceived enemy is deeply troubling and goes against the principles of promoting equality, tolerance, and respect for all.
The Coalition for Liberated Ethnic Studies has maintained silence in the face of criticism. Their website states that their mission is to respond swiftly to dehumanizing actions and pushback from Zionism and right-wing extremism. While it is crucial to address any form of extremism, it is equally important to ensure that this response does not veer into anti-Israel sentiment that tarnishes the reputation of an entire country and its people.
Ethnic studies are meant to promote understanding, inclusivity, and awareness of diverse cultures and histories. However, when bias and political agendas seep into educational materials, it undermines the integrity of the field and does a disservice to students. It is essential for educators to approach ethnic studies with fairness, objectivity, and a commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding among different communities.
The controversy surrounding the Coalition for Liberated Ethnic Studies highlights the need for vigilance in preserving the integrity of education. Combating racism, promoting social justice, and challenging oppressive systems should not come at the expense of promoting biased narratives or excusing acts of violence. It is imperative to ensure that educational institutions and consultancies uphold their responsibility to provide students with a well-rounded and impartial understanding of the world, encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and respect for all individuals and communities involved.
