Last week, CFER advisor Joe Nalven asked for your help to collect statements regarding Hamas's terrorist attacks on Israel and innocent Israelis. We have been able to collect dozens of statements from American universities, organizations, public schools and private schools. Of those statements, more than half failed to mention or condemn "Hamas"  ─ they may have attempted to be politically correct; or they may have failed despite worldwide reports that Hamas initiated the horrific assault on Israeli civilians. Astonishingly, only one statement mentioned "values," the most fundamental belief a person can have that guides daily decisions.

Instead, the majority of these statements provoke fancy euphemisms like "diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)," "justice," "safe space," "(anti-) bigotry," "(no) hate," "anti-racism," "(anti-) discrimination," "(anti-) bias," and "belonging." Just take a look at the statement from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and contrast it with the one from the Poway Unified School District (PUSD).

Will a statement such as the one from the PUSD foster any sort of belonging? It blames "hate," "prejudice," "racism," and "retaliation," but fails to recognize that Hamas is the instigator of the latest Israel-Hamas war. Will an official stance from a public entity like that of PUSD bring people together and build understanding? The answer is a resounding NO . On the contrary, such sentiments and rhetoric ─ obsessed with corrosive identity politics and oppression ideology ─ are contributing factors to terrorist regimes like Hamas. Such regimes exercise coercive control, weaponize hate and indoctrinate  individuals to commit atrocities! At home, the ideology of oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism (similar to that shared and propagated by Hamas) translates into the widespread use of critical race theory (CRT) and CRT-themed indoctrination in our schools, communities and businesses.

On Thursday, October 12th, PUSD held its monthly BOE meeting. It opened with Board President Dr. Patel asking for a moment of silence. Once again, just one day after issuing a written statement, PUSD leadership refused to acknowledge the "Hamas terrorist attack." Sadly, PUSD's reactions are typical of "mainstream America." A so-called "inclusive" statement without mentioning basic facts only alienate and gaslight the victims. Several PUSD parents and members from the local Jewish community spoke. They criticized the statement as vague and that it did not make the community feel SAFE. They even shared a few incidents of racist comments and antisemitic incidents in the school district.

At the same board meeting, two students claimed that they do not identify as Americans and don't feel safe and welcome when there are only the American flag and California state flag on display. They demanded a Mexican flag to show that the district "inclusive." Really? If public school districts start to cave into these requests under the name of DEI, fundamental American values will erode.

The only way to fight against DEI ideology is to get involved in your local school district. The Jewish community stood up (here and more can be found in the public comments session of the meeting), resulting in three of five PUSD board members condemning Hamas terrorist attacks (here, here and here). Now, more than ever, it is the community's responsibility to revive our values when school officials hesitate to do their job, both at the school district level as well as among our young students.

CFER will continue to do its best to expose the damage that DEI ideology has done to our society and to our culture. In this fight, your prompt action is needed! We need you to be a watchdog in your local school district so that we can work together to bring good values back and to improve the quality of education in the process. If you wonder how and why so many local parents and community members are consistently showing up and speaking at PUSD board meetings, I would like to connect you with the local watchdog organization PUSD Community Watch.

As always, CFER's work supporting local organizing and educating the public depends on your support. If you can, please consider making a kind donation to us today.

Thank you in advance!