Civil Rights and Wrongs for August 17, 2021

The term Critical Race Theory (CRT) is often heard in the news these days, especially in right wing media, even though few really understand its meaning.  This Tuesday we’ll discuss CRT and historical revisionism with David DeMatthews, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at UT Austin.  Last month he wrote an opinion piece for the Austin American-Statesman titled, “SB3 Seeks to Rewrite History. That Should Concern All Texans.”  We’ll hear about efforts of the Texas Legislature to regulate the teaching of Social Studies in Texas schools through HB3979 (now law) and SB3 (proposed).  We also have regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.  And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, joins us as well.

Later in the program we speak with leaders of the Austin Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC).  The commission is tasked with updating the maps that define district representation for the Austin City Council.   We’ll hear from Christina Puentes, Chair, and Luis Gonzalez, Vice-Chair, about this essential work which enables participatory democracy.  [Note: this segment was originally supposed to air on August 10, but encountered technical difficulties.]