Letter to the TEA
Response to newly issued TEA for grades 6-12 regarding instruction on Israeli-Palestine Conflict, updated 11/15/23
Summary: on October 20, 2023, Governor Abbott and TEA issued ‘Educational Resources on Israeli Conflict for Texas Students’. Following is the response, issued on November 3rd by a group of concerned parents across TX, to the Governor and the Commissioner of Education. As of November 15th, 742 letters have been sent, but not one single response has been received. Countless additional copies of the letter have also been adapted and sent independently by parents to teachers, librarians and principals to spread awareness and resources. To send the letter to the Governor and Commissioner, click here.
Dear Governor Abbott and Commissioner Morath,
On October 20, 2023, Governor Abbott and TEA issued ‘Educational Resources on Israeli Conflict for Texas Students’. This was a needed step to counteract antisemitism. While we appreciate the Governor’s effort to deflate conflict, a thorough assessment of these educational materials highlights the disproportional representation and omission of facts. The resources emphasize the various aspects of the conflict from the view of Israel, but there is minimal acknowledgement of the history and current suffering of Palestinians.
As stated in the press release, many of the resources came from the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, the Institute for Curriculum Services (focused on Jews, Judaism, Jewish history and Israel in the United States), the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and the ADL. The lack of objectivity and presence of bias in the educational material seems to stem from the absence of resources from organizations and groups that educate and promote a greater understanding of the Palestinian people, Arabs, Muslims and the underlying themes of Islamophobia.
A careful review of all the resources revealed that Islamophobia was mentioned only once throughout the entire set of resources. This mention can be found in the ADL Guidance titled, “10 Ways to Have Conscientious Conversations on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”. The remainder of this entire resource never expands on anti-Muslim bias. There are no other resources that address Islamophobia.
Focusing exclusively on one perspective inherently reduces the objectivity of the curriculum being taught to students and leads to a biased understanding of the conflict. It is crucial that educational materials present a balanced and unbiased view, allowing students to form their own opinions, based on diverse perspectives. The process of vetting materials and voices fosters empathy in learners, reduces biases, prejudice, and misunderstandings. It allows development of critical thinking skills, promotes conflict resolution skills and facilitates social cohesion– goals we all have for the children of Texas.
We appreciate the Governor’s commitment to keep our children safe in school by proactively fighting antisemitism. We do, however, fear that by failing to include resources to address Islamophobia or acknowledge the realities, struggles and humanity of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students, the State of Texas will inadvertently contribute to an adverse school environment, marginalizing such students. Marginalized students are in turn at increased risk of peer-to-peer bullying, discrimination, and harassment from school administrators and faculty. Marginalization may also lead to poor social-emotional development and heightened risk factors for mental health disorders. Muslims experience disproportionately higher rates of hate speech and bullying. According to an ISPU poll, “61% of Muslim participants reported experiencing religious-based discrimination. This number is in stark comparison to other religious groups, with 48% of Jews, 21% of Protestants, and 19% of Catholics reporting discrimination based on faith affiliation.” It is thus imperative that the state also proactively fight against Islamophobia. We are hopeful that Governor Abbott’s guiding principles on religious freedom will prevail again as he previously spoke out against hate speech targeted at Dr. Shafi, a Tarrant County Muslim Leader.
In addition, Governor Abbott has long been a proponent of parental rights and autonomy in terms of children's education, and our recommendations are perfectly aligned with this stance. We hope that the Governor will stand by his commitment to all the parents and students within the State of Texas.
We have provided an initial overview of materials below and look forward to collaborating with the Governor, TEA, educators and administrators on the further development of materials to encourage an inclusive and balanced understanding that ensures a welcoming and safe environment for all students. Kindly contact us on concernedparentsoftx@gmail.com.
Preliminary List of Supplemental Resources to help explain the Israel-Palestine conflict, address Islamophobia and foster understanding in our public schools in Texas
*Most of the films listed below are produced by Unity Productions Foundation (UPF). We are happy to work with the state to provide access to the body of UPF films (and related teaching toolkits, if available) to help facilitate meaningful discussion on the topic.
Islamophobia:
Resources below can help to dismantle and counter Islamophobia and related myths about Muslims):
1. American Muslims: Facts vs. Fiction- A film about contemporary Muslims in America
This 10-minute film uses research from leading organizations to address commonly held misconceptions about Muslims.
2. Does the Media Portray Muslims in a Fair Manner?
This 4-minute video challenges audiences to question the validity of their own perceptions of Muslims.
3. Why Do People Hate? (Sultan and the Saint Excerpts)
This 2 minute video is an excerpt from a full length documentary, ‘Sultan and the Saint’, which provides an explanation of ‘why do people hate’.
Teaching materials for ‘Sultan and the Saint’ may currently be accessed through: https://www.sultanandthesaintfilm.com/education
In this personal, powerful talk, Mogahed asks us, in this polarizing time, to fight negative perceptions of her faith -- and to choose empathy over prejudice.
4. Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU)
This is a great website for educators to discover trends and opportunities to combat Islamophobia. Specifically, the following toolkits are helpful in providing research-based solutions:
History and Literature related to Israel-Palestine Conflict:
Following is a preliminary list of resources which can help provide a more balanced narrative of the existing conflict:
1. Crash Course: Conflict in Israel
This is a 13- minute video describing the conflict in Israel. Selected resources from this well-known YouTuber, John Green, are already widely used by HISD for AP World History, and we recommend supplementing with this video as well.
Great educational resources are provided through this project that teach about the conflict in Gaza and Israel.
3. A Hundred Years’ War on Palestine
A landmark history of one hundred years of war against the Palestinians from the foremost US historian of the Middle East, told through pivotal events and family history.
4. Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
A book by Jimmy Carter (2007), the former president, and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. It offers an assessment of what must be done to bring permanent peace to Israel with dignity and justice to Palestine.
5. Palestine: A Four Thousand Year
This work traces Palestine's millennia-old heritage, uncovering cultures and societies of depth and complexity that stretch back to the very beginnings of recorded history.
6. The Nakba on Vox (Why Palestinians protest every May 15)
At the time that Israelis celebrate Independence Day, Palestinians commemorate the Nakba, or “the Catastrophe.”
7. Except for Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics
Scholar and political commentator Marc Lamont Hill and Israel-Palestine expert Mitchell Plitnick spotlight how holding fast to one-sided and unwaveringly pro-Israel policies reflects the truth-bending grip of authoritarianism on both Israel and the United States.
8. Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
An account through the eyes of a young girl of her experiences growing up in Palestine. Barakat's focus is on peace and understanding. She recognizes that both sides have valid views, but that both sides are harmed by the occupation. In that context, her book is invaluable as one of a growing number of voices - both Israeli and Palestinian - speaking out about their experiences and striving for mutual understanding.
Highlights of Muslims in America:
1. Spotlight on the American Muslim Experience (Tulsa)
A 10-minute video clip shows that Muslims have been in America since its earliest days. This clip is excerpted from a 3-part series which aired on PBS called ‘The Great Muslim American Road Trip’, which we would like to also make available to educators across Texas to help alter perspectives.
2. Muslim Service to America: Example Healthcare
A 8-minute clip that highlights Muslims in healthcare, an area where the service of the Muslim community is exceptional. Prejudices that young Muslims face are shown through the life of a sincere young woman. This clip is also excerpted from ‘The Great Muslim American Road Trip’ referenced above.
3. Prince Among Slaves (This links to a trailer)
A documentary chronicling the life of Abdul Rahman, an African Prince, enslaved in Mississippi, whose struggle for freedom in the American South has lessons for us all. The following is a link to the teacher materials: prince-among-slaves-lesson-plan.pdf (upf.tv). A viewing guide has also been provided for classrooms.
4. My Fellow American
The climate of suspicion towards our fellow American Muslims compromises the great values that our country was founded upon. Short film by UPF.
5. On a Wing And a Prayer - UPF (Unity Productions Foundation)
This full length documentary follows Monem Salam as he enrolls in a flying school, where he soon draws the attention of the FBI, which confirms his family's fears.
Additional Resources:
1. Enemy of the Reich - UPF (Unity Productions Foundation)
This documentary film tells the astonishing story of a Muslim woman who was a spy for the Allied forces in Nazi-controlled Paris during World War II.
2. Lamya's Poem - UPF (Unity Productions Foundation)
An inspiring and timely tale about a 12-year-old Syrian refugee girl named Lamya. When she flees the violence of her country, she is given a book of poetry by the famous 13th-century poet Rumi. As the perils of her journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway where she meets Rumi when he was a boy and also a refugee fleeing the violence of his time. Lamya must help young Rumi find his calling and write the poem that 800 years later will save her life.
3. Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World - UPF
This film takes audiences on an epic journey across nine countries and over 1,400 years of history. It explores themes such as the Word, Space, Ornament, Color and Water and presents the stories behind many great masterworks of Islamic Art and Architecture.
Teacher guide: Microsoft Word - Discussion Guide-Mirror of the Invisible World-2013.docx (upf.tv).
4. Resources - MOST (mostresource.org)
A resource service — fast facts, polls, research, experts—about Islam and the Muslim world.
Again, to send the above letter and resource list to the Governor and Commissioner, click here. Also please consider adapting and sending directly to your school principals, librarians, and teachers to spread awareness.
