One of the adjectives I use to label myself is atheist, although it would be more accurate to use the term ignostic which means tell me what you mean by god and I’ll tell you if I believe in that god. I mention that because I feel hope for my country after reading the Lutheran ministers’ letter.
The following (which includes my opinion which does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the FCFS board or all of its members) is in response to this article:
Bowing to Trump DEI ban, Duval schools end minority/women business plan
One Duval County Public School (DCPS) Board member did vote no. Please ask the other board members, “Do you not value diversity and inclusion?”
Item 38 on the May 6 DCPS Board meeting agenda included these words: “Require the removal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs. The change reflects the values of the board.” I am VERY concerned by that wording and the fact that six Board members voted yes.
As Steve Patterson said in his TU article about the agenda item, the Executive Order (that is referenced in the Board policy change) is being challenged in court. If executive orders are being challenged in court, the DCPS board should WAIT until the conflict has been resolved. If the board decides to change a policy to prevent vindictive repercussions from the federal government, they need to at least NOT say it reflects their values if it doesn’t. I do hope agenda item 38 passing by 6-1 isn’t a sign of a future where the majority of the DCPS Board capitulates to Trump’s unlawful horrible executive orders.
President Trump is issuing some horrible executive orders. A bunch of Lutheran ministers issued a protest letter in response to another one of Trump’s executive orders. Their comments include these words (which could also apply to Executive order 14151 which agenda item 38 referenced): “As Christians, we follow Jesus’ command to love God and love others. Christian Nationalism, which does not speak for all Christians, distorts the Gospel and turns Jesus and Christianity into a weapon for power and division instead of a movement towards love and justice.”
I find it horrible that six DCPS Board members voted yes to agenda item 38 that said they don’t value diversity, inclusion, or equity.
References in case you need them.
The new DCPS policy that I mentioned is on page 853 of the DCPS May 6 agenda and includes the following:
Description
7.72 is proposed to be amended to align with Executive Order 14151, requiring the removal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs.
Gap Analysis
The changes recommended to the existing language reflect the priorities and values of the board and the district’s constituent groups.
Excerpts:
As Christians, we follow Jesus’ command to love God and love others. Christian Nationalism, which does not speak for all Christians, distorts the Gospel and turns Jesus and Christianity into a weapon for power and division instead of a movement towards love and justice. As U.S. Citizens, we uphold a system of government that tries to keep the common good central, defends religious freedom, and protects the rights of all. The dangerous ideology of Christian Nationalism demands that a particular brand of Christianity be privileged by the state and impose that singular belief system in order to be a “good American”.
https://www.wichurches.org/articles/religious-liberty
Excerpts:
We, the Lutheran (ELCA) bishops in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, are concerned about an executive order signed by President Trump on Feb. 6 … With this executive order, the federal government has given itself the authority to define what might be considered “anti-Christian,” and therefore also the authority to define what is Christian — a power which belongs to the Church alone, not the federal government. This executive order violates religious freedom, corrupts the separation of church and state, and creates a more hostile environment for Christians and all citizens who believe differently than the current administration and its religious advisors.
