WASHINGTON—Ernest Bihm, program manager for the Educational Opportunities Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law released the following statement urging senators to oppose the nomination of President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Education nominee, Linda McMahon:
“To say her experience in the education field is thin is an understatement. Confirming a nominee who lacks the qualifications and commitment to uphold the department’s mission would deliver a severe blow to students, families, and educators across the country.
“McMahon has zero track record of pushing for equal opportunity for students to succeed in school, which is especially troubling for Black, Brown, and low-income students, and those living with disabilities. The current administration seems hell bent on blowing up any efforts to protect students at risk. Trump has already gutted diversity efforts, and rolled back protections for students who may be struggling through no fault of their own. Every child deserves—and is entitled— to receive a quality education and not have to rely on luck to pursue the future they want and deserve.
“Disgracefully, it appears that McMahon is being brought in to dismantle civil rights enforcement—or worse to weaponize it in service of Trump’s destructive agenda.
“In addition, we are very concerned about the likelihood that McMahon will go along with Trump’s efforts to rewrite history in schools to hide the facts about how Black people have been treated in our country. America’s history includes a lot of painful truths that need to be told about the systemic oppression and abuse of Black people and the perpetual need to fight for civil and human rights. Only when our children learn about the nation’s true history, can we build a better future where we don’t repeat it. We don’t believe for a minute Ms. McMahon will defend our children’s right to learn the real history of America.”
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