Texas Senate Republicans Disregard Crucial Racial Protections: Aicha Davis Exposes Voucher Proposal’s Eerie Echoes of Segregation’s Past

DALLAS – In a move reported by Scott Braddock of the Quorum Report that has drawn significant attention, Chairman Senator Brandon Creighton of the Texas Senate Education Committee has chosen not to incorporate protections against racial discrimination into the current voucher legislation proposal. Reacting to this development and the stance taken by Senate Republicans, State Board of Education Member Aicha Davis released the following statement:

“Senator Creighton, along with the Texas Senate Republicans, has chosen to reject adding language to the legislation that would guarantee fundamental equal protections as deeply enshrined in our nation’s constitution. This decision raises significant concerns regarding the underlying intentions and potential consequences of this voucher proposal, particularly in terms of safeguarding the integrity of our public schools and upholding Texas’s dedication to equal opportunity.

It’s essential to remember that vouchers, historically, have been intertwined with attempts at segregation. For instance, in 1959, officials in Prince Edward County, Virginia, rather than desegregate their public schools in response to the Brown v. Board of Education decision, opted to shut down the entire public school system. White leaders then established private, whites-only schools, offering vouchers for white students to attend these institutions. This glaring use of vouchers to maintain segregation underscores the profound implications such policies can have on our commitment to equal opportunity. In today‘s context, witnessing moves that could potentially echo such a troubling period in our history is deeply concerning.

The decision to omit protections against racial discrimination is a stark reminder that the fight for equality is far from over. Every legislative decision we make should unambiguously uphold our nation’s founding creed from the Declaration of Independence: “that all men are created equal.” By neglecting to include equal protection language in this legislation, we fail not only the students of Texas but also the fundamental values upon which our nation stands.”