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Unraveling the Agenda Behind Moms for Liberty
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In this episode Karen sits down to talk with Liz with over 30 years of experience in studying education policies. She shares insights into the privatization efforts led by figures like Betsy DeVos, particularly in Michigan.
They dive into the background and motivations behind the Moms for Liberty movement and its impact on the public school system.
Liz highlights the connection between Moms for Liberty and the push to redirect public funding to private settings, emphasizing the role of key figures like Betsy DeVos in shaping the movement's agenda. Liz also addresses the involvement of the Republican Party in supporting Moms for Liberty as a strategic tool for recruiting members.
The conversation delves into the tactics employed by Moms for Liberty, including strategic messaging to incite fear and portray their actions as grassroots movements. Liz sheds light on the national connections behind Moms for Liberty, involving organizations like the Heritage Foundation and ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council).
The discussion shifts to Liz's experiences attending school board meetings in different states, revealing scripted speeches and coordinated efforts to influence public opinion. She shares an anecdote about a parent's realization of the movement's potential consequences, leading to a shift in perspective.
Liz details the significant online presence of Moms for Liberty, estimating their membership to be around 20,000 people on various platforms. She underscores the importance of countering misinformation and presents Stop Moms for Liberty as a grassroots movement committed to defending public education without financial ties or formalized structures.
The conversation also covers the recent controversy involving Scholastic's decision to segregate books by authors' backgrounds, a move that faced public backlash. Liz explains the objections raised by Stop Moms for Liberty and their successful efforts in prompting Scholastic to reconsider their decision and issue an apologetic letter to authors.
As the podcast progresses, Liz discusses the challenges of navigating strategic advocacy, avoiding emotional responses, and addressing extremism within organizations like Moms for Liberty. She emphasizes the broader implications of the movement, touching on the dismantling of systems within the government beyond just school policies.
Liz concludes by sharing personal success stories, including instances where local communities successfully resisted Moms for Liberty initiatives. She highlights the importance of collaboration between advocacy groups and the significance of informing and mobilizing communities to protect public education.
The episode ends with Liz expressing the ongoing efforts and expectations for upcoming elections in 2024, emphasizing the need to counter Moms for Liberty's influence on school boards and policies.
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