The Abington Township Human Relations Commission (HRC) released a statement today opposing the Trump administration’s Executive Order titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling“, which was published yesterday.
The order claims that “parents have witnessed schools indoctrinate their children in radical, anti-American ideologies while deliberately blocking parental oversight” in recent years.
The order continues:
Such an environment operates as an echo chamber, in which students are forced to accept these ideologies without question or critical examination. In many cases, innocent children are compelled to adopt identities as either victims or oppressors solely based on their skin color and other immutable characteristics. In other instances, young men and women are made to question whether they were born in the wrong body and whether to view their parents and their reality as enemies to be blamed. These practices not only erode critical thinking but also sow division, confusion, and distrust, which undermine the very foundations of personal identity and family unity.
Imprinting anti-American, subversive, harmful, and false ideologies on our Nation’s children not only violates longstanding anti-discrimination civil rights law in many cases, but usurps basic parental authority. For example, steering students toward surgical and chemical mutilation without parental consent or involvement or allowing males access to private spaces designated for females may contravene Federal laws that protect parental rights, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and sex-based equality and opportunity, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Similarly, demanding acquiescence to “White Privilege” or “unconscious bias,” actually promotes racial discrimination and undermines national unity.
“This order undermines the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion by imposing restrictions on how history, social justice, and identity are taught in schools,” the HRC wrote. “It represents an alarming attempt to limit education on systemic inequities and the lived experiences of marginalized communities, contradicting both the mission of the HRC and the foundational values set forth in Ordinance No. 2175.”
Their post continues:
The HRC was established to ensure that every individual in our community is treated with dignity and respect, free from discrimination. Our schools are an extension of the larger Abington Township community, shaping the values, perspectives, and understanding of future generations. What happens in our classrooms directly impacts the inclusivity and cohesion of our township as a whole. Our mission is to promote understanding and inclusion, which includes supporting educational environments where students can learn about diverse perspectives and histories. The executive order seeks to erase or distort essential discussions about race, gender, and social justice, effectively silencing the voices of historically underrepresented groups and restricting educators from teaching an accurate and comprehensive curriculum.
Education should empower students with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue about the world around them. By prohibiting discussions on systemic inequities and limiting inclusive curricula, this order sets a dangerous precedent that denies students the opportunity to understand the complexities of history and the ongoing struggles for equality.
This action is not about preventing “radical indoctrination”—it is about restricting academic freedom and stifling conversations necessary for an informed and just society. Censorship of these discussions only serves to deepen divisions and prevent meaningful progress toward equity and inclusion.
The HRC stands firmly against this executive order and any policies that hinder the ability of educators to teach truthfully and comprehensively. We call on local leaders, educators, and community members to reject these restrictive measures and advocate for a curriculum that reflects the diverse and multifaceted history of our nation.
As we continue our work, the HRC remains committed to fostering and supporting inclusive learning spaces that supplement educational experiences, ensuring all individuals, especially our youth, have opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives and contribute to a society that values equity, justice, and respect for all.
On Thursday, January 23, the AHRC responded to the White House’s executive order titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing“, which revokes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government.
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