Dear John,

Today, a coalition of groups that advocate for our neighborhood schools, including the Texas Freedom Network, officially launched the #TeachTheTruth campaign.

#TeachTheTruth is a rallying cry you have seen TFN use before. It has taken on new urgency.

Across the state, self-interested politicians and ill-intentioned activists groups have in recent months led efforts to ban books and censor classroom lessons they don't like. Their main targets are books and lessons that reflect the experiences of LGBTQ people or tell hard truths about our nation's troubled history of discrimination.

That's why we've formed the Teach the Truth coaltion. Together, we'll respond as best as possible to these anti-education attacks that have taken place at the Texas Legislature or perhaps at a school district near you. More are likely on the way. And we can also expect to see them at the Texas State Board of Education this year when its members consider a rewrite of state social studies standards that include history.

So I invite you to watch today's launch event and to visit our #TeachTheTruth info center where you can officially join this campaign, report an issue that impacts your community, and more.

We will not stand by as our history, the stories of Black and brown communities, and the experiences of LGBTQ people are dismissed, devalued, and erased from public education. We never have and we never will.

As a parent, as a Texan, and as a community member, I urge you to join our movement to Teach the Truth today.

In unity,

Val Benavidez
TFN President