| Under the banner of "parental rights," a loud contingent of activists have seized the mic and the momentum in the debate over how we teach American history and diversity in public education. They are demanding that school curriculums not offend White people, insisting that "the good" of slavery and "opposing" views of the Holocaust be given equal time in classrooms, and banning books about subjects deemed "inappropriate." News accounts of meetings and protests have largely shown those opposed to such restrictions being shouted down, threatened and chased out of buildings and parking lots by angry mobs. Our colleague Annie Gowen, a reporter on The Washington Post's national desk, puts the spotlight on a group of women who are organizing to raise their voices and perspectives in the ongoing debate over how we teach the past and present story of our country. And while we're on the subject, Gillian Brockell, who anchors the Retropolis history blog, writes about how Florida officials' efforts to block uncomfortable themes in school curriculums collides with the state's history of racial violence and injustice. Also in this edition, an essay adapted from a new book by author and commentator Wajahat Ali takes on an insult that is often hurled at immigrants and their children. Thank you for reading.  From left, leaders Julie Collins, Katie Paris and Julie Womacks of Red Wine and Blue, a group of about 300,000 liberal suburban moms. (Maddie McGarvey for The Washington Post) "We believe it's time to get off defense. Why should we be the ones explaining ourselves? This is not why we moved to the suburbs. We moved to the suburbs for high-quality schools," said Katie Paris, founder of Red Wine and Blue. By Annie Gowen ● Read more » | | |  A cabin is intentionally burned in the African American town of Rosewood, Fla., on Jan. 4, 1923. (State Archives of Florida) Republican lawmakers want to allow parents to sue schools that cause students "discomfort, guilt or anguish." Here are five uncomfortable episodes from Florida history. By Gillian Brockell ● Read more » | | |  (undefined) Wajahat Ali, an author and commentator, writes: "I am about as American as chicken korma, apple pie and chai, but even after 40 years I'm still told to 'go back.' " Perspective ● By Wajahat Ali ● Read more » | | | |
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