As a seventh-generation Texan, when I say that I love Texas as much as anybody, I know that means a great deal more than many. For me, it is personally heartbreaking to learn that an ultraconservative group of activists — led, until recently, by a Bryan, TX, dentist — has marshaled curriculum changes to history and civics textbook that will be widely adopted throughout the nation. Texas conservatives are even messing with Texas! The Texas State of Board of Education rejected an amendment that would have detailed the contributions of Tejano soldiers who fell defending the Alamo — in particular the men led by the great Tejano hero Juan Seguín.

While Texas Republicans recommend creating space in high school curricula for conservative pundit Phyllis Schlafly, they suggest striking Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (!) from the records. The prevailing educational winds from Texas are hostile to minority historical figures, to say the least. This climate makes the work of groups like the Pearl Coalition all the more important.