What does David mean by “Parental Rights”?
Parental Rights has become somewhat of a dog whistle these days, so what does it really mean? Parents are looking to secure their existing rights, not introduce new ones.
David’s platform holds that parents and/or legal guardians are the primary care and decision makers of their own children. The district asks us to trust them, and we want to. However, the district also needs to first trust the parents, that we have the best interests of our children at heart, it must be a partnership.
There should never be conversations held between the district and a child, about a child’s struggles with identity or gender dysphoria without first involving the parents to decide on approach. David believes that as a district, we can develop a procedure and process that includes a sensitive approach, looking out for the needs and values of the families in order to help our students.
“What is David’s stand on Inclusion, Equity and Diversity?”
Answer: As an immigrant, David is a strong proponent of the diversity of peoples, culture, ideas and including them into the American dream as a foundational framework, making sure that everyone and all have equal opportunity. David believes that the success of the United States with innovation, science, technology, and industry can be directly attributed to the cultivating of ideas.
“What about book banning?”
Answer: David is against banning of books as a principle. When sexually explicit and divisive content was discovered in Lindbergh Schools’ libraries and lesson plans, the concern was to protect students from explicit and divisive materials that are not age appropriate and/or allowed by certain parents. David believes books should be age appropriate, have educational value, and be respectful of the freedom of conscience and of all community values. With proper cataloging and labeling, books can remain accessible to everyone as permitted which shows sensitivity to the values and beliefs students and their families hold.
“What is David’s stand on CRT (Critical Race Theory)?“
To answer this question, we first need to define what the framework of the question is about. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of CRT is:
“Central to Critical Race Theory is the idea that many institutions are built on and enforce systemic racism and oppression of people of color, that this racism and oppression have a long history in the US and the world (including slavery and its legacy), and that they are ongoing and driven by white supremacy.
As an academic, intellectual, or philosophical discipline or school or thought, Critical Race Theory is broad and encompasses the discussion and use of many related concepts and terms, such as implicit bias, intersectionality, and white privilege.”
David does not support the application of CRT being taught as a lens or otherwise. This is not to suggest that there are no issues in our society. However, applying a lens of race, so that our children view different skin color as “oppressor” or “oppressed” is wrong and divisive. David believes that all people are afforded equal rights under the civil rights act and wants to focus on unity, and belonging, making sure that all children are welcomed, just as David and his family experienced, as a diverse and immigrant family.
What about teaching real history?
Answer: David’s platform supports teaching a full, truthful, and honest history without compromise. The key to understanding history, is to objectively analyze it, with the context of the respective time, culture, and society, in order to gain a fuller understanding to learn from.
Do ALL of David’s children go to Lindbergh Schools?
To be transparent, those who disagree with David’s values are trying to drag his children into the campaign as political pawns, and that is unacceptable and should not happen to any candidate. David had four children in the school district, one graduated last year, and one is currently a junior in high school. As such, David is fully invested and as much a stakeholder and part of our district as any other besides also being 11 years a resident, being on committees, and volunteering, David continues to invest back. As a Father, David had to make a hard choice this year, to pull his two younger children out of the district because our elementary is no longer meeting quality academic needs like they used to. Our hope is that we can return to that place and be a welcoming district for all. David is running for our district because he wants to see a positive change and a return to academic excellence for all.