TX School Libraries under Threat; UPS Teamsters Question New Contract; Russian Socialist

On Pacifica’s Capitalism, Race & Democracy
Texas School Libraries under Threat; UPS Teamsters Question New Contract; Russian Socialist Academic Arrested; Dr Mutulu Shakur Presente!

Houston HAS A PROBLEM! The newly appointed superintendent of Mike Miles of the state’s largest school district – Houston ISD has authorized a number of sweeping changes without the input of the community or teachers who live in the city. The state of Texas initially took over the entire district of 276 schools due to one underperforming school (post Covid).

Houston Independent School District contains 276 schools and 196,943 students. The district’s enrollment is 90% BIPOC and approximately 59% of students live in economically distressed areas.

On Saturday, elected officials including Congressman Al Green and Mayor Sylvester Turner, community leaders, activists, teachers and parents, held a rally outside of HISD’s central office to protest the States of Texas’ decision to convert libraries into detention centers, or a New Education System (NES) term called “team centers.” Jeremy Eugene of Community Voices for Public Education sheds light on what people parents are saying on the ground.

Jessica Campos, a parent activist from Houston, TX, attended the rally on Saturday to raise her voice against the abrupt takeover of schools in Spanish speaking neighborhoods, and the removal of the dual language program. Why did all teachers at her children’s school quit their jobs after being required to reapply? Campos explains.

During a Houston City Council meeting Mayor Sylvester Turner questioned the change stating, “I’ve always been a strong proponent of libraries — especially in schools, in neighborhoods where kids are challenged for a number or reasons. When you close the libraries you have gone too far.” Reportedly, the appointed superintendent Mike Miles responded in an open letter inviting the Mayor to join him the first week of school to see the “unique attributes of his model and its ability to support student achievement.”

Meanwhile, local leaders, parents, and teachers vow to continue the fight for students to have access to libraries and librarians to improve the educational outcomes of the children.

According to the Houston Chronicle, “The Houston ISD state appointed board of managers unanimously voted in June 2023, to approve Superintendent Mike Miles’ $2.2 billion budget for the upcoming school year and fully backed his proposal to suspend board policy on magnet programs as well as every other item on the meeting agenda.”

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Boris Kagarlitsky is an internationally renowned academic and socialist living in Russia. He is a professor at the Moscow Higher School of Economics and head of the Moscow think tank, The Institute for Globalization and Social Movements. Authorities in Russia arrested him recently on charges of “justifying terrorism,” based on his discussion about the motivations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their attack on the Crimea Bridge in October.

Henry Reichman is a professor at California State University, East Bay and a member of the American Association of University Professors. He spoke about Kagarlitsky’s case to Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer.

Read Professor Reichman’s post here: https://academeblog.org/2023/07/28/defend-boris-kagarlitsky/

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Three hundred and forty thousand United Parcel Service Teamsters will be voting on a new proposed contract. UPS part-time worker Jose Negrete and Teamster National Vice President John Palmer talked about the contract with Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer.

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Former political prisoner and life-long revolutionary Dr. Mutulu Shakur transitioned on July 7. We close this week’s show with a commentary by journalist and political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal in honor of Dr. Shakur. It was recorded by Prison Radio.

And that concludes today’s edition of Capitalism, Race & Democracy. We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by Akua Holt, Steve Zeltzer, and Polina Vasiliev.

Thanks for listening.

Music:

Dee Dee Bridgewater “Children are the Spirit of the World” recorded in 1978 featuring George Duke and Stanley Clark

Gil Scott Heron SAVE THE CHILDREN

Roy Ayers feat. Erykah Badu – Everybody Loves The Sunshine

Kumasi Washington “TRUTH'”