A compelling appeal for mandatory anti-communist education in Texas public schools emerged from an unexpected source - the father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
According to the Texas Tribune, Rafael Cruz, an 85-year-old right-wing pastor, testified before a Texas Senate committee on Tuesday, advocating for legislation that would require schools to teach students about communist movements and their victims.
Cruz's testimony supported Senate Bill 24, which aims to implement mandatory education about communism for students from fourth through 12th grade. The bill, which has already advanced through the Senate education committee, would require schools to cover communist movements within the United States and examine historical events tied to communist regimes worldwide.
Rafael Cruz's anti-communist stance stems from his personal history in Cuba during the 1950s. He experienced imprisonment and torture while opposing Fulgencio Batista, a dictator who maintained a complex relationship with communist forces. Cruz initially supported Fidel Castro but changed his position after Castro's communist declaration in 1959.
The pastor has since become a prominent advocate for Christian dominionism, promoting the belief that Christians should control all aspects of society. His ideology directly opposes what he perceives as a communist infiltration of American institutions, particularly in education.
During his testimony, Cruz expressed strong concerns about what he views as communist influence in modern education. He specifically targeted Critical Race Theory, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and alleged a communist presence in college faculties.
The proposed legislation aligns with recent efforts by conservative Christians to increase religious presence in public education. Texas lawmakers have already implemented several faith-based initiatives, including mandatory "In God We Trust" signs and the introduction of religious chaplains in schools.
These changes reflect a broader movement among conservative Christians who view such measures as essential to combat what they perceive as moral decline. Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have encouraged these efforts, leading to more aggressive pushes for religious integration in public institutions.
The bill has gained significant support, with eight out of eleven committee members co-sponsoring it. It represents one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's priority initiatives for the current legislative session.
The Texas proposal mirrors Florida's existing law mandating anti-communist education in public schools. The Florida legislation received bipartisan support despite criticism from some Democrats who noted the irony of requiring such lessons while restricting other areas of education.
Federal action has also emerged on this front. The U.S. House passed legislation in December offering optional educational materials about communism and totalitarianism to high schools, demonstrating the national scope of these educational initiatives.
Rafael Cruz emphasized his position with strong words about the current state of education:
In many instances our classrooms are failing us, because they're following an agenda. It is not our agenda. It is a communist agenda that has, like tentacles, immersed itself into our education system. So we need to retrieve our educational system from that evil agenda.
Rafael Cruz, father of Senator Ted Cruz, presented his testimony supporting Senate Bill 24 to the Texas Senate committee, pushing for mandatory anti-communist education in public schools. The bill, which has already cleared the Senate education committee, would require Texas schools to teach students about communist movements and their impacts, both domestically and internationally. As the bill moves to the Senate floor for a full vote, it represents a significant step in the ongoing effort to implement an anti-communist curriculum in American education systems.
