In a recent interview on “Life, Liberty & Levin,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, discussed the GOP’s efforts to connect with voters and navigate the inner workings of Washington, D.C. However, a new development has shed light on a controversial investment made by Democratic Congressman Colin Allred, who is challenging Cruz for his Senate seat. Allred allocated $1 million in taxpayer funds to Big Thought, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization that promotes racial equity teachings to 4-year-olds and incorporates Black Lives Matter curriculum into youth classrooms.
In his public request for funding, Allred emphasized that Big Thought serves over 100,000 youth annually. The organization aims to introduce topics of race and gender into grade school curriculums, advocating for “racial equity and identity” teachings at an early age. One of their online learning partners, “Andi Boi,” is a play about a transgender child that aims to educate students about gender identity and transitioning. The play is recommended for students in grades 7 to 12.
Controversy surrounding Big Thought arose when it shared a Facebook post in 2020 featuring a young person suggesting that “America should be spelled with three K’s since their favorite hobby is collecting black bodies.” The organization responded by expressing hope for national change and healing. Another post shared by Big Thought stated that the country is grounded in a “white supremacist system.” These incidents have raised concerns about the organization’s messaging and agenda.
Furthermore, Big Thought actively promotes LGBTQ and gender teachings, advertising articles such as “The Best LGBTQ+ Influencer Accounts in North Texas” on its website. The organization collaborates with EmbraceRace, teaching that children as young as five or six have already started categorizing people based on social norms, leading to prejudice.
Colin Allred has shown support for Big Thought on multiple occasions, praising the organization’s work in securing federal funding and helping students catch up academically after the pandemic. He appointed Byron Sanders, the CEO and president of Big Thought, to serve on his advisory committee in 2021. Sanders, a vocal advocate of defunding the police, has also opposed legislation banning critical race theory (CRT) in schools, claiming it hampers progress towards a more equitable society.
Critics argue that Allred’s support for an organization that promotes controversial ideologies and engages in defunding the police rhetoric raises questions about his priorities and alignment with the values of his constituents. The allocation of taxpayer money to Big Thought, which incorporates divisive teachings into youth education, has drawn attention from the community.
Neither Allred’s congressional office nor his campaign have responded to requests for comment regarding this matter. As the 2024 campaign trail unfolds, developments like these continue to shape the political landscape, sparking debates about the role of government funding and the promotion of certain ideologies in education.
