Mike Lawler criticizes Mamdani administration’s use of influencers
Representative Mike Lawler recently appeared on ‘Saturday in America’ to express his concerns regarding a local administration’s initiative to create a network of social media influencers aimed at promoting its goals. He highlighted the potential consequences of these policies for business owners in New York and discussed his bipartisan proposal to establish a 9/11 historical curriculum in schools across the country.
The Texas Board of Education has finalized revisions to the high school social studies curriculum, a decision that has stirred controversy over its approach to teaching about Islam and Christianity. This modification, which encompasses U.S. history, government, and world geography, followed public testimony from numerous individuals, many of whom voiced their disapproval of the finalized curriculum.
The board has adopted language that suggests “radical Islam” was the motive behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, rather than focusing solely on the specific terrorist groups implicated. The updated curriculum also mandates that students study early Islamic history, including Prophet Muhammad’s military actions against Jewish and Christian tribes, the normalization of slavery, and the seizure of women as “harem slaves.”
Despite objections from several Democratic board members, the Republican-majority board approved these amendments during a recent meeting. Muslim organizations, students, and numerous curriculum experts expressed their opposition to the changes.
Habiiba Quresh, a 15-year-old Muslim student, conveyed her feelings of alienation to the board: “I feel attacked, as if my religion doesn’t belong,” she stated. “I shouldn’t have to defend my religion in the middle of history class because of one sentence someone on this board wrote.”
At least three curriculum experts appointed by the board raised concerns about the new language introduced. Andrea Hutchison, a social studies curriculum coordinator for Prosper ISD, criticized the materials for lacking historical credibility. Additionally, Robert Koons, a philosophy professor from UT-Austin, noted that most nonreligious scholars find the sources of these claims unreliable, warning against incorporating content that isn’t grounded in established secular scholarship.
The Texas branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the board’s decision, arguing that it unfairly targets and misrepresents Islam, downplays slavery’s harsh realities, and overlooks Palestinian history. In a joint statement, they proclaimed that no reputable historian supports the negative portrayals of Islam included in this curriculum, and even the board’s own experts highlighted that it fails to withstand historical scrutiny. They emphasized that Texas students, regardless of their backgrounds, deserve an education that reflects the truth about history and their neighbors.
In defense of the revised standards, State Board of Education Chair Aaron Kinsey countered the criticisms, arguing that opponents had exaggerated the divisiveness of the topics. He maintained that board members collaboratively made informed decisions reflecting their constituents’ needs and believed they had performed commendably overall.
Meanwhile, Republican board member Julie Pickren expressed pride in the curriculum’s approval, stating that her efforts over the past decade to shape this social studies law had culminated in this significant milestone. The updated curriculum is slated to be implemented in classrooms starting in the 2030-31 school year.
