1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as a deeply concerned citizen to urge you to oppose any federal actions aimed at dismantling desegregation orders across the country, particularly those that remain critical to upholding educational equity in the South and beyond. This week’s dismissal of a long-standing desegregation order in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana by the Department of Justice is a troubling sign. Rather than addressing the continuing racial disparities in education, this move signals a retreat from the federal government’s obligation to protect civil rights and enforce equal access to education for all students. More than 130 school districts—primarily in the South—still remain under desegregation orders. These court-enforced agreements exist because systemic inequality was never fully resolved. Removing them prematurely not only risks resegregation—as has occurred in many districts released from oversight—but also sends the dangerous message that racial equity in education is no longer a national priority. We need stronger, not weaker, enforcement of civil rights in our schools. I urge you to: Speak out against the rollback of desegregation orders. Demand congressional oversight of the Justice Department’s actions in this area. Support legislation that reinforces and expands equitable education practices across the United States. We cannot erase history to make ourselves more comfortable. Doing so denies the lived experiences of millions of students and families and undermines the progress we’ve fought hard to achieve. Thank you for your leadership, and I urge you to take a strong stand in defense of educational justice.