June 18, 2025
The THINC Foundation is dedicated to
Transparency, Honesty, and Integrity in the Classroom
Welcome to THINC Foundation’s newsletter! Releasing semi-monthly, it contains our views on key developments in Liberated Ethnic Studies (LES) in K-12 schools as well as relevant news articles and timely calls to action.
Introducing THINC Voices
By Mitch Siegler, Founder
It’s a busy time in the news, but THINC isn’t taking our eye off the ball.
As you watch the domestic reaction to Israel’s war with Iran, keep in mind that many young people were, irresponsibly, taught from an early age that Israel is a colonial, apartheid power whose relationship to Palestinians is directly analogous to America’s historical treatment of black people.
It isn’t, of course – but that mentality drives much of the anti-Israel hostility we’re seeing today.
We’re also pleased to introduce THINC Voices, a series of short videos from students, educators, and thought leaders about the dangers of radical ideology in K-12 education and the benefits of an inclusive/constructive approach.
Our first two, featuring neurologist Dr. Diana Blum and educator Sara Brown are launching this week. In them, Dr. Blum discusses the psychological damage done by the oppressor/oppressed framework, while Sara talks about the antisemitic aspects of liberated curricula.
Click here to watch Diana’s video; Sara’s will publish across our social media channels tomorrow.
Be sure to follow THINC on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see (and share!) these powerful stories – and don’t forget to visit THINC.org for the latest news!
Liberated Ethnic Studies (LES) Activists in Their Own Words
We talk a lot about the LES movement’s extreme positions, but what does that look like in practice? Take a look at these quotes from prominent LES leaders.
"From the apartheid wall in Palestine to the border wall in the U.S., these walls are monuments to colonialism and imperialism. But we know: There can be no legitimate borders on stolen land… You’re either teaching for oppression or you’re teaching for liberation. And you have to pick a side."
- Jesse Hagopian, Editor of Rethinking Schools
“Today’s violence did not begin on Oct. 7…It did not begin with the Holocaust. No. It began with the Zionist movement’s conviction that Palestine should be a Jewish-only country and that Palestinians should disappear.”
- Bill Bigelow, Co-Director of the Zinn Education Project
"We see a small but vocal number of conservative Asian Americans — many of whom are Chinese American… being used to advance a white supremacist cause of ending admissions practices that attempt to remediate institutionalized racism."
-Wayne Au, Editor of Rethinking Schools
These are the values they want in K-12 classrooms across the country.
What We're Reading
New York School District Distributes State Exam Prep That Accuses Israel of ‘Terrorism’ and Calls Zionism ‘Extreme Nationalism’
Reading, Writing, and Racism: The Three R’s of Philly Public Schools
San Francisco school district ditches proposed 'Grading for Equity' strategy after backlash from community
PVUSD board overturns votes related to ethnic studies dispute after complaint alleging violations of state law
THINC in the News
Backlash threatens future of equity grading in public schools
Radical ideology in US schools reminds me of the Cultural Revolution in China
California school-board trustees teach hate, division and hypocrisy
Support our Work
Our continued work depends on the generosity of people like you! Please consider making a contribution to THINC to fund our continued work on Liberated Ethnic Studies in K-12 schools.
THINC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is qualified to receive tax-deductible donations.
