Lawmaker Confronts Education Chief’s Lack of Knowledge on Tulsa Tragedy

During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon faced sharp questioning regarding her department's budget and educational priorities. Rep. Summer Lee pressed McMahon about the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, a pivotal event in American history. McMahon's response suggested a lack of familiarity with the topic, as she paused before saying she would need to investigate further. Lee highlighted the potential conflict between teaching Black history and the administration's DEI policies. Despite McMahon's assertion that teaching African history could fit within a comprehensive history curriculum, Lee expressed confusion about what “both sides” of African American history entailed. The hearing underscored concerns about how the current administration's anti-DEI stance could reshape historical education in schools. The White House also seeks to reduce the Education Department's budget significantly, raising alarms about its impact on low-income families.