Dallas, Texas-based group purporting to be a social justice organization posted an open letter on their website to white Democrats in the city’s wealthiest districts that urged them to sign a pledge that they won’t send their kids to Ivy League schools.
A group calling itself Dallas Justice Now posted the “College Pledge” letter that demanded white residents of wealthier areas, such as the Highland Park Independent School District, “pledge that your children will not apply or attend any Ivy League School.” The letter says that such residents should “back up your words” instead of just posting “Black Lives Matter” yard signs and Facebook posts. Representatives with the group either declined or did not return Newsweek‘s several requests Tuesday to discuss whether organizers are in support of social justice matters or were simply criticizing White Democrats in Dallas.
“We understand that you are white and live within the Highland Park District and thus benefit from enormous privileges taken at the expense of communities of color,” reads the Dallas Justice Now letter, first obtained by numerous right-wing news outlets.
The letter claimed that white, wealthy Dallas parents should withhold their kids from America’s top 50 colleges so that Black children would have an opportunity to take their place.
“These schools have afforded white families privilege for generations,” the letter continued, offering seething criticism of white liberals in the Dallas area.
“You live in the whitest and wealthiest neighborhood in Dallas. Whether you know it or not, you earned or inherited your money through oppressing people of color. However, it is also our understanding that you are a Democrat and supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement which makes you one of our white allies and puts you in a position to correct these cruel injustices.”
A representative from a group called “Sideline” responded, but declined to say who the organizers of the group are, although a woman supposedly named Jamila is listed on the Dallas Justice Now Facebook page.
“We know this sounds like a tough commitment to make. But it is truly disheartening to see wealthy white folks sending charitable donations, posting #BlackLivesMatter on social media, or putting up yard signs as if to say that minimal effort is all they are prepared to do in the fight for racial justice,” Dallas Justice Now wrote in the flyer and on their website.
The Highland Park Independent School District did not answer Newsweek‘s request for comment.