By Susan Chamlin
and Ann Schaffer
On Feb. 7, 1994, a meeting was held in White Plains by supporters of the radical right who are proponents of classroom prayer, the teaching of creationism, abstinence-only sex education
and book censorship. The meeting encouraged the audience to follow the speaker's motto: "Why plan when you can scheme" when dealing with school board issues. The speaker was Karen lacovelli, co-chair of the Westchester Taxpayer's Alliance's Education Committee. She also advised residents, "Don't intimidate and don't give yourself away." This viewpoint, parallel to a national pattern used by the radical right to subvert democratic processes, prompted a group of 31 organizations to form The Westchester Coalition for Democracy.
An example of this pattern is the radical right's support for "stealth" candidates in school board elections. Such candidates share the views of the radical right but do not reveal them until after the elections. In some school board elections nationally, the rallying call for taxpayer relief has unmasked an underlying radical right agenda.
Because school board elections draw so few voters, citizens in some areas of the country, such as Colorado and California, have discovered too late that their school boards have become dominated by people whose views they strongly oppose. Determined not to let that happen in Westchester, WCD is working hard to expand the information available to residents about their school board candidates. In the last election, we sent 158 questionnaires to candidates in 39 school districts and published the responses in 17 voter guides that were widely distributed.
WCD is a nonpartisan coalition of groups and individuals dedicated to upholding democracy and the constitutional rights of all people. Its mission is to educate and inform the Westchester community about local activities that support or threaten constitutional rights, especially those that affect public education. Its members support diversity and tolerance in the areas of intellectual freedom, public education, arts and culture, civil and personal liberties, minority rights, reproductive choice and religious freedom.
WCD membership is diverse. Some of our members are particularly concerned that mandating prayer in the public school and the teaching of creationism in the classroom violate the constitutional requirement separating church and state. Some are especially interested in the teaching of multiculturalism and of comprehensive sexuality education. Some are primarily concerned with issues of intellectual freedom and the presentation of First Amendment rights. All members, however, believe that tolerance and a respect for diversity should be maintained in public schools.
WCD wants the views of all school board candidates to be known before the elections so that voters can make informed decisions when casting their ballots. WCD itself does not endorse or oppose any candidate for any public office. We invite additional organizations and individuals who support this effort to join our coalition.
WHO WE
The Westchester Coalition for Democracy comprises these leftist Abortion advocacy groups: AIDS-Related Community Services; The American Jewish Committee - Westchester. Chapter; American Jewish Congress - Westchester Division; AntiDefamation League, New York Region; B'nai B'rith Women - North East Region; Catholics or a Free Choice; Ethical Culture Society of Westchester; Gray Panthers of Westchester Inc.; The LOFT: Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center Inc.; National Association of Social Workers - Westchester Division-, National Council of Jewish Women - Greater Westchester Section;National Council of Jewish Women - Northern Westchester Section; Older Women's League of Westchester; People for the American Way Action Fund; People for Public Education; Planned Parenthood of Westchester and Rockland Inc.; Presbyterian Peace Fellowship; ProChoice Resource Center Inc.; Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; Westchester Committee for' Public Education and Religious 'Liberty Inc.; Westchester ChapterNew York Civil Liberties Union;Westchester Clergy and Laity Concerned; Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion Inc.; Westchester Community Opportunity Program Inc.; Westchester Hispanic Coalition Inc.;Westchester National Organization for Women; Westchester People's Action Coalition; Westchester Region of Hadassah; Westchester Region, NAACP; Women of Reform Judaism: District3; YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester.
Address: Planned Parenthood Headquarters 175 Tarrytown Road, White Plains, N.Y. 10607-1616.
No: Phone: 428-9499. Fax: 948-5533.
The writers are co-chairs of the Westchester Coalition for Democracy.
The Westchester Coalition for Democracy is working hard to expand the information available to residents about their school board candidates.