WA Ethnic Studies Now

Behind the Mask: Why Authentic is Under Attack in Washington

Let us call a hustle a hustle.

For a decade, we worked in authentic relationship with Seattle Public Schools communities to build an Ethnic Studies program. Today, that program has been systematically dismantled—its budget stripped, its staff gone.

And right on cue, a special interest group called FAIR is swooping in to fill the vacuum with a distorted, whitewashed curriculum written by white scholars with zero background in the field.

FAIR is actively marketing this corporate, colorblind curriculum to school districts across Washington State. They are weaponizing Dr. King's words to advance anti-intellectualism and win reverse racism lawsuits for cis white men.

True Ethnic Studies is inherently anti-racist. It interrogates systems; it does not give people of color equitable access to Whiteness. We are not letting them co-opt our labor or erase our youth.

Take a stand with . It takes 30 seconds to email the school board and demand they partner with real, state-recognized experts, not conservative grifters.

Read the full expose by Executive Director Dr. Tracy Castro-Gill and take action:

Fighting Back Against FAIR: Why Authentic Ethnic Studies is Under Attack in Seattle and Across Washington State By Dr. Tracy Castro-Gill On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, WAESN’s Executive Director, Dr. Castro-Gill, gave public testimony to the Seattle School Board. This blog post builds on that testimony an…

The WAESN Summer Institute is back for five days of deep, justice-centered professional learning for K–12 educators.

✔️ Limited capacity
✔️ Up to 36 clock hours

If Ethnic Studies is more than a checkbox for you, this is where you need to be.

👉 Register now: https://waethnicstudies.com/product/2026-summer-institute/

2026 Summer Institute A five-day, immersive professional learning experience for K–12 educators committed to teaching Ethnic Studies with integrity and depth. Participants engage with WAESN Modules 1–3, explore pan–Ethn…

Seattle Public Schools has completely dismantled in their district.

Earlier this evening, I, Tracy, gave public testimony to the Board. Below is my testimony.

for more, including calls to action.

My name is Dr. Tracy Castro-Gill. I am the co-founder and Executive Director of Washington Ethnic Studies Now. I am the only Washington-based scholar (that I know of) publishing peer-reviewed research on K–12 Ethnic Studies. I co-authored OSPI’s Ethnic Studies Framework, consulted with the State Board of Education on their Ethnic Studies graduation requirement resolution, and partnered with the Professional Education Standards Board to conduct a pilot to certify K–12 educators in Ethnic Studies pedagogies.

Nearly 10 years ago I was part of a group that successfully lobbied the Board to develop SPS’s Ethnic Studies Program, and I’m here to highlight the fact that the program we worked so hard to build in authentic relationship with SPS communities and students has been completely dismantled and is at risk of being co-opted by a racist organization ironically named the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, or FAIR.

The budget and staff for the Ethnic Studies program was taken away from the program manager, so he left his position. We are left only with the staff and leadership that have actively worked to thwart and dismantle the program since 2017.

Now, we have FAIR hawking their distorted version of Ethnic Studies curriculum written by white scholars who have no background in Ethnic Studies. FAIR uses the stale strategy of quoting Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech to advocate for colorblind ideologies, win lawsuits for cis white men in reverse racism claims, advance Donald Trump’s ban on DEI curriculum and training, and engage in anti-intellectualism calling into question the scholarship of decades of research conducted by Ethnic Studies scholars of color.

I ask the board to partner with and other community organizations that feel the same, including Southeast Seattle Education Coalition and the WA State NAACP Youth Council , to learn about authentic Ethnic Studies, how the State has defined it, and how to guard against the harmful attempts of FAIR.

Early registration ends Sunday!

The WAESN Summer Institute is back for five days of deep, justice-centered professional learning for K–12 educators.

✔️ Early-bird pricing
✔️ Limited capacity
✔️ Up to 36 clock hours

If Ethnic Studies is more than a checkbox for you, this is where you need to be.

👉 Register now: https://waethnicstudies.com/product/2026-summer-institute/

2026 Summer Institute A five-day, immersive professional learning experience for K–12 educators committed to teaching Ethnic Studies with integrity and depth. Participants engage with WAESN Modules 1–3, explore pan–Ethn…

**REPOST**

Credit:

We (WAESN) wanted to share this fantastic, informative resource from our friends at the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition. () Check out their latest guide to learn everything you need to know about the new Seattle Public Schools partnerships process!

Seattle Education Forum: Report Card

A free, community-led gathering designed to bring families, students, and neighbors into authentic conversation face to face with candidates

Last October, we brought candidates into the halls of Rainier Beach High School to reconnect with students, families, and schools, reminding them that education must remain central to their leadership and platform. Now, nearly a full school year after the election, we’re continuing the conversation, this time in community spaces where families and neighbors can gather face-to-face with those same decision makers.

The Seattle Education Forum: Report Card is not a traditional panel or town hall. It is an interactive, community-centered event designed to create space for honest dialogue, transparency, and shared accountability between young people, families and the leaders shaping education policy and investment in our city and state.

A year into leadership, it’s time for a check-in: What have our leaders learned from community feedback? What progress has been made? What challenges remain? And what grade would our community give them so far?

Join families, students, educators, and community members for candid conversations with elected and appointed leaders about the future of our education system. You’ll learn who makes key decisions affecting schools, inform leaders where to go next, and how we can advocate, collaborate, and hold leaders accountable to the promises made to students and families.

This free, family-friendly gathering is designed to share power, strengthen partnerships, and move forward the progress our students and schools deserve. As the city’s first public education-focused forum since the election, the event will also celebrate the end of the school year, graduations, and the collective work of supporting young people in Seattle.

Confirmed participation includes leaders from:

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson
Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors
Seattle City Council Members
State legislators representing Seattle communities
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how decisions are made, where progress is happening, and how your voice can continue shaping the future of education in Seattle.

This event is organized by the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition, Alliance for Education, Black Education Strategy Roundtable, and the League of Education Voters.

Questions? Contact Hong, SESEC marketing and communications coordinator, at [email protected].

Seattle Education Forum: Report Card A free, community-led gathering designed to bring families, students, and neighbors into authentic conversation face to face with candidates

Early registration won’t last — and neither will the open seats.

The WAESN Summer Institute is back for five days of deep, justice-centered professional learning for K–12 educators.

✔️ Early-bird pricing
✔️ Limited capacity
✔️ Up to 36 clock hours

If Ethnic Studies is more than a checkbox for you, this is where you need to be.

👉 Register now: https://waethnicstudies.com/product/2026-summer-institute/

2026 Summer Institute A five-day, immersive professional learning experience for K–12 educators committed to teaching Ethnic Studies with integrity and depth. Participants engage with WAESN Modules 1–3, explore pan–Ethn…

Never Miss a Movement: The New WAESN Events Calendar is Live!

From coastal discovery walks to legislative advocacy sessions and youth-led workshops, there is always something happening at WAESN. But let’s be real—your inbox is a disaster and you’ve got a million things on your plate.

We’ve made it easy for you to stay connected. Our new digital events calendar is officially live! You can now view all our upcoming community events, professional development opportunities, and Youth Power Lab sessions in one place.

The best part? You can subscribe to the calendar and have every WAESN event sync directly to your personal calendar. No more searching for links or wondering when the next WAESN event is happening.

Stay in the loop and subscribe today: https://waethnicstudies.com/eventscalendar/

Events from June 7 – August 3 – Washington Ethnic Studies Now A Washington where youth-led, community-rooted Ethnic Studies shapes schools and public life, taught and practiced by anti-racist educators and partners across the state.

Help us welcome one of our newest to the WAESN team: ✨Rona Eslamy! ✨

Rona grew up in Seattle and is a recent graduate from the UW, majoring in Gender, Women, and Sexuality studies, and minoring in Education and Labor studies. In their free time Rona enjoys cooking, gardening, collaging and exploring Seattle parks.

They're excited to support WAESN's Youth Power Lab program as students build their advocacy and community building skills!
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Make sure to register for the YOUTH POWER LAB today via the link in our bio or swipe to scan the QR code!

Have Questions or need help registering? Contact: [email protected]
http:[email protected]

Curiosity & Crustaceans: Unveiling Our Newest Member Appreciation Event
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Date : Sat, June 13th, 2026

Location : Golden Gardens Beach

Who : YOU 🫵🏽, WAESN, and our wonderful guest guide Alma Ramiro Alonzo!

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Register today via the link in our bio, OR scan the QR code!

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Note: Any specific event questions for our guide, Alma, will be forwarded!