They are anti-public, they are anti governance, they are anti-labor unions, they are anti-worker, they are anti-public education. They want states to divest in all public works.
—Professor Bethany Letiecq
Dear Pledge Listeners,
I’m excited to share today’s episode of The Pledge, the first of two stories that explore the threat of dark money to higher education and to our democracy. In this episode, we learn how Bethany Letiecq persevered through her struggles as a teenager, got a PhD, and now devotes her research and her activism to fighting for justice for marginalized communities. She also refuses to ignore the growing but hidden influence of dark money at George Mason University in Virginia where she teaches. The next episode will feature a student who has worked with Bethany on the same issue. These two women just blow me away with their energy and dedication to taking on powerful forces to protect academic integrity. I am sure you will be similarly inspired!
This issue was a real eye-opener for me. Not too long ago my friend invited me to an evening with Nancy MacLean, author of Democracy in Chains, which I highly recommend - in ADDITION to listening! I started to get an understanding of how nefarious the Koch brothers’ and other libertarians’ strategy of taking over higher education is, and why it’s such a threat to our democracy. I also learned about how people were fighting back. UnKoch My Campus is one of the leading organizations supporting universities around the country, so I worked with them to help find the amazing activists featured in these episodes.. Please listen, share, and let me know what you think! I have also posted resources on my website if you would like to learn more.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to learn from these inspiring activists, tell their stories, and have people like you listen. Thank you to all my Pledge listeners for your support and for all of the encouraging feedback and financial contributions I have received. I hope this Thanksgiving brings you a moment of gratitude for what’s best about our country, the amazing people taking action all around us, and an opportunity for reflection on what you can do to keep things moving forward.
Stay strong and stick with your pledge!
Allison