A video from 2021 has resurfaced, featuring Jessica Anderson, the current Democrat candidate for Virginia's House of Delegates District 71, making controversial statements about parental involvement in their children's education.
In the video, Anderson claimed that parents who want to exercise their parental rights and be involved in their children's education are trying to "indoctrinate" the youth.
Anderson's exact words were, "I'm sorry but I've seen some of the parents that live in Virginia. You should not be dictating what your daughters and sons curriculum looks like. If you want to do that, there is a thing called homeschool. Indoctrinate them there, but not in my kids' public school." She concluded the video by urging everyone to vote for Terry McAuliffe for Governor.
Anderson has since responded to the claims that she called her parents "crazy." In a statement to Fox News Digital, Anderson said, "I would never state that as someone who loves my students and their families in this community. As a mom to three daughters, two of which are still in public school, I absolutely believe we should be able to question our students' education, push back if necessary, and have an active role in the education process."
Anderson said, "I have always advocated for that publicly and privately. I support EVERY parent, every step of the way. I've also seen incredible communication between our teachers and parents in my district, when concerns arise."
Anderson clarified that her point in the video was that singular parent should not dictate the entire structure of the curricula that all students are being taught.
She emphasized that just as many parents who disagree with her views or perspectives on specific topics in school would feel disenfranchised if she could decide what their child was taught without their say.
The video responded to Terry McAuliffe's statements about parental involvement in schools. In a debate, McAuliffe said, "I don't think parents should be telling schools what they should teach."
Later in the same discussion, Glenn Youngkin challenged McAuliffe about a bill he vetoed that gave parents more information about what "sexually explicit material" was in their children's library.
McAuliffe responded, "I'm not going to let parents come into schools, and actually take books out, and make their own decision."
Login