Title: Dangers of School Vouchers in Tennessee

Episode 22- Liv Cook

Peggy sits down with Liv Cook, head public education organizer for SOCM (Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment).

We primarily discuss the impact of school vouchers on Tennessee. Cook explains that SOCM, a 52-year-old organization, focuses on public education, housing rights, and community development. She argues that vouchers, despite being marketed as parent choice, are rooted in segregation and benefit wealthy families. Cook cites examples from Arizona and Florida, where vouchers have led to significant financial and educational issues. She emphasizes the need for grassroots action to oppose vouchers, highlighting the potential negative impacts on rural and working-class communities, and calls for community engagement and legislative advocacy.

Highlights:

Overview of SOCM and Its History (1:31)

Misconceptions About School Vouchers (2:54)

Lessons from Other States with Voucher Programs (6:38)

Impact of Vouchers on Rural and Urban Communities (12:10)

Call to Action and Community Engagement (30:31)

More about SOCM:

https://www.socm.org/publiceducation

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About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents.

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co