A Bridge Without Water: The Moral Imperative for School Choice in Texas.



A Bridge Without Water: The Moral Imperative for School Choice in Texas.


By Pastor Kyev Tatum, Black Texans, Inc.


As Texas stands at a crossroads in its history, the challenge before us is clear: this is not just a fight for justice; it is a fight for victory—a victory that mirrors the courage of Asa Moses, a Black farmer in Dime Box, Texas, who stood up to a railroad and won more than a century ago.


Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with two brothers from Dime Box—a small town of just 352 residents as of 2025—to discuss the pressing moral issue of our time: school choice. As we shared our visions for how to provide our children with the education they deserve, one brother brought up the inspiring story of Asa Moses. A man who, in 1912, stood up to a powerful railroad corporation and demanded that justice be done. His victory wasn’t just about restoring access to his farm; it was about securing his dignity and his future. His legacy is a direct challenge to us today as we fight for our children’s right to succeed in an educational system that has failed 80% of them.



Just as Moses fought to restore his livelihood, today we are fighting to restore what should be the basic right of every Texan child: access to quality education. The story of Asa Moses is not just history—it’s a clarion call for action in the present. The same spirit of resistance and resilience that empowered Moses to challenge the railroad must now guide our fight for school choice.



The Stark Reality of Educational Disparities


As we discuss the importance of school choice, the reality is stark: educational disparities in Texas continue to devastate Black students. Consider the numbers:

• Third-Grade Reading Proficiency: In Fort Worth ISD, only 21% of Black third-graders meet grade-level reading standards, far below their Hispanic (30%), Asian (46%), and white (62%) peers.

• Statewide Reading Proficiency: Statewide, just 41% of Black fourth-graders meet grade-level reading standards, a modest increase from the previous year but still 7 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic levels.

• National Assessment Scores: National assessments show that only 28% of Black students in Texas meet grade-level standards in math—a 3-percentage-point increase from the prior year, but still 7 percentage points lower than 2019 scores.


These figures are more than statistics—they represent a failing system. For many Black children in Texas, the opportunity to succeed academically is hindered by structural inequities that leave them far behind their peers.



The Legacy of Asa Moses: A Call to Action


Asa Moses’ fight against the railroad is not just a historical event. It is a powerful metaphor for the fight we face today. Just as Moses fought to preserve his land and livelihood, we must fight to preserve the futures of our children. The Moses Livestock Bridge that he won is a symbol of resistance—a victory that united a community against an oppressive system. And today, we must build our own bridge to success: school choice.


The story of Asa Moses is a call to action. It is a reminder that when we stand united, we have the power to dismantle the systems that seek to hold us back. The moral imperative for school choice is not just a political issue—it is a fight for justice. We cannot afford to allow our children to remain trapped in a failing system that doesn’t meet their needs. School choice is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Every child in Texas—regardless of their zip code—deserves the opportunity to succeed in a quality educational environment that nurtures their unique talents and potential.



A Unified Call to Action


The two brothers I spoke with in Dime Box understood this. They recognized that the fight for school choice is not just a fight for their community, but for every child in Texas. Together, we are united in our commitment to challenge the status quo and demand change. School choice is a bridge to a better future—one that ensures all children, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, have access to the education they deserve.


Just as the Dime Box community rallied to preserve the Moses Livestock Bridge, we must now rally together to ensure that every child has access to the education they deserve. School choice offers a pathway to dismantle the inequities entrenched in our current system, ensuring that all children, especially Black children, have the opportunity to succeed.



Conclusion


Asa Moses’ story is more than just a tale from the past—it is a legacy that we must carry forward into the present. The bridge he fought for is a reminder of what is possible when we refuse to accept injustice. Now, it is our turn to fight for our children’s right to thrive. We must stand firm, united, and demand a system that serves all Texans, especially our Black children.


The fight for school choice is our bridge. Like Asa Moses, we must rise up and win it.



Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

Pastor and Mediator

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas

2864 Mississippi Avenue

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817-966-7625 | kptatum1@gmail.com

#BlackTexans #BridgeWithoutWater


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