Censorship for teachers and their curriculum
Abstract
More and more teachers are being told what they can and cannot say and teach. Subject deemed as Anti-American are being frowned upon and even banned in certain states. These limits on knowledge are not only limiting what children learn but are interfering with their ability to have an open-mindset that is accepting of people of all walks of life, a mind that is peaceful and in turn, a world that is more peaceful.
The Research
“Since January 2021, researcher Jeffrey Sachs says, 35 states have introduced 137 bills limiting what schools can teach with regard to race, American history, politics, sexual orientation and gender identity.”(Terry, 2022). Teachers can now held legally responsible for promoting adolescents exploring their gender identity, pronouns or even talking about gender equity. Educators are being forced to teach the Christian religion in the classroom while simultaneously denoting other religions which directly is in violation of the constitution, which ensures the church and the state should be separate. Kids are growing up not knowing anything other than capitalism and American values. They are told nothing about other forms of government and ways of thinking.
“His(Trump) platform includes threatening schools and educators with civil rights investigations and funding cuts if they teach topics related to Structural Racism and LGBTQ+ identities. He also supports teaching the Christian Religion in classrooms” (Parshall, 2024).
“The number of books banned in public schools nearly tripled in the 2023–2024 school year compared with the previous year.”(Parshall, 2024) Books on the ban list include, dystopian books discussing political reform, books promoting individual thought about politics, religion or styles of government, promoting gender equity and books spreading racial and ethnic culture and diversity. America is often referred to as a melting pot, since we have such a broad range of ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, religions and values in our country; all of which are being ‘banned’ along with these books. Governor Younkin has openly supported the banning of books, but has so far been mostly unsuccessful due to the checks and balances of the other sectors of Virginia’s legislative body.
Stance
Young minds that are growing and evolving everyday, need the chance to see themselves in their classrooms through the literature they read, the content they hear and the history their learn. Children need to know they have a place in our society and that are worthy of being taught, seen and heard. A book is the most powerful weapon against intolerance and education the death of ignorance. SAN recognizes that education is an integral part of our countries future. The mindsets of our young are being developed as we speak and we must ask ourselves the question; Do I was the future generation to be intolerant of people different than them or do I want them to embrace everyone’s individuality and love people simple for their humanity? The fight for non-censored, non-partisan education is more than a fight against indoctrination, it is a fight for a better tomorrow. Trumps regime intends to make tomorrow a place where LQGTQ people are indoctrinated by the Christian church, where people of color are seen as less than worthy of respect, and a tomorrow that is more full of hate and oppression than we have seen in this county for decades.