In a world where education is the beacon of enlightenment, a disturbing reality threatens to undermine the progress of proper representation in the school system. Unveiling the alarming trend of censorship in schools is necessary to ensure efforts are being made to repair these gaping holes in education.
The most recent example of this abuse of power, is Florida’s ban on parts of the AP Psychology curriculum that addresses gender and sexual orientation. Though after much public dismay, this course may still be able to be taught in its entirety, the real issue stems from the fact that such deprivation of learning could ever be supported. Nowadays, students, especially teenagers, are on a journey of self-discovery, and for schools to attempt to influence something completely normal and out of their control showcases a desire for unrestrained control–a desire that, unfortunately, is being granted.
This is not the first time Florida has been on display regarding such issues. Earlier this year, Florida’s Department of Education rejected an Advanced Placement (AP) course about African American studies. Their reasoning was that this would cause students to develop a “political agenda” far beyond what the average student needs to know.
Such limitations on free expression and knowledge creates a generation of students who are unable to turn to the educational system for answers. They spend their whole lives being influenced by their educators, but without proper representation schools are hindering their progress as members of society. They are being deprived of access to classes they can utilize to better relate to their peers, or find comfort in themselves.
This attempt to deny students exposure to such topics is furthered through more frequent book bans across the country. The topics that are seeing an escalation in removal are those of race, gender, history, and LGBTQ+ orientations. Trying to decline students’ freedom to research and understand such topics is a desperate and ridiculous way of attempting to hide the truth from those who need it most. This is a goal that cannot be achieved, but continuous efforts to do so are making it more difficult to discover the realities of the world.
These restrictions on what is being taught in schools, nicknamed the “Ed Scare”, prove that unlike the students that are being deprived of such content, some lawmakers and politicians are the ones struggling from low maturity levels. Times have changed, and attempting to live in the past without recognizing the advancements of the present only limits the progress of the United States as a whole.
In such a diverse country and social landscape, being so close-minded will only disrupt the peace of the nation. It is essential to adapt to changing times, and practice acceptance, so no bigotry-based divides are perpetuated for future generations.
One of the greatest uniting factors in society can be found in the educational system through the shared understanding that knowledge truly is powerful. The vanishing voices, hiding under the authoritative hand of censorship, serve as a poignant call to action, urging society to champion open dialogue, and preserve the sanctity of knowledge for generations to come.
