Americans are less free in 2023 than just a couple years ago.
While some may see Florida’s assault on books, school curriculum, and higher education as an aberration, censorship, bans, and curriculum gag orders are increasingly common across the US, as reported by Eesha Pendharkar:
This is the third year in a row in which Republican lawmakers have increased their legislative efforts to restrict LGBTQ students’ rights and curtail lessons, books, and other materials about LGBTQ people.
“There certainly seems to be renewed energy around passing censorship legislation around LGBTQ identity, which is law really only in one state,” said Jeremy Young, the senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America.
“But that’s likely to increase dramatically this year.”
Since 2021, lawmakers in 22 states have introduced 42 bills with language and restrictions similar to those in the “Don’t Say Gay” measure, formally known as the Parental Rights in Education law. Since the start of this legislative session, 26 of those bills have been introduced in 14 states that use the same language as Florida’s law, with many imposing more severe restrictions compared with the original bill, which Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed in 2022.
Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Continues to Spur More Extreme Versions Nationwide
Republicans and conservatives have launched a campaign to ban books, censor ideas and topics in schools from elementary school through higher education, eradicate academic freedom, and indoctrinate children by seizing control of education through legislation.
These legislative attacks target the LGBTQ+ community, minoritized races, the legacy and history of racism in the US, and everyone who embraces a pluralistic democracy.
I am advocating here a companion month of solidarity in May 2023 that builds on National Days of Teaching Truth in 2022.
Please contact me by email paul(dot)thomas(at)furman(dot)edu or message me through Twitter if you’d like to sign on in support or offer any events that carry this tag #standwiththebanned.
Below I will list signees, individuals or groups/organizations, who offer support as well as list resources for fighting bans and censorship.
I will also be posting day-by-day books, texts, and authors. for the entire month of May 2023.
We Stand with the Banned
Paul Thomas, Professor of Education, Furman University
Katie Kelly, Associate Professor of Education, Furman University
Brandon Inabinet, Professor of Communication Studies, Furman University
Victoria L. Turgeon, Academic Director of Prisma Health Partnerships, Professor of Biology & Neuroscience, Furman University
Miles Dame, Outreach Assistant, Furman University Libraries, and Facilitator with Freedom in Libraries Advocacy Group
Mary Howard, author
Rosemarie Jensen
Chris Goering, University of Arkansas
Deborah Cromer
Ellen Hopkins, author
Michael E. Jennings, Professor of Education, Furman University
Emily Pendergrass, Associate Professor of Literacy, Peabody College
Shameera Virani, Clinical Faculty, Department of Education, Furman University
Day-by-Day Books, Texts, and Authors: May 2023
TBD
May 1:
May 2:
May 3:
Open Letter on Fighting “Anti-Woke” Censorship of Intersectionality and Black Feminism
May 4:
Most-Banned Author in America Calls BS on Parents’ ‘Concern’
May 5:
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Resources
Please download and share:
NCTE Intellectual Freedom Center
Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in Schools
“Only Cowards Ban Books” T-shirt HERE
NEPC:
- NEPC Review: How to Regulate Critical Race Theory in Schools: A Primer and Model Legislation (Manhattan Institute, August 2021)
- Critical Race Theory: What It Is. And What It Is Not. A Q&A With Adrienne Dixson
- Understanding the Attacks on Critical Race Theory
dr. p.l. (paul) thomas 