The Politicization of Education: Classroom Censorship
As the politicization of education continues, teachers are sharing their outrage toward book bans and classroom censorship.
- “My heart is breaking for teachers asked to pull ‘inappropriate books’ from their classrooms…because you KNOW they’re having to erase black, brown, and queer people. I morally couldn’t do it. Teachers working in places with these rules: I am so sorry. How are you holding on?” —High School English Teacher in Kentucky
- “This breaks my heart for any teacher. I have worked hard to fill my classroom library with books about artists from communities that my students also belong to. They all made artworks calling out racism, sexism, queer visibility… I can’t imagine having to pull those books.” —Middle School Teacher in California
- “Just read through another banned book list… it had what many consider classics! Diary of Anne Frank, The Color Purple… how about this: why don’t we just stop reading in school and draw butterflies?! And make sure kids’ eyes are closed as you travel to the building.” —English Educator in Maryland
- “Teachers: Smokey Daniels & I are offering free Zoom sessions to support those being impacted by anti-truth state laws/district policies(censorship, book bans,etc.) More info & signup: https://forms.gle/o9g7pM4bN8faXf4o6 Unsure where your state stands? https://edweek.org/policy-politics/map-where-critical-race-theory-is-under-attack/2021/06 @smokeylit” —Elementary School Leader in Illinois
- “My heart is heavy for educators in Sarasota, FL. They were recently told they cannot purchase books or have any books or reading materials donated to their classroom, they can’t order from Scholastic and their schools will not host book fairs.” —English Educator in Maryland