In a country that is becoming more diverse by the day, we have the power to stop book bans and other attempts to erase Black history.
Written by Amecia Cross
black words
No matter how much the right-wing ridicules this term, the black community must wake up. In recent years, we have witnessed disturbing trends that threaten the foundations of democratic societies, including the banning of books, censorship of curricula, and attacks on historical narratives in educational institutions.
These actions not only threaten the principles of academic freedom and undermine the health of our educational system, but also position America as a democracy on the brink of collapse.
Education is intended to be a journey that unlocks the unknown, expands critical thinking, and fosters intellectual growth. At the heart of this journey is the freedom to engage with diverse ideas, perspectives, and honest histories.
When politicians and officials censor books, sanitize curricula, and suppress truths about the harsh effects of slavery, Jim Crow, Reconstruction, and various civil rights movements, students learn more about the complexities of the past. opportunities to tackle serious issues and design an inclusive future. A more just society.
In a country that is becoming more diverse by the day, we cannot allow the right to whitewash our history or dilute our culture by ignoring the multicultural America and the world in which our young people live. To do anything other than teach both history and contemporary reality is tantamount to erasure.
Rather than shielding children from divergent ideas, uncomfortable truths, and controversial topics, education should encourage dialogue, debate, and the exploration of diverse perspectives. Still, more than 4,200 books were subject to censorship in 2023. According to the American Library Association (ALA), there was a 65% increase over the previous year, with 47% of those stories centering on the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. .
This is not a mistake. It is a deliberate effort to spread (cis-hetero) white supremacy. The result is a dangerous domino effect that is reversing hard-won civil rights progress. The so-called anti-CRT (critical race theory) and anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) culture wars are leading to the collapse of affirmative action in college admissions, the reduction of voting rights, and the amplification of white grievance politics. It happened the same way. Claims of reverse racism. Schools have always been battlegrounds for the civil rights movement…and today is no different.
Black and Latino students are particularly affected by the erasure of their history and culture. Because the majority of students in the United States are people of color, they deserve a culturally relevant, rich, and rigorous education. Not only is it correct, it also has positive effects. Research shows that children are more engaged and perform better academically when they can see themselves reflected in books, learning materials, and teachers. In other words, representation matters.
Similarly, curriculum censorship stifles academic inquiry and hinders educators' ability to provide a comprehensive and balanced education. The right's attacks on history are particularly insidious, seeking to rewrite or erase the past to fit an American memory that no longer represents who we are or where we are going.
History is not static. It is a dynamic and continuous process of investigation, interpretation, and modification, and must not be diluted or distorted. And whiteness is no longer the default perspective.
Additionally, book bans, curriculum censorship, and attacks on history disproportionately impact marginalized communities and perpetuate systemic inequalities. By silencing voices and perspectives that challenge the status quo or highlight the experiences of marginalized groups, we perpetuate narratives of exclusion and erasure. Our history, our heroes, our experiences cannot be erased.
That's why EdTrust and prominent leaders in education and civil rights are hosting “Can't Be Erased: An Event to Rally Against Book Bans and Curriculum Censorship” on April 17 at 6pm ET. Attendees of this free virtual event can learn how to resist efforts. Honest history teaching and suppressing diversity of identity and ideas in your community.
The demand to provide culturally relevant curriculum to all students in a safe and inclusive environment has never been more pressing. Book bans and policies that limit discussion of race, gender, and identity not only impede academic growth but also obscure students' understanding of the diverse cultures of the United States and the world around them.
This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.
