Educational gag orders are state legislative efforts attempting to enact government mandates on free expression and academic content in schools through restrictive teaching and learning on 'divisive' concepts of race in American history. The term, coined by PEN America, a New York-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend free expression, raises alarm of these legislative measures that are sweeping across American classrooms designed to suppress free exchange of ideas and silence critical perspectives. Essentially, these gag orders impose ideological censorship on our schools, disproportionally stifling the voices of marginalized groups and repressing academic freedom. They undermine diversity of viewpoints and deepen educational inequities by legalizing ideological exclusion on the government level. American values of democracy and free speech have been etched in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and ratified as part of Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791 (Library of Congress, n.d.). It bestows responsibility upon Congress to serve American citizenry via passing and upholding constitutional rights and civil liberties by protecting freedom of speech, press, and assembly (The White House, n.d.). By attempting to suppress discussion on topics of societal importance in schools, lawmakers egregiously trump principles of our Founding Fathers. As a result of this political gambit, our children lose the connection between American history, society, and their identity, unable to grapple with contemporary manifestations of our democracy. In addition, substantially modifying the tenets of liberal education by banning 'uncomfortable' topics in schools contradicts democratic ideals that has made the United States the leading country in attracting foreign students and talent.
Authors: Dr. Roza Eynula
DOI: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391214257_Policy_Memo_-_Educational_Gag_Orders_and_Law
Publish Year: 2022
