Banning Black Writers During Black History Month Shows Conservative Paradox of Free Speech
Today, many will celebrate Frederick Douglass Day as a part of Black History Month. As some government officials print hollow words in press releases or tweets encouraging state residents to celebrate Black History, they are leading a bitter cultural war against the teaching of it.
Recently, Gov. Ron DeSantis banned an A.P. course on African American Studies in Florida. The official course then underwent considerable changes — erasing the names of the Black writers and removing the most sensitive topics — to appease Conservative leaders.
Frederick Douglass is among a growing list of important Black writers who have been targeted in this fight against “Critical Race Theory, ” or CRT. Through vague laws that ban “divisive” topics from classrooms, there is a push only to teach sanitized versions of historical events, displaying the true paradox in how some view and treat free speech.
We respect the First Amendment as it allows the truly free to utter truths without fear. Yet, we are witnessing elected officials strip First Amendment protections in the classroom in waves far too eager, without carefully considering the legal implications of placating language in schools.
Ironically, from history, we know what this moment calls for. Every positive social change has always evinced an equally potent reaction and resistance. In the summer of 2020, we went from a cultural truth and reconciliation movement, removing racist iconography and reconciling our past, to framing those same discussions as a legal question of “speech” or “discomfort.”
This whitewashing of history not only stifles our children’s ability to learn but prevents them from meaningfully understanding the historical racial backdrop of this country. And where does it stop? Do we eliminate all topics that may cause some discomfort? By withholding Black history, we prevent the next generation of leaders from deepening their critical thinking skills so they can properly address society’s greatest problems.
Born a slave, Frederick Douglass never knew his birthdate. He chose February 14 — now widely celebrated as Valentine’s Day– as his birthday. His memoir Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, was a highly influential book at the time of its release, boosting the abolitionist movement and catapulting Douglass before a sympathetic audience.
Today, his memoir is banned in an Oklahoma school district. And intentionally vague anti-CRT policies put him and many other important Black writers and scholars at risk, preventing students from fully understanding the unspeakable cruelty inherent in the American system of slavery.
Douglass’ memoir, which details the experiences of enslaved people without the filter of the oppressor, is an important reminder of the anti-Black racism that penetrated throughout the South and the North during that era. As Black literacy threatened the system of oppression, slave narratives are powerful examples of how slaves could fight the propaganda of slavery apologists by detailing their horrific experiences with honesty, rather than a sanitized truth.
Nearly two centuries later, we still witness a sanitized truth about the true horrors of racism spreading throughout our country. And for that reason, we must fight against states banning uncomfortable topics like racism in schools and withholding historical information from young people. Doing so downplays the cruelty Black people experienced in this country and hurts students of all backgrounds.
Today also marks one year since I began my journey as President at Institute for Educational Leadership. In my first year at IEL, I have worked alongside our team to ensure all voices, including those of youth, communities of color, and people with disabilities, are heard and amplified. Rather than shying away from uncomfortable truths, we actively seek input from the most vulnerable communities to advance policy goals and meaningfully change society.
Our Policy by the People agenda, which aims to reflect the experiences and ideas of the communities we represent, tackles systemic barriers to equity in education and the workforce. Last year, our agenda helped advance policy goals in several areas, including increased federal funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program, passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration’s executive action to forgive up to $20,000 in student debt, and the extended the payment moratorium.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day and Frederick Douglass Day, we should reflect on what it truly means to love others and the most vulnerable. As Bell Hooks wrote, “The moment we choose to love, we begin to move toward freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others.” We must listen to the experiences and rich history of the most marginalized communities, no matter how uncomfortable it may make us, instead of using calls for love and peace as a tool to silence them.