Freethought Discussion: Censorship in Public Schools & Libraries

Moderator: Alan E. Johnson

Censorship in Public Schools and Libraries

During the last few years, there has been a strong political movement to restrict what is being taught in public schools and ban certain books in school or public libraries. This has resulted in many laws or other governmental restrictions at the state and local levels. Here are some questions we will consider:

• To what extent, if any, should government restrict teaching about history, government, and political theory in K–12 public schools?

• To what extent, if any, should government restrict teaching about sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in K–12 public schools?

• To what extent, if any, should government control curriculum and course content in the social sciences and humanities in public higher education?
• To what extent, if any, should government ban books in public schools and libraries?

References (not required reading/viewing):

• “Nationwide effort to ban books challenges freedom of speech,” PBS NewsHour, video (6 minutes, 40 seconds), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f_zHAyhD4I.

• “Which states passed laws restricting school curriculum?,” USA Facts, March 30, 2023, https://usafacts.org/articles/which-states-passed-laws-restricting-school-curriculum/.

• Terry Gross, “From Slavery to Socialism, New Legislation Restricts What Teachers Can Discuss,” NPR, February 3, 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/02/03/1077878538/legislation-restricts-what-teachers-can-discuss.

• Hannah Natanson, “Teachers Are Limiting Lessons on Political, Social Issues, Report Finds,” Washington Post, February 15, 2024, https://wapo.st/433McJX. (As a result of my Washington Post subscription, the foregoing link can be accessed without charge for fourteen days, notwithstanding the usual Washington Post paywall.)

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