In South Carolina, conservative lawmakers are attempting to pass legislation prohibiting teachers from instructing students on any subject that could cause the latter to feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress” about their race or sex. In this context, teaching white students about their ancestors’ role in the slave trade, or Jewish students about the horrors of the Holocaust, becomes fraught with difficulty.
The new rules would join 155 so-called “gag orders” already in place in 34 of 50 US states, limiting what teachers can say on topics such as race, gender identity and the history of their country. This is a “full frontal assault” on freedom of expression, says Jeremy Young, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, an organization that works to defend freedom of expression through the promotion of literature and human rights. “These are attempts to whitewash America’s past,”
Young, who is also a historian, notes that one unwanted side effect of such legislation is that teachers are considering quitting or have already left the profession in droves. “Perhaps one of the most perverse cases is that of Texas, where the Holocaust must be dealt with from the point of view of both sides: the executioners and the victims,” he notes. The atmosphere is becoming more hostile every day.
Identity and sexuality
These “gag laws” hone in on conservatives’ hot-button issues. Each law is different, but most prohibit teachers from discussing non-binary gender or sexuality. They also prevent teachers from debating gay marriage or LGBTQ+ rights.