As “anti-woke” laws that limit diverse curricula and book bans continue to proliferate across the United States — with more than 10,000 books banned in the 2023-2024 school year alone, according to PEN America — teachers are facing mounting challenges when it comes to their classrooms. Despite these policies lacking broad public support, educators have been fired for reading books on acceptance in class and more than 80 faculty members in Diversity Equity and Inclusion roles at two Texas universities were fired in early this year. Recognizing the myriad difficulties educators are grappling with, for this year’s U.S. Constitution Day, TC Take Action and the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs hosted a panel discussion on legal challenges to book bans and punitive anti-DEI laws.
Constitution Day panelists from left to right: Sonya Douglass, Professor of Education Leadership and Founding Director of the Black Education Research Center; Michael Rebell, Professor of Law and Educational Practice and Executive Director at the Center for Educational Equity; and Sarah Hinger, Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Racial Justice Program.
Panelists provided a national overview of the state laws enabling these restrictions, the current standing of cases challenging said laws, practical guidance and support for curriculum issues, as well as recommendations on how to build inclusive classrooms and curricula in light of these difficulties. Sonya Douglass described the work of Black Education Research Center (BERC) and its development of the Black Studies as the Study of the World PK-12 Curriculum for NYC schools (in collaboration with the NYC Council, the Education Equity Action Plan initiative, NYC Public Schools). Sarah Hinger set the stage with cases and challenges at the federal and national level. Michael Rebell analyzed and made relevant the cases in NY State, their effects and the steps we must take to fend off challenges.
As part of the TC Take Action initiative, Matthew J. Camp, Director of Government Relations & Community Engagement, offered attendees an opportunity to share their voice with legislators about these book bans and anti-DEI laws. The TC community can continue to do so using this link.
Watch the full discussion below: