Dear Students, Teachers, and Faculty of America,
Why aren’t you standing up in every school and in every classroom and in every college, university, and institute of learning in America and sharing your anger?
How dare they try to ban your books.
How dare the Governor of Florida try to tell you what is legitimate history, or a legitimate Advanced Placement course of study, and what is not.
How dare they try to introduce legislation that would remove tenure from a professor when the entire concept of tenure is to protect research and scholarly pursuits if and when they become uncomfortable or challenge accepted knowledge.
How dare members of our House of Representatives not only refuse to ban assault rifles but try to celebrate them as a symbol of America. How dare they not protect the sanctity of your classroom and the safety of all within.
How dare the newly installed, politically-motivated Board of Trustees remove diversity, equity, and inclusion curricula from a public college in Florida. How dare the Governor state his intention to do the same at every public college in Florida. How dare they remove opportunities and representation for students are not white, not straight, not conservative, not christian, or not sure who they are yet. Surely school is the very place where you should get to find that out on your own terms.
How dare they try to control your learning, your access to the world.
Learning is about exploration, not limitation.
Education is about facilitating full participation in a rapidly-changing world - for everyone.
Research is about challenging what we think we know.
And schools - the places where we do all the learning, the education, and the research - those are created for you to learn what you want. Schools are not political or cultural re-education camps. They are fundamental pillars of a free and fair society that underpin the very tenets of participatory democracy.
You are generative. They are regressive. You are open to new knowledge. They want to hide the truth. You are democratic. They are dictatorial. You are brave. They are scared.
In every institute of learning, everywhere: Get up. Reclaim your schools, your libraries, your curricula, and your place as a student, teacher, or faculty. Tell them that you are neither a commodity nor a political pawn. Shout until you are hoarse, march until you are exhausted, occupy until they give in.
The power is yours. Learning is yours. Do not let them think they can control either.
Love,
Your Next Chapter. Our Next Chapter. Earth’s Next Chapter.
YOU are brave. THEY are scared.
That nails it.
Amen. Don't know how to get rid of him. And I live in Florida. I can vote, but I cannot control or understand the other voters.