THE BANNING YEARS

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Title

Contemporary Issues in Equity Democracy and Public Education Multidisciplinary Perspectives from Education Social Sciences and Health

Abstract

In the best-case scenario, schools are sites where democracy is learned and practiced. Students study the history of democracies, how democracies flourish and flounder, and what their roles are as citizens. They explore how to engage across difference, find solutions, and make compromises. They learn the power of multiple voices and of coalitions and of the long game. In these current strange days, those of us who work with schools and with teachers are learning something else: we are learning how inequity threatens democracy. The United States is currently awash in an anti-critical race theory backlash and in efforts to strip books from classrooms. We are in the banning years. Since 2021, schools have seen unprecedented efforts to ban books, ban the curriculum, and ban diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Efforts to teach diverse perspectives are now being categorized not as inclusive, but as divisive. It is these realities that this chapter will address. How are diversity and equity being challenged in school? To what end? What are the common techniques? And most importantly, how can teachers stay alert to these threats to democracy and counter inequities that harm us all?

First Page

63

Last Page

73

DOI

10.4324/9781003479123-7

ISBN

[9781032765747, 9781040266359]

Link to Full Text

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