Oklahoma regresses by proposing a new bill to ban books related to sexuality, race and gender.
Across the nation, numerous states are banning large numbers of books that deal with sexuality, gender and race. Especially in Oklahoma, a number of books will be banned at the discretion of parents with children in school.
Oklahoma State Senator Rob Standridge proposed Senate Bill 1142, claiming that if a parent thinks a book is not okay to have in the classroom, a $10,000 fine will be charged per day that the book is still on the shelf. If the book is not removed in 30 days, the teacher of the classroom will be terminated and not allowed to teach at any school for two years.
This is a massive step backwards in our efforts to make society a more welcoming, diverse place, and I am appalled that this bill was even created in the first place. Every year, we as a society have the chance to make positive change, to make everyone feel welcome, safe and supported, yet every year I feel like we revert further away from where we need to be.
Not only does this bill apply to K-12 classrooms, but public Oklahoma universities as well through Senate Bill 1141. The bill states that students cannot be required to take any courses “addressing any form of gender, sexual or racial diversity, equality or inclusion curriculum.” The bill says that it will not allow a unanimous education of equality and inclusivity, encouraging alienation and isolation. Imagine creating a bill so harmful to society that you refuse to let public universities educate their students on treating other human beings as your equal.
Not only will this bill be harmful to society, but it will be harmful on an individual level. Students in the LGBTQ+ community are already so rarely recognized in the media, and when they are, it can be very stereotypical. For students who may not be in a safe situation to come out to their family or who have no one to turn to, media is an escape for them, to see characters and themes that represent them. Representation helps people feel accepted, and by controlling the books on the shelf, specifically to ban LGBTQ+ related topics, you are essentially telling those students that they are not acceptable. This will further isolate these children that are already isolated from their family and friends. McAlester News of Southeast Oklahoma reported that one in four Oklahoma LGBTQ+ youth attempt suicide. Telling children that their natural, non-chosen orientation is not okay will do nothing to decrease that statistic.
This idea applies to all groups silenced due to this bill. Many Black authors have been removed from shelves, citing violence in novels about slavery and other intense topics. Why are you removing books about the truth? History is plagued with violence, and to be a more understanding society, we must learn these events from all perspectives. When local news stations were reaching out to Oklahoma towns on this new bill, many discussed classroom shelves full of old novels written by white men. In many schools, books on the Afghanistan Civil War, such as “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, are banned due to violence, yet reading those books was the only way I learned what was occurring on the other side of the world through their perspective. We must diversify our shelves to strive for understanding.
Teachers should not be banned for furthering equality through an understanding of all perspectives. The voice of a white male author will not match the voice of an African American woman over the same event, and it is important to recognize and understand the differences. The United States is a melting pot with people culminating from all over the world. Our country is the epitome of diversity, yet we are so separated from one another.
One parent should not have the authority to dictate what happens to everyone in a classroom. If you are concerned about your child reading a book, then sit them down and explain why you think they should wait until they are older to read it. Take the time to educate your child as opposed to outright banning books. Open the floor for communication. Just because a parent educates their child outside of the classroom does not mean you get the privilege to prevent those curious from a deeper understanding.
