Restrictions in education are surging across the United States, with legislators and school boards targeting content deemed controversial. This wave of censorship mirrors changes seen in institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, where leadership has revised exhibits to align with Trumpian political narratives regarding American history. Beyond institutional targeting, affronts on literature have swelled. In 2023 alone, the American Library Association reported a 92% increase in books targeted for censorship compared to the prior year, disproportionately challenging works on race, gender and LGBTQ+ identity. Bans like these, primarily enacted in public schools, not only target marginalized communities but also threaten academic freedom for all public school students and distort education by filtering content through a political lens.
Notably, the Florida Department of Education banned the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course in 2023. The College Board, which manages and distributes AP curricula, attributed the state of Florida’s decision to the course’s content on sexual orientation and gender identity, which they deemed non-compliant with state law. Similarly, Florida banned AP African American Studies, erasing critical historical narratives and sending a clear message of exclusion to students of color. These moves disrupt thousands of students’ academic plans and impede the quality of education for future Floridians, contributing to a broader national trend of political interference in education. Political agendas are also driving the increases in book bans, including those in Texas and South Carolina. This assault on education must end to protect the integrity of learning today and safeguard the minds that will shape America’s future.
Education should expand knowledge, not restrict it. Yet, politically and racially motivated course bans are doing just that. Blocking AP African American Studies — which is facing criticism and restrictions in some states for addressing systemic racism and Black history — denies students the opportunity to engage with the full scope of American history and culture. Without this foundational understanding, students enter college and society without essential critical thinking skills and a grasp of complex social dynamics. These restrictions do not just narrow academic exploration — they undermine the development of informed, empathetic citizens.
Beyond statewide bans on AP courses, federal authority over education policy has grown more influential in shaping academic curricula. In February, the U.S. Department of Education expanded the application of Title VI to include protections against anti-white discrimination. Title VI was originally established as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to combat race-based discrimination against historically marginalized groups. This shift to protect against anti-white discrimination reframes Title VI’s intent and risks undermining efforts to address systemic racism in education. By positioning discussions of white grievance on equal footing with systemic racial inequities, the federal government could discourage professors from teaching students about the realities of racism in the United States, contributing to historical erasure.
Educators, students and administrators are right to worry about consequences for engaging with race and gender in schools and colleges — with President Donald Trump’s new federal actions, educational content is at risk. Trump's administration denied 11 book ban complaints in January that local school districts filed before Trump took office, meaning the federal government chose not to support efforts by schools to remove certain books from classrooms or libraries — often due to concerns about content related to race, gender, or sexuality. This shift in national leadership is further politicizing education policy enforcement, compromising the integrity of academic standards and undermining efforts to provide an unbiased, inclusive education.
Supporters of the Trump administration’s policies claim decentralization empowers local communities, but civil rights organizations and education advocates argue that these measures disproportionately harm marginalized groups. For instance, in Texas, a recent ban of 801 books, many with LGBTQ+ and racial justice themes, has restricted access to essential perspectives in the classroom. Through book bans and education restrictions, educational opportunity is inequitably anchored to geographic locations with less censorship rather than maintaining a shared national standard. These politically driven policies erode intellectual freedom, deepening divisions in U.S. education and compromising its credibility.
Censorship turns classrooms into political battlegrounds where fear replaces inquiry and debate, ultimately undermining the core purpose of education. Subjects that should inherently evoke critical thinking are increasingly restricted because they broach subjects such as mental health, systemic inequality and LGBTQ+ identities. In spaces where difficult conversations should foster growth, many students instead worry about judgment or retaliation for expressing their perspectives. Reflecting on my experience with The Emory Wheel’s Editorial Board, I’ve seen how addressing uncomfortable topics can lead to deeper understanding and collective problem-solving. When dialogue is stifled, we lose the opportunity to challenge biases, consider new viewpoints and grow both intellectually and emotionally. Without these conversations, we fail to equip students with the tools to navigate a diverse and complex world.
The effects of restrictive educational policies have worked their way upstream into higher education. Emory University is among the nation's finest institutions for its programs in psychology and neuroscience. A well-rounded high school education equips students with the critical thinking skills essential for research and discussion-based learning at Emory. In contrast, censoring topics or framing them through a political lens can create knowledge gaps and biases that hinder objective analysis. Research from the National Association of Scholars shows students with a more comprehensive high school education are better prepared for college work. Consequently, high school students facing curricular restrictions will struggle to adapt to higher-level analysis required in higher education.
Students are not just passive victims of education censorship — they are resisting. All across the country, students have protested and affirmed their right to an uncensored education, and it is apparent that the battle for intellectual freedom does not end at the schoolhouse door. Emory students need be no exception. As students at a university committed to academic excellence and civic engagement, we have a responsibility to act — be it protest, advocacy or lobbying lawmakers. Administrators will not win the struggle for academic freedom alone; it requires courage from students who will not accept a censored education.
While we must oppose the politicization of education and defend academic freedom, we must also acknowledge that education policy embodies ideological fault lines — policymakers, by definition, are politicians. A commitment to education should go beyond partisan interests. No matter one's political affiliation, providing students with a balanced curriculum that encourages critical thinking and open discussion should be a common ideal. If policymakers shape educational policy based on ideologically filtered views, Emory students must ensure that the university acts as a check, protecting intellectual growth and preserving access to a wide range of perspectives.
Contact Niki Rajani at niki.rajani@emory.edu
Niki Rajani (she/her) (27B) is double majoring in Organization and Management and Philosophy, Politics, and Law. Originally from Naples, Florida, she is an active member of Goizueta Women in Finance and Emory Women in Business. Outside of academics, Niki enjoys traveling and playing the piano.
