Censorship is the counterproductive aspect of education in America that is limiting the

production of intelligent and innovative people. Free speech was installed in our society to
prevent the repetition of history, to promote diversity, and to enhance the human race as a
whole. It’s important to our education and our very well being.

It’s no secret that our state issued textbooks are missing chunks of information. Our
school curriculum is racist, heteronormative, and all around exclusive through the use of lying by
omission. For example, the credit of a white man is almost always given, as where the credit of
a black man is “anonymous” or non existent. The same goes for women, their work is hardly
credited and it seems they’re pushed behind the scenes. Significant historical figures’
sexualities are erased in an effort to minimise our exposre to the LGBTQ community. By leaving
out intersectionality, these texts are leaving out crucial representation for the students who have
to read them. Growing adults, more than any other age group, need the assurance that they’re
able to create significant change in this world no matter the demographic they’re apart of.
Another downside to erasing intersectionality is the events or injustice against minority groups is
hardly shared. Genocides, seemingly “unsolved” crimes, and important movements are left out
of the conversation, depriving students and minority students alike from important aspects of our
history. It’s understandable that there’s only so much that can be taught in a year, but if we can
spend several days recapping World War 2 or the Vietnam War, we can touch on the Stonewall
riots and how they’ve improved the lives of LGBTQ members of society. Aspects of our history
shouldn’t be erased because they fit a progressive mindset, these are things all students should
be learning, as to understand how we can be better as a country. We must embrace our past,
even the parts that are too difficult to face, so we’re able to move forward as a collective.

Our first amendment in the Constitution guarantees us freedom of speech, press,

religion, assembly, and petition. What it fails to directly mention, is that every single person from
every part of the political/social spectrum has the right to this, and we all have to put up with
each other. I think an issue with liberal education is that it’s centered around liberal ideologies,
and is rejected because it can be exclusive towards certain central or conservative ideologies.
Diversification through race, sexuality, and gender are crucial to a better education, but so are
our political and social viewpoints. Understanding where each sides’ thinking derives from could
enrich a students’ educational experience and encourage early social maturity. The
intermingling of ideas all across the political and social spectrum promotes healthy conversation
and sufficiently prepares a student for the real world. I was fortunate enough to experience the
proof for this firsthand, at an event called “48 hours”, presented by a local art gallery. 48 hours is
a summit and exhibition held to promote social change through the creative world and social
engagement. I conducted an interview with my counterpart in politics, and afterwards led a
community discussion based off of the interview. Humanizing the ideologies that I opposed
brought light to what this other side actually stood for. The interview allowed for me to actively
listen to someone’s beliefs and consider their logic behind them. The community discussion
only furthered my acceptance, in that individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds were able
to have a civil conversation about how to come together, without critiquing each others ideals.
This has inspired me to continue to listen and consider viewpoints that conflict with mine.
Keeping the classroom unbiased can be beneficial, however, introducing equal portions of
ideals creates an even more well rounded student. In turn, the byproduct would be socially and
politically mature adults, prepared to listen and productively come to agreements, despite living
in a polarized nation. The censorship of any political viewpoint cripples our ability to create
community and restricts diversity in the educational world.

The idea of liberal education and free speech can’t only be viewed from a technical
perspective, it also has to be viewed philosophically. The enhancement of our society depends
on collaboration and continued efforts to stay open minded. However, our country is described
as polarized and continues to be driven apart. The early integration of a non-censored
educational environment into the lives of students could reverse the probability of the country
splitting into two. When there’s nothing hidden from us, there’s no reason to fear our institutions
or eachother. Progression, whether it be destructive or peaceful, is derived from the truth.
Progression is a natural human instinct, as humans we’re completely unable to avoid it, and
we’re always searching for more truth. Take literally any scenario from our history on this planet:
the discovery of fire, chemical warfare, our very system of government, the electric razor,
prohibition and it’s repealment, etc. When we understand a concept, we’re more likely to share
and further our use with it. Given this philosophy, why do we continue to bar future generations
from the full extent of knowledge they could obtain? We’re only delaying enhancements of the
human race, that otherwise could improve our state of existence. Sooner or later, with the help
of our already developed enhancements, we learn to the extent of which we choose and
progress anyway.

I strongly believe censorship is an educational buffer and freedom of speech is the tool
that will help to drive us forward as a species. I’m passionate about the future generations ability
to bring this country together. I hope you consider my philosophies on the importance of an
uncensored classroom and how free speech will only benefit us.