6-02-2023 1:12pm

Ten Governors Stand Against Censorship in School Textbooks, Urge Publishers to Uphold Educational Integrity

In a collective move, governors led by New Jersey's Phil Murphy unite against recent instances of textbook censorship, underscoring their commitment to comprehensive education.

In a robust response to a growing national concern, nine governors have united with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in a collective stand against the censorship of school textbooks.

This move comes in response to recent news that some textbook publishers have agreed to censor their educational materials under pressure from certain state governments, notably Florida.

The bipartisan group of governors, in their letter to publishing companies, articulated a strong message emphasizing the negative impact of censored materials on core educational values and goals.

The governors argued that censorship, particularly in an educational context, compromises the integrity of teaching and learning processes.

"Our country’s future is at stake. You hold enormous influence in shaping how our great nation’s history is told, and the consequences of your actions will reverberate for generations to come," wrote the governors. "Sanitizing our educational texts for the mercurial comfort of a few today ultimately limits the next generation’s ability to make informed decisions for themselves."

The governors, representing a diverse cross-section of American society, appealed to the publishers to resist political pressure to censor textbooks, emphasizing the pivotal role these texts play in equipping students with comprehensive knowledge. They highlighted that the repercussions of censorship are particularly severe for already marginalized and underrepresented students.

In addition to Governor Murphy, the signatories included Governor John Carney of Delaware, Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Governor Albert Bryan of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Governor Jay Inslee of Washington.

The letter was sent to nine leading publishers of K-12 textbooks and educational materials, along with the Association of American Publishers, which represents the major book, journal, and education publishers in the United States.

The governors' letter not only addressed the issue at hand but also demonstrated their commitment to working with school districts to ensure they are fully informed about the nature of texts available for use, particularly regarding those that may have been subject to inappropriate censorship.

This unified stand is an encouraging sign of resistance against forces seeking to undermine the integrity of education. It signals a collective intent to foster an educational environment that upholds the principles of comprehensive knowledge, inclusivity, and democratic values.

Governor Murphy and his colleagues have set an imperative tone for the nation’s education community, emphasizing that an informed and inclusive future for the next generation cannot be compromised.

The implications of this stand are far-reaching, reinforcing the governors' commitment to educational integrity, the upholding of democratic principles, and the preservation of a diverse and inclusive national history for future generations.