Workplace Dehumanization: The Impact of Silencing Black Narratives on Professional Obfuscation
Title: Censoring Black Stories: The War on Equity and Diversity in Education
Hey there! Let's talk about the latest battle in the fight for equality that's taking place right under our noses, yet goes largely unnoticed – the banning of books affirming Black identity and culture in public schools across America.
Sadly, this isn't some weird anomaly happening out in the desert or on a remote island. No, it's happening right here at home, right in the heart of our beloved United States. The attack on literature that celebrates Black history and culture is a tactic in a broader plan to dismantle civil rights, strip away DEI initiatives, and disregard measures set in place to tackle the systemic inequalities that still plague our society.
You might have heard about Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and 1619 Project creator, Nikole Hannah-Jones, who had first-hand experience with these challenges. As she prepared for a free African American read-in event in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, she faced an uphill battle to get local news stations to cover the event. The reason? Every year, the community schools in the state had participated in a free African American read-in. But this year, her hometown school district surprisingly backed out based on the current anti-DEI directives from the Trump administration. Hannah-Jones, being the fierce warrior she is, organized a community-led read-in event to ensure Black students had access to inspiring and affirming literature. During the event, she and fellow authors would read from their books and give hundreds away for free.
A responsible attempt to erase Black identity, block access to knowledge, and demolish pathways to equity and justice, canceling events like the read-in are all part of a carefully calculated strategy. Hannah-Jones explained that research shows when Black students have a curriculum that mirrors their lives, they thrive academically. Having relatable material allows students to invest in their education, increasing their chances of success. But without representation in literature and history, opportunities for Black professionals become easier to disregard and eliminate, undermining DEI efforts across various industries.
Award-winning author Derrick Barnes, who was also part of the read-in, shared his thoughts on the importance of books in shaping young minds. "Any child who sees someone who looks like them accomplishing great things gives them fuel to launch their lives," Barnes said. "Books allow us to self-educate and facilitate meaningful conversations about various topics."
Tami Charles, the New York Times bestselling author of All Because You Matter, echoed Barnes' sentiments. "In a time when formal DEI support is dwindling, it's vital that we continue to support diverse creators. Books fill in those gaps, enabling us to self-educate and engage in enlightening discussions about countless subjects," she said. Charles, who was one of the featured authors at the read-in event, encouraged people to support local libraries, independent bookstores, especially those owned and operated by people of color, and engaging in social media conversations about their favorite books.
The erasure of Black literature is only one aspect of a deliberate campaign to eradicate civil rights, factual history, and the future of Black people. Hannah-Jones went on record to say, "What we're seeing is a massive assault on civil rights. If you clear the path to assault people's and particularly Black people's civil rights, you first have to erase us from the public sphere, right? So, you erase our stories...when you look at the bestseller list, stories about our experience and the struggles we face are not on that list...If there's one thing Black people know, especially Black women, we will adjust. That may look like starting our own businesses finally, or own distribution networks. In this case, in Waterloo, starting our own book drive for the babies," as she put it.
One must remember that silence is complicity in the face of growing resistance and opposition. Hannah-Jones, referring to activist Audre Lorde, stated, "Your silence will not protect you." She continued, emphasizing that while people may fear personal consequences, this is a critical moment for collective action. "There's going to be an accounting about where we stood in this moment, and who stood up,” she noted. If you want to be on the right side of history, it's essential to speak up and support the fight for Black stories and voices.
The war on Black literature, education, and civil rights is far from over. It's up to each of us to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself, just as it's up to you to use your voice to promote change, equity, and equality for everyone. So, let's rise up, my friends, and embrace the power of words to effect change. Keep spreading the word, and let the world know that Black stories matter, and Black history will never be erased.
Enrichment Data:
- The banning of books that affirm Black identity is part of a broader pattern targeting literature addressing systemic racism, such as Kindred by Octavia Butler, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.
- Books like Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds have frequently been banned for exploring racism in American history.
- This pattern of prohibiting Black literature is linked to broader efforts to restrict discussions of race, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in schools, in tandem with legislative measures like Florida's SB 266 and federal actions like President Trump's executive orders targeting DEI initiatives.
- Resistance to these book bans includes enactment of laws, such as the "Freedom to Read Act" in states like New Jersey, and continued efforts by organizations like PEN America and the ACLU to defend intellectual freedom and promote access to diverse literature.
- Nikole Hannah-Jones and Derrick Barnes, among other authors, emphasize the significance of Black books in empowering young minds, enabling self-education, and fostering enlightening discussions about various topics, especially in light of dwindling formal DEI support.
- The banning of Black books, such as Octavia Butler's Kindred, Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow, and Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing, is part of a broader pattern that targets literature addressing systemic racism and is linked to efforts to restrict discussions of race, diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools, alongside legislative measures like Florida's SB 266 and federal actions like President Trump's executive orders.
- The erasure of Black literature is a crucial first step in a larger campaign aimed at undermining civil rights, factual history, and the future of Black people. As resistance grows, it's essential for individuals to support efforts to defend intellectual freedom and promote access to diverse literature, whether through enacting laws like New Jersey's Freedom to Read Act, supporting organizations like PEN America and the ACLU, or advocating for local libraries and independent bookstores owned and operated by people of color.