In New York, PEN America reacted to a recent letter from the Department of Education’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. This letter threatens to cut federal funding for educational institutions that engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities.
PEN America argues that this letter wrongly suggests that having diversity-focused programs is a civil rights violation. This could mean that activities like discussing the Civil Rights Movement or celebrating cultural events could be banned. Such a stance opposes the very idea of free speech in schools. It appears to twist civil rights laws to enforce a narrow viewpoint and suppress meaningful discussions about race and identity.
By saying that federal funds will be withheld unless schools ban certain topics, the administration aims to limit what can be taught and discussed. This shift threatens to change our educational system from one that encourages open debate to one that restricts ideas about race and identity. The government should not dictate what can or cannot be discussed in colleges or schools, whether public or private. Interfering in the intellectual environment of these institutions risks turning them into echo chambers, much like those in authoritarian regimes.
This letter is part of a broader wave of executive actions that attempt to enforce conformity in educational and cultural institutions under the guise of enforcing civil rights. Instead of fostering an open exchange of ideas, it appears to impose its own version of indoctrination. PEN America calls on the Department of Education to withdraw this letter immediately and urges educational leaders not to yield to these pressures, which threaten the freedom to learn.
About PEN America:
PEN America works to protect free expression in the U.S. and around the world. We believe in the transformative power of writing and stand together with writers to defend creative expression. You can learn more about us at pen.org.
For inquiries, please contact: Malka Margolies at [email protected], or call 718-530-3582.
