Last year Florida along with many other states banned the teaching of AP African American Studies which leads to the question what’s next? Now they’re banning AP psychology. This year AP psychology has been the target of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. 

The bill in itself is a gateway to banning multiple classes that discuss topics like gender identity and gender orientation. Although it’s technically not illegal to teach an AP Psychology class the banning of certain units that play a key role in psychology do affect these classes. Teacher’s risk being imprisoned for teaching the college board curriculum. 

The fact that teachers put their careers at risk for teaching a class that has such a big role in showing us and helping us understand ourselves and others as people is saddening and a harsh reality for teachers in Florida. 

Banning topics like race, gender identity and sexual orientation is the wiping and whitewashing of our history and culture. The banning of AP African American Studies was just the beginning. Florida students are now unable to learn about the very things that shape and morph us such as gender identity and sexual orientation. Knowing about your body and mind is a right and we should fight for it.

The banning of classes that talk about what makes us well, human, and what shapes our culture is absurd. It angers me to no end to see how so many years of fighting for people’s stories and experiences of racism, bigotry and discrimination erased in the wake of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida by governor Ron Desaintis and similar bills in other states. I believe along with many of my peers and teachers that people should have the right to teach and say what they want to say and this should be protected under the 1st Amendment. No one should be prosecuted for teaching important and scientifically proven information.

These classes are also worth college credit and it’s wrong to take away these opportunities. Many kids rely on AP classes to jumpstart their college education. I feel for people who can’t get ahead of the game in a possible career path they want just because of these misguided actions.  

 I myself as a student and a minor can not vote yet but I urge parents, teachers and any students able to vote to choose candidates who believe in academic freedom.