Ohio’s divisive subjects bill is rooted in denial and avoidance – Canton Repository

As is the case with most solutions in search of a problem,Ohio House Bill 327currently winding its way through the legislative process is an attempt to control the teaching of what its authors considers "divisive" subjects.

If approved, the Promoting Education, Not Indoctrination Act (which initselfis propaganda)would "Prohibit teaching, advocating, or promoting divisive concepts."

The billoffers such examples as:

Teachers are already juggling with knives. Who has time to court this kind of trouble?

The proposed law would permit:

How does one conveyobjectivityregarding such clear moralwrongs as slavery,Native American genocide,or why mostwomen couldn't vote until 1920?

Who gets to selectthe textbooks and materials which would offer theseimpartial lessons?

More Charita Goshay: Book banning is an old, dangerous trick

In March, bill cosponsor state Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, R-Ashtabula, offeredWEWS(Channel 5) an example of how teaching about the Holocaust could offer both sides of the storyby including, say, a perspective from a German soldier.

Eleven million innocent civilians,including 6 million Jews,1 million children, people with physical andintellectualdisabilities, gays,and outspoken Christians, were systematically murdered by the Nazis in concentration camps spread across Europe.

There are lines in history which are clear. There is no counterargumentforwhy the Nazis and the Axis powers did what they did none.

Now, no serious scholarwould be opposed to an examination of the Third Reich'smasterful misuse of racism,lies and propaganda;how Adolf Hitler was able to seduce an entire nation into abandoning its ownhumanity,replacingit with a depravitythe likes of which the modern world had never seen.

But there is no, "Yeah, but ..."

The billalso would allow parents, students and colleagues to report schools and personnel suspected of violating the standards, which could result in a loss of fundingor individual punishment, such as a teacher losing his or her license.

Schools and teachers are already underconstant scrutiny. What ifa complaint is baseless? It has all the elements of Fascism 101.

It strips away opportunities for critical thinking and writing. Without such skills, education simply becomes regurgitation.

It undercuts the local control people claim they want.Either we trust local school boards, or we do not.

It goes without saying that school libraries wouldbe subject to even more scrutiny and censorship.

It's clear that some in Columbus are taking their cues from other state legislatures who have already waded into thewater; among themTexas and Florida.

A strongnation canbearthe truthabout itself. America's storyis unique, one of freedom, ingenuityand limitless promise. It's also a tale ofinjustice,materialismand hubris.

As it stands, Americansavoid history like it wasthe Ebola virus. We don'tneedskewedinformation, which will only deepen thedeficit.

Wemusthave more faith in our children,whohave a right to learn the full story of who we are, where we've been, and where we may be headed.

Charita M. Goshay is a Canton Repository staff writer and member of the editorial board. Reach herat 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

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Ohio's divisive subjects bill is rooted in denial and avoidance - Canton Repository