I am curious how many members of the state legislature have a background in education? I do not, and would no more tell a teacher how or what to teach, than I would a logger how to fell a tree. Those who fear knowledge display little confidence in the value of their way of thinking. If one’s beliefs stand on their own merits, there is nothing to fear from discussion of other perspectives. In fact, comparison strengthens the better set of beliefs. Isn’t it Communist countries and dictatorships who do not allow information that differs from their agenda? How ironic that a contingent of the New Hampshire legislature is following that playbook. How insulting to educators to think that “indoctrinating” students is part of their agenda. (Not to mention that it is a major parental responsibility to discuss one’s perspectives and beliefs with one’s child.)
How can an adequate education be obtained without a full spectrum of available information? How can students have confidence in the truthfulness of anything being taught, knowing that some concepts have intentionally been removed from their curriculum? This censorship, by those unqualified to do so, shortchanges our children, and thus all of us, and our future. I hope that those who support this legislation can find a more honest, and therefore more effective, way of promoting their beliefs. Some might say, “the truth shall make us free.” Apparently there are members of our legislature who do not believe that.
Teresa Wyman
Canterbury