Wednesday, June 30, 2021

ASEEES Joins Statement Opposing Legislation That Would Restrict Discussion of “Divisive Concepts” in Education

Published on June 30, 2021

The Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies joins the statement issued by the American Association of University Professors, the American Historical Association, the Association of American Colleges & Universities, and PEN America in their “firm opposition” to legislation, introduced in at least 20 states, that would restrict the discussion of “divisive concepts” in public education institutions.

ASEEES actively promotes increased diversity and inclusion, which can only be achieved through open dialog, contextual understanding, and intentional action.  As the letter explains, “Educators must provide an accurate view of the past in order to better prepare students for community participation and robust civic engagement. Suppressing or watering down discussion of ‘divisive concepts’ in educational institutions deprives students of opportunities to discuss and foster solutions to social division and injustice.”