A college student’s perspective on how sb1 silences the truth and erases history!
Over 1.5 million Ohioans lack food security. Over 11,000 Ohioans are homeless. Despite these issues, Grand Old Party (GOP) Senator Cirino recently decided that the most important issue to tackle in the 136th Assembly was higher education. So, he introduced Senate Bill 1, also known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act. The word “advance” is contradictory to the racist, bigoted nature of this bill. They are using this language to distract us, as this bill is doing the opposite of protecting or advancing anything or anyone. S.B.1 directly reflects a time in history when only white, Christian, landowning men were able to receive a college education. They are longing for the time when curricula were full of white-washed history. Of course, those indoctrinated with this limiting viewpoint and education standard perpetuate these norms.
When discussing S.B. 1, it is important to recognize that it is not just about education. It is also about workers' rights and union rights, which impact nearly all Ohioans. S.B. 1 limits what can be bargained collectively for contracts, as well as bans strikes for all University employees. This in itself opens the door for future legislation that limits the rights of unions and oppresses the working class.
If Cirino’s blatant attack on workers is not enough to sell you on the evils of this bill, its attack on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) should do the trick. While Cirino argues that his bill does not “censor” free speech, he clearly states that it “...ban(s) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion courses, training, litmus tests, required statements, and spending for any DEI initiatives or programs with the same intent.” This reads to me that Cirino wants to promote “free speech” while simultaneously silencing those most marginalized and instilling fear in teachers. This fear will limit discussion on real, fact-based theories based on diversity on the misconception of the content being “harmful.” This is doing a disservice to those seeking a college education that is rooted in years of credible research and a drive to better society.
However, this bill does not just place bans on DEI. It also bans teachers from “indoctrinating” or correcting students on what is labeled as controversial issues. These are defined as “...any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy, including issues such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion.” This directly impacts my line of study. As a Social Work and Political Science student, I’ve learned that DEI is integral to the ethics and professional code of conduct. These topics have been debated, written, lectured, and read in almost every class I have had since beginning my undergraduate studies. If S.B. 1 is enacted, a student could deny or spread misinformation on various topics, from climate change to an extreme extent the reality of the Holocaust or slavery, the professor would not be allowed to correct them. Not only is this incredibly dangerous to allow for misinformation to spread amongst peers, but to let these ideas spread amongst the masses dishonors our history and is detrimental to our future. Furthermore, this is a huge misunderstanding as to how DEI is implemented in Universities. I have never felt pressured to lie about my beliefs due to a professor’s “agenda”. I have felt empowered to speak my mind and have never strayed from sharing my opinion due to fear of getting a bad grade.
After discussing S.B. 1 in classes and with peers, I noticed the resounding reaction to this bill is fear. We are worried about our accreditation processes, the fate of our profession, and our clients’ futures. However, while we are scared or uncertain of what comes next, the common consensus is that we will not back down. We will not be complicit or be whistleblowers for the GOP agenda. We will protest, we will testify, and if our professors cannot talk about DEI, we will continue to speak truth to power.
In conclusion, I want to end with the same quote from Senator Cirino’s press release regarding this bill. “Our Founders treasured diversity of thought so highly they made free speech our very first guaranteed right. It’s time to bring that right back to campus.” The bill is a direct contraction to what Senator Cirino claims he is trying to achieve, as he is punishing diversity of thought and progress in society. Though, I do find it incredibly telling that he is calling to our racist, misogynistic, and former enslavers; also known as our founding fathers who did not know or value the concept of diversity.