(NEW YORK)—PEN America calls on Governor Laura Kelly to veto provisions inserted in the Kansas state budget bill that would place significant barriers around the teaching of issues related to race and gender in public colleges and universities in the state. The provisions, based on a model bill from the Goldwater Institute and Speech First, prohibit Kansas public universities and colleges from requiring or “constraining” students to enroll in a “DEI-CRT course.” However, the definition of “DEI-CRT” is not laid out in the bill but would be determined later by the State Board of Regents, a body appointed and confirmed by Kansas politicians.
“These provisions undermine free expression at Kansas universities, putting up unjustifiable educational barriers for students across the state,” said Amy Reid, Program Director, Freedom to Learn at PEN America. “This bill will chill class content and discussion related to race and gender by forbidding so-called ‘DEI-CRT’ in required courses, resulting in an education redlined by political whims. When lawmakers tell students and faculty that some ideas are off-limits, it doesn’t just censor classroom discussions, it also impoverishes communities as students enter the workforce with a redacted education. Politicians and political appointees should not be in the business of telling students what ideas are allowed and which are taboo. Slipping these provisions into a budget bill is just a sloppy strategy to camouflage censorship.
“We urge Governor Kelly to line-item veto these provisions and to stand up for Kansas students’ freedom to learn,” Reid continued. “We also urge all Kansas legislators who care about free expression to uphold the ability of Kansas students to have open and honest discussions in class, especially when a topic might be deemed controversial.”
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Malka Margolies, [email protected], 718-530-3582