Ahem, everyone, hold onto your hats (and your funny bones) because we’re about to talk about some truly laughable laws. Apparently, there are some folks out there who are trying to make it illegal to teach American history. Yup, you heard that right, folks! These “divisive concepts” include everything from slavery to LGBTQ+ issues to good old-fashioned diversity. You know, all the topics that make close-minded people really uncomfortable.

But wait, it gets even funnier (or scarier, depending on how you look at it). These proponents are actually serious. They’re trying to outlaw teaching anything that might make people think critically or question the status quo. It’s like they’re taking a page out of the Joseph McCarthy playbook and trying to root out any ideas that don’t align with their narrow worldview.

But fear not, my friends! These folks are on the losing side of history. They’re only pushing these laws to score some cheap political points. They’re trying to distract us from the important issues, like how to make a really good PB&J sandwich or how many times is too many to watch The Office in one sitting.

I’m no expert, but I do know a thing or two about education. I’m the president of a university, which means I get paid to know what I’m talking about (or at least pretend to). Luckily, my university isn’t in the line of fire for these ridiculous laws. But I feel sorry for my colleagues in those other states. They’re being censored and silenced in the name of “free expression” (which is a real head-scratcher of a term if you think about it).

The proponents of these laws are trying to tell us that universities are these hotbeds of “political correctness” where students can’t handle hearing anything that doesn’t align with their worldview. But in reality, that’s just not true. Sure, every now and then you’ll get a rowdy student who thinks they’re hot stuff for shouting someone down, but that’s the exception, not the rule. And we’re always working to address those issues, both in and out of the classroom.

At the end of the day, we need to rally around the principles of open inquiry and debate. We need to be able to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and learn about the world around us. And yes, sometimes that means hearing uncomfortable truths or perspectives that we don’t agree with. But that’s how we grow and learn. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s way more fun to argue with people than to agree with them all the time.

Serious News: nytimes