This is the time of year when many high school seniors, myself included, make the life-changing decision of where to apply to pursue a college education. In deciding, many students prioritize factors such as the party scene, Greek life, campus aesthetics, dormitory conditions, and weather when selecting where to apply, and Florida, known as the Sunshine State, has become a popular choice. With its close proximity to the ocean, lively social scene, and perfect weather, it seemingly offers everything one could desire. Yet, more often than not, many overlook the fundamental principles of what universities should be when going through their application selection process.
Universities should serve as spaces where intellectual growth is fostered, where freethought is encouraged, and where diverse ideas can flourish. Unfortunately, recent developments in certain Southern states, including Texas, Louisiana, and the aforementioned Florida, are casting a shadow on these core beliefs and tarnishing the region’s academic reputation. It’s not just the threat of political interference in education; but, the stark reality of it, combined with the legacy of historical whitewashing and its recent resurgence, that has led me to rule out applying to universities in the South.
Florida’s recent anti-higher education laws, exemplified by Senate Bill 266, have been troubling me. This legislation bans certain diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and even restricts parts of gender and minority race studies, framing them as “unproven, theoretical, or exploratory content.” The heavy-handed nature of these restrictions raises concerns about the government’s role in determining the courses and majors available to students. The essence of education is to foster open debate and critical thinking. When governments intervene in the curriculum, they risk stifling these fundamental components of higher learning.
What’s even more disconcerting is my fear that this political interference may not stop with SB 266. The possibility that state governments could continue tweaking education policies to align with their political views is a grave concern of mine. It’s astonishing how many raise their voice in protest when governments attempt to curtail freedom of speech by censoring violent and misleading information, branding it as unconstitutional, and yet, altering the education of an entire population doesn’t often elicit the same level of concern from the same individuals. Instead, they encourage it. These laws like SB 266 transform how people think and communicate, which, in some ways, is even worse than outright censorship. Such shifts in education which align with specific political agendas can and will manipulate individuals’ beliefs, values, and knowledge to fit a predetermined ideology or narrative. What’s even more concerning is that none of this is new.
The South has a well-documented history of whitewashing its past. Following the Civil War, some white Southerners sought to recast the Confederacy as a noble and honorable cause, framing the conflict as a defense of states’ rights rather than a war fought to perpetuate the institution of slavery. This narrative not only romanticized the Confederacy but also downplayed the horrors of slavery and the true causes of the Civil War. This revisionism also seeped into education materials, with history textbooks offering a sanitized version of history, concealing the brutality of slavery and marginalizing African-American contributions. The consequences of this whitewashing have been far-reaching. It has hindered acknowledgment of historical injustices, making it difficult to address systemic issues.
The recent curriculum changes in Florida, where students are now taught that enslaved people “developed skills” for their personal benefit, only exacerbate the problem. These distortions undermine the foundation of informed and rational discourse in higher education. How can students engage in educated debates when their fundamental knowledge is compromised by lies and falsehoods perpetuated by their respective governments?
An additional concern among prospective students is the impact that these education laws have on educators. What makes top universities the best are the professors and faculty. A survey by the American Association of University Professors has found that political interference in higher education, along with changes to tenure policies, is driving many educators away from Southern institutions. Two-thirds of surveyed faculty members would not recommend their state as a desirable place to work, and one-third are actively seeking academic employment elsewhere. I’d argue that these findings highlight the detrimental effects of political interference on the well-being of the academic community. Southern universities are at risk of pushing away top-notch talent, which means that, whether you’re pursuing a STEM major or a humanities major, you’re less likely to have the opportunity to work side by side with world-renowned educators and learn from them.
In light of these concerns, I find it essential to seek out institutions that prioritize academic freedom, critical thinking, and diverse, inclusive education, and as such, I have chosen to exclude Southern universities from my considerations for higher education. A place that suppresses free thought is not a place for me and should not be a place for you.