Local educators and students share concern about the future of education with the trend of book banning

By Anna Riley

3/11/25

Book Banning in schools has become an adopted practice in states such as Florida and Texas, and has been reported in other states on a small scale. Some government officials propose that certain content may be offensive and controversial for young readers, particularly when it comes to topics like sexuality, violence, race, and political views. 

Project 2025, a government plan that has largely been associated with President Trump, details plans to implement country-wide book bans and codify classroom censorship.

Though New York State doesn’t seem to have classroom censorship bans, teachers and students in the capital region describe their worries about the lack of intellectual freedom a book ban would facilitate, and the toll it would take on students' ability to connect with and understand their peers.

English assistant teacher at BOCES, Mr. Stern said “I do cover topics in books that could possibly be banned, and I think it would affect them because they would lack the social empathy that is developed by reading books like Night by Elie Wiesel.”

“A lot of kids connect, empathy wise- my concern is that a lot of these types of books would be on the list that is banned.”  Stern added.

Many teachers feel they  hold a responsibility to teach their students about things history, and current events as a way to emphasize their right to know.

Boces science teacher, Mr. DuMoulin said “I think it’s very important for them to hear it, and see it. I know that an administrator might just be being careful…I think it’s very important for this generation of kids to see what happened in history so that it cannot be repeated.” 

Mr. DuMoulin added that his students “aren’t really able to understand this type of literature,” but hopes that this is something that can be addressed to amplify their ability to connect with issues unrelated to them. 

Many students are also reacting to the idea of book banning, as they feel it is their right to decide what books they want to read, and should not be hindered based on law. Educators would be denying students the opportunity to explore different ideas, question societal norms, and engage critically with the world around them.

Colonie senior, Cameron Froehlich, said “I don’t think it’s an appropriate practice. I don’t think that we should be censoring what students are reading based on the government. I think that’s up to the student, and their family individually.”

Froehlich described that there is value in all types of books, even ones that might hold controversial topics. 

 “They are not learning about other’s experiences who are different from their own, so it is just isolating their own views, which can make people feel superior,” he added.