TEXTBOOK CENSORSHIP

WHEREAS, among those genuinely concerned with preserving our American ideals, there are some who in their mistaken zeal invoke the very methods they deplore; and

WHEREAS, these people, in their confusion, are attempting to impose loyalty through the passage of legislation such as the Ober Law of Maryland and other similar restrictive measures; and

WHEREAS, such discriminatory and restrictive actions can only be considered as unworthy of our American ideals of freedom of inquiry and discussion; and

WHEREAS, these people, in attempting to protect our youth, also set up criteria for judging the content of textbooks and other educational books and materials in an attempt to impose conformity with their own views; and

WHEREAS, such tactics are not only undemocratic but tend to negate those very ideals which they profess; and

WHEREAS, since democracy requires that all our citizens be given free access to all materials in order that they may form an opinion based on facts:

RESOLVED, that the AFT in convention assembled denounce the use of such undemocratic practices; and

RESOLVED, that this convention reaffirm its position opposing loyalty legislation taken at the Milwaukee convention of 1949; and

RESOLVED, that all locals be urged to be alert to attempts to restrict the freedom of authors, of the press, of magazine and book publishers, and other media of mass communication; and

RESOLVED, that the judgment of textbook content be regarded as an education problem to be decided by educators rather than by self-appointed lay judges; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT vigorously oppose the establishment of state and local textbook screening commissions outside of established local educational control; and

RESOLVED, that our youth be furnished with adequate and accurate information concerning all phases of specific subject matter that they may form their opinions on the basis of factual evidence; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT in convention assembled affirm its belief that freedom of inquiry is basic to democratic practices and to education for democratic living.