15: What constraints are there on the pursuit of knowledge?
A constraint is defined as a limitation or restriction, but this work will only focus on how knowledge has been and is restricted.
Throughout the world, knowledge has and always will be constrained. For some people, what they can learn depends entirely on the people around them. Because of strong emotions, authority figures, and restrictions on places to learn, it is impossible for some people to learn about a knowledge group or even a knowledge community. This is true for the whole world, even in places where the concept of constraining knowledge is discountenanced. Because of this, it is crucial to examine examples or artifacts that represent knowledge being restrained.
Object 1: The Northern Lights
My first object is The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. Also referred to as The Golden Compass, it's the first book in the powerful and beautiful series about the young Lyra and her animal friend or "daemon" Pantalaimon. Together, the two explore worlds, searching for the truth about a mysterious element called "dust." The series explores the struggles of maturity, deep questions about morality, the complexity and beauty of relationships, what it means to be alive, and helped me come to terms with events in my life and some deep moral questions. This book is a favorite of a close friend of mine, and after reading it, it's clear to see why.
This object relates to the restriction of knowledge because of its controversy. When I finished this first book, I found out that it's heavily criticized because of its negative depiction of the Church. The series takes place in a world ruled by the Magistrium, which some say parallels the Catholic Church, and questions the amount of authority that the Church should have in the world, angering some religious families. Because of these emotions surrounding The Golden Compass, this book was banned in some school districts in the US.
This object was included in the exhibition because it demonstrates how emotions can constrain our pursuit of knowledge. While the information in banned books like this is often offensive, with some reasons being profane language, sexual themes, and racially insensitive dialogue, the potential discussions about race, sexuality, gender, equality, and more could have been sparked from these banned books have been lost.
Object 2: The Parental Rights in Education Bill
My second object is the Parental Rights in Education Bill, widely referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. This bill was signed into effect on March 25, 2022, and has received much controversy and backlash. The bill states that discussing gender or sexual identity in k-3 classrooms is now banned. It also allows parents to sue teachers who bring up these topics in school. While this bill has only been instituted in Florida, the likelihood that this bill will spread throughout the country is a frightening concept.
This object links to the restriction or knowledge because of its contents. This bill is a direct ban on knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community and fosters an environment of false assumptions and misinformation about the queer community among younger children. It isolates knowledge communities surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, such as same-sex couples or young children with queer parents. While proponents of the bill argue that it should be up to parents to discuss sexuality and gender identity with their children, opponents say that queer children or children with queer parents will grow up in an environment where they feel confused, embarrassed, and isolated.
This object was included in the exhibition because it shows how government bodies, past and present, have restricted knowledge. This current-day example shows that knowledge can and will permanently be restricted. With this legal ban, the pursuit of knowledge about queer history, rights, and identity is severely limited and will allow some children to come up with inaccuracies and assumptions of their own in the innate pursuit of knowledge. The Don't Say Gay Bill demonstrates how authority figures have the power to constrain knowledge.
Object 3: I Am Malala
My final artifact is the book I Am Malala. This book is a moving story about Malala Yousafzai, a political activist from Pakistan who openly spoke out against the Taliban. In her teen years. Famously, she survived an assassination attempt at age 15 on the bus to her school and gained global attention. She received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, and the ban was lifted in 2001 after the US intervened. However, the ban was reinstated in 2021 when the US retreated.
This book connects to the restriction of knowledge because of what Mrs. Yousafzai was protesting. The Taliban derives their ideology from exaggerated Islamic teachings. One such teaching is that women cannot go to school, and the Taliban has used their power to force women out of their educations. Without basic knowledge, women cannot learn the skills needed to take charge and make a difference in their world.
This object was included in the exhibition because it demonstrates that places of knowledge, like schools or libraries, can be constrained to some. It's clear that when places of knowledge are restricted, it can completely cut off someone's access to knowledge communities and even some areas of knowledge. Without the ability to go to school, all basic knowledge is completely restricted to women in Pakistan.
As we can see, constraints on knowledge, while frowned upon in theory, is extremely common across the Globe. From my personal knowledge community to smaller communities in my country and even large communities worldwide, bans on some kinds of knowledge are everywhere. We know this will continue to be an issue because of strong emotions, influential authority figures, and a constraint on places where one can learn. Sadly, knowledge will always be constrained for some people.
Works Cited:
Diaz, Jaclyn. “Florida's Governor Signs Controversial Law Opponents Dubbed 'Don't Say Gay'.” NPR, NPR, 28 Mar. 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1089221657/dont-say-gay-florida-desantis.
“I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban: Home.” Research & Subject Guides, https://libguides.library.ncat.edu/i_am_malala.
LitCharts. “The Golden Compass Themes.” LitCharts, https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-golden-compass/themes.
“Malala Yousafzai.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Malala-Yousafzai.
McCormick, Patricia, and John Gilkes. “I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood up for Education and Changed the World.” Amazon, Thorndike Press, a Part of Gale, a Cengage Company, 2018, https://www.amazon.com/Am-Malala-Stood-Education-Taliban/dp/031628663X.
“What Florida's Parental Rights in Education Law Means for Teachers.” NPR, NPR, 5 Apr. 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/04/04/1090946670/what-floridas-parental-rights-in-education-law-means-for-teachers.
“What Is Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill?” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 9 May 2022, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/dont-say-gay-bill-florida-desantis-b2074720.html.