O' Children, What Shall We Do?
New York Department of Education vs. Trump
Evamell Sosa ’27
“Picking up a book has never seemed so hard,” said Hannah Schaeffer ’27 after looking at the picture above. [Picture in May 2025 Issue]
On April 5th, New Yorkers joined nationwide protesters of President Donald Trump’s policies. In response to President Trump’s “hostile takeover” and attack on American rights and freedom, the “Hands Off!” organization started a pro-democracy movement across all 50 states.
As of April 3rd, the Trump Administration ordered K-12 schools nationwide to certify within 10 days that they are complying with Trump’s interpretation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by ending any discriminatory DEI practices. Schools that refuse to comply do not receive federal funding, which accounts for about 6% of the total funding for New York K-12 schools. New York state officials have informed the Trump administration that they will not comply with its demands to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in public schools. This recent policy has left students and educators speechless and questioning what exactly will happen to the education system for future generations.
“My daughter’s school already struggles to support itself, whether it’s outdated bathrooms or funding new opportunities for colleges. So what will happen now?” asked Mercedes Pérez, a mother of a BHSEC student.
Another account highlights the harm President Trump’s new demand to end diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in public schools has inflicted on NYC. With about 4,500 K-12 schools, including charter schools, New York State has already faced difficulties providing enough funding for over 1.1 million NYC public school students.
Funding has not been the only concern for NYC residents. Republican governments across the nation are restricting access to books, particularly those by or about people of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals, in schools. In response to states working to limit access to diverse stories, all three library systems—New York, Brooklyn, and Queens—have launched a countermovement highlighting books banned in other states’ schools. Books currently in the spotlight include Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, 1984 by George Orwell, and more. These books are particularly significant to my community, as they are introduced to the BHSEC curriculum in ninth grade. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury has faced backlash for its vulgar language and themes of censorship and ignorance enforced by society, which some find offensive or inappropriate. This book is primarily known for its dystopian world that mirrors our current society, in which individuals are submissive to government control. It challenges readers to truly question our current reality by highlighting the irony of banning books, as Fahrenheit 451 discusses the burning of books as the erasure of truth. Literature with these complex themes is essential for starting conversations about how books like Bradbury’s reflect America’s social issues. However, restrictions from NYC schools, such as their removals from high school libraries, will prevent open discussions in schools about the state of our country, enforcing the same ignorance that promotes government control in Fahrenheit 451.
The Trump administration’s policy to end diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in public schools as a condition of receiving funding and restrictions on certain books for addressing “sensitive” topics have disproportionately affected under-resourced New Yorkers. My community consists of students from diverse backgrounds; funding for their schools’ DEI programs should not be viewed as a privilege but as a right. These students already confront challenges regarding their sense of belonging in school; DEI practices have proven effective in enhancing their engagement in social groups and helping them thrive academically. “I am currently a member of the Caribbean Alliance. I look forward to attending the club; it’s a fun space to share cultural practices and experiences we’ve had growing up,” stated a ninth grader ‘28, expressing great appreciation for the club’s safe environment. High schools across the state have clubs like these that connect students through shared experiences and school activities. The K-12 school budget cuts do not just impact the institutions themselves but also the community that relies on them for an education. Removing this fundamental right leaves students feeling lost without a safe space to return to, whether through a sport or a club that is now unavailable due to insufficient funding.
Currently, all of New York is pondering what comes next in this tumultuous period governed by President Trump's administration. Whether another protest is being organized for tomorrow or not, the future of this community's students and educators hangs in the balance.