Free speech is one of America’s most important values, but in today’s politics censorship has become a tool for control. In North Carolina and across the country, politicians are banning books from libraries, restricting what teachers can say in classrooms, and even going after journalists and whistleblowers. On the other side, there are attempts to shut down political speech online and limit conversations that do not fit neatly into partisan boxes. These efforts may look different, but the result is the same: less trust, less information, and less freedom for the American people.

Jacob knows an open society requires open dialogue. Instead of letting politicians decide what information citizens can or cannot access, we must empower parents, teachers, and communities to engage with different ideas and perspectives. Protecting free expression while standing firmly against hate and disinformation ensures that North Carolina’s children grow up in a democracy rooted in truth, not control. Jacob will fight against censorship in all its forms because a strong democracy depends on more voices, not fewer.