Kids are back in school and the issues concerning US parents are overflowing.
One of the things on some parents’ minds is the banning of books, often ones related to gender identity and racial issues.
It’s a hot topic in hot Texas, where books are being banned in schools and even in libraries, and new policies are being released regarding books that children should read in school.
A Florida school district recently restricted library purchases on some topics, and an Oklahoma teacher resigned due to censorship of books in the classroom.
More than a dozen states are changing what kids are reading.
An advocacy group, called PEN America did an analysis of the trend, and saw that 19 states now have laws that deal with discussions about race, gender identity and American history. Thirty-six other states introduced bills in 2022, hoping to restrict topics discussed in schools.
The group found that 1,586 books were banned from July 2021 until March 2022, in 26 states. Texas had the most banned books, followed by Pennsylvania and Florida.
“The sweeping attempt to remove these titles from classrooms and libraries on the eve of a new school year is an appalling affront to students’ First Amendment rights. It is virtually impossible to run a school or a library that purges books in response to any complaint from any corner,” Jonathan Friedman, PEN America director of free expression and education programs, said in a statement.
One of the results of the book banning trend is that teachers are afraid to bring up controversial topics in school.
On the front lines are school librarians, who have to review books to see if they comply with regulations. In Missouri, there is a new law that criminalizes giving students books that have sexually explicit passages. If a school employee is in violation of the law, they can be charged with a misdemeanor and be subjected to up to one year in jail or a fine of $2,000.
The book banning is mostly pushed by conservative lawmakers. In Texas, a “critical race theory” law took effect in December, which says teachers are not allowed to discuss controversial topics, and the law is affecting decisions about books in school libraries. Critical race theory alleges that US social institutions such as the justice, educational and healthcare systems are racist in their applications of laws and regulations. Efforts to debate these issues are being squashed in the school system, while the woke movement is pushing for discussion and recognition of injustices in US society.
Which side are you on? For, against or in the middle?
