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Georgia school district is banning books, citing sexual content, after firing a teacher

by Andrew Wright
3 comments
Book Bans

The school district in Georgia’s second-largest city has implemented a ban on certain books, citing concerns over their explicit sexual content. This decision follows the recent dismissal of a teacher who had read a book about gender identity to fifth-grade students, a move that was politically divisive as it aligned with the school board’s 4-3 party-line vote, reflective of the Republican majority. While the removal of books from school libraries is not a novel occurrence, there has been a notable increase in such actions since 2020. This phenomenon can be attributed to a broader backlash against the content that students encounter and discuss within public school settings.

Conservative groups have taken issue with books that explore themes related to sexuality, gender, race, and religion, deeming them inappropriate for young readers. They seek to limit access to these materials in order to safeguard children from what they perceive as objectionable content. This sentiment has resulted in numerous instances of book banning across the United States. In fact, PEN America, an organization advocating for freedom of expression, reported around 4,000 instances of banned books nationwide between July 2021 and December 2022.

Cobb County, boasting a student population of 106,000, recently revealed that it removed the books “Flamer” by Mike Curato and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews from 20 school libraries. “Flamer” is a graphic novel depicting a young boy’s journey of self-discovery as he grapples with his homosexuality and experiences at a summer camp. On the other hand, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” touches on sexual content and includes strong language, focusing primarily on the friendship between two high school boys and a girl who is terminally ill. Both books had been included in the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books in 2022.

The district’s officials have expressed their commitment to protecting students from content that they deem sexually explicit. John Floresta, the district’s chief strategy and accountability officer, emphasized that any material containing such content is entirely unacceptable within the school environment. This decision has prompted scrutiny of media specialists who purchased the books and inquiries into their rationale for doing so. There are concerns that these inquiries may precede disciplinary actions against the librarians responsible for stocking the books.

Educational professionals, like Jeff Hubbard, the president of the Cobb County Association of Educators, have voiced apprehension about the potential impact of this situation on teachers and librarians. They fear that a single parental complaint could jeopardize educators’ careers, prompting a climate of self-censorship in order to avoid controversy.

Nan Brown, an advocacy coordinator for the Georgia Media Library Association, highlighted the importance of enabling students to encounter a diverse range of characters and experiences in literature. She raised questions about the decision to remove “Flamer,” particularly since Georgia librarians had nominated it for a statewide award.

Despite the challenges posed by this situation, it is essential for educators to uphold a balance between ensuring the appropriateness of educational materials and fostering an environment that encourages exploration and understanding. It remains to be seen whether the removal of these books aligns with established policies or with a new state law governing book challenges. This issue has stirred debate over the proper handling of such matters and the potential implications for students’ access to diverse perspectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Book Bans

Why did the Georgia school district remove books from libraries?

The Georgia school district removed certain books from libraries due to concerns over their explicit sexual content and themes.

What prompted the increase in book removals since 2020?

The increase in book removals is a reaction to concerns from conservative groups about the content children are exposed to in public schools, especially related to sexuality, gender, race, and religion.

Which books were removed from Cobb County libraries?

Cobb County removed “Flamer” by Mike Curato and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews from its libraries due to their content and themes.

What is the controversy surrounding “Flamer” and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”?

“Flamer” addresses a boy’s discovery of his homosexuality, while “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” includes discussions of sex and profanity. Both books were among the most challenged in 2022.

How are educators responding to the book bans?

Educators are concerned that the book bans and related actions could lead to self-censorship and fears of parental complaints that might impact their careers.

Why is diversity in literature important?

Advocates emphasize that diverse literature allows students to see a range of experiences and perspectives, fostering understanding and empathy.

Are these book bans aligned with existing policies?

Questions have arisen about whether the book bans follow established policies or comply with a new state law governing book challenges.

What is the broader impact of this situation?

The book bans have sparked debates about censorship, educators’ autonomy, and students’ access to diverse viewpoints in the educational environment.

More about Book Bans

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3 comments

CarLover87 August 23, 2023 - 10:10 am

Wait, they’re bootin’ books ’cause they got some steamy bits? Come on, we read stuff way wilder than that in high school!

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JenSmith18 August 23, 2023 - 8:54 pm

whoa, this Georgia school district be takin’ books off shelves? kinda crazy, right? wonder what folks gonna say ’bout this move

Reply
EconGeek33 August 24, 2023 - 4:58 am

book bans, seriously? this ain’t helpin’ kids learn ’bout the real world. we need diverse stories, not just what some folks think’s “okay”

Reply

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